After rising himself from the canvas, Jack Catterall delivered two knockdowns of his own to secure a wide points victory over Regis Prograis to commemorate the first boxing show to be held at the Co-op Live arena, in Manchester.
The judges ruled the super-lightweight fight 117-108 and 116-109 (X2) in Catterall’s favour, which now positions him in-line for a world title shot next.
The first four rounds were very cagey, both fighters were hesitant to throw and few meaningful shots were landed.
Prograis knocked Catterall down in the fifth round; however, this was more of a flash knockdown, and the man from Chorley was not hurt.
Knowing that he was potentially down on the scorecards, Catterall began to throw more combinational punches, edging the next few rounds.
It all changed in round nine when Catterall knocked ‘Rougarou’ down with a textbook left hand down the pipe.
Catterall then landed another left hand to knock his opponent down again, securing a huge 10-7 round.
As the fight seemingly was edging away from 35-year-old Prograis, he severely tired and lost all three of the final rounds.
2024 has proved to be a big year in Catterall’s career, after gaining revenge over Josh Taylor in May, this adds another big name to his CV, which surely now sets him up to finally win a world title.
“I’m pleased, it was a big occasion for me, I knew I had to be on my game. (The knockdown) It felt like a slip and Jamie (his trainer) said we were starting to slip behind but I knew I couldn’t take too many gambles. I came back into it, scored the two knockdowns and progressed from there. Eddies the man, I want a world title next.”
For Prograis, it could be the end of his illustrious carreer.
After two defeats in his last three fights to Devin Haney and now Jack Catterall, while disappointed to lose, he was extremley complimentary of his opponent.
”Jack was the better man, he deserves a world title fight. Jack is probably the best I’ve fought. I had my time in the sun and it is now time to turn over to him.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed plans for Catterall to get his world title shot next.
”In the words of Sam Jones, right hand to God this man needs a world title shot next. We have Liam Paro fighting Richardson Hitchins, the winner of that fight will be put straight forward to fight Catterall next. I would love to also bring Teofimo Lopez to Manchester and give him a good a*** kicking.”
Whatever happens, it looks for all the world like Catterall’s next fight will be for a world title.
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