Catterall deserves world title shot - and one fight offers perfect risk-reward
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Jack Catterall figured out Regis Prograis after six rounds at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester late Saturday night, and when he did, he showcased his exceptional skills.
Catterall secured a convincing points victory, demonstrating his experience as he ramped up the pressure on Prograis, who was starting to wear down. In the ninth round, Catterall knocked the American down to the canvas twice with powerful punches.
Prograis knocked Catterall down in the fifth round, and after about six or seven rounds into the match, he may have been either tied or slightly ahead on points. Catterall got caught while he was throwing a punch, and almost went down for a knockdown, with his glove just brushing the canvas. Although he wasn’t injured, it was a clear sign that Prograis had the power to cause damage.
The sixth, seventh, and eighth rounds were tough for both fighters. Prograis was starting to tire, while Catterall was closing in on him. In the ninth round, Catterall managed to close the distance and caught Prograis with an impressive left-cross counter that knocked him down. Prograis hit the canvas but quickly got back up, with only 41 seconds remaining in the round. He managed to remain on his feet until just before the bell, when he was knocked down again. The round ended with him taking a count, but he managed to make it through. However, the momentum of the fight had clearly shifted.
Prograis struggled to maintain his balance, tripping over his heavy boots and occasionally stumbling in a concerning manner. Catterall capitalized on this, landing precise punches without missing a beat, and he dominated the last three rounds to earn a unanimous decision on all three scorecards. The final score may have seemed lopsided, but the ninth round was notably scored 10-7 in favor of Catterall, which significantly impacted the overall outcome.
“No more excuses,” Prograis remarked. “Jack simply outperformed me. Maybe I should consider switching to bare-knuckle boxing. The rounds are shorter, and maybe that suits me better. Jack was impressive—truly exceptional; he’s the toughest opponent I’ve faced.” This was the American’s third defeat in 32 matches, and by the end, he clearly showed the weight of his 35 years.
Catterall has an exciting opportunity ahead, with a chance to compete for a world title in 2025, a right he has certainly earned. Many fans are still upset about the controversial decision from February 2022, when he lost to Josh Taylor by points for all four major world championship belts. In May of this year, Catterall faced Taylor again and emerged victorious in their rematch, which was crucial for him, although it didn’t come with any world titles. His recent fight against Prograis was for the WBO's International title in the light-welterweight division.
Catterall's journey to a world title fight depends on the promoters who negotiate the agreements, and it appears that there are multiple promising possibilities. All Catterall wants is the opportunity to fight. However, Saturday night demonstrated that he has the ability to draw in a crowd in his local area. Hosting a world title match featuring Catterall at the Co-op could attract a lot of attention and provide a much-needed lift to a domestic boxing scene that really requires more talent instead of just unusual headliners. There's no doubt about it—Catterall is the real deal.
He has a range of choices in his weight class, with multiple fighters currently holding different versions of the world title. Additionally, there are some exciting potential British matchups on the horizon that fans would love to see. In this newfound era of cooperation in British boxing, where rivals collaborate, virtually every fight is a possibility at some point.
In December, Liam Paro from Australia will defend his IBF title in Puerto Rico against Richardson Hitchins. This event is organized by Matchroom, which also promotes Catterall. Setting up a matchup with the winner should be straightforward.
Facing off against WBO champion Teofimo Lopez would certainly attract a lot of attention, and Catterall would enter the ring as a notable underdog. Yet, given Catterall's skill and composure, he has the potential to secure a stylish victory. It appears that this is the matchup promoter Eddie Hearn is eager to arrange. Lopez is known for his unpredictable nature—when he's at his best, he shines, but he can also struggle and fall short. This makes it a perfect opportunity for Catterall to take a chance.
On Saturday evening, in Manchester's new boxing venue, Catterall truly embodied the role of a local champion. His performance sent a strong signal to any lightweight considering a trip to Manchester. It’s possible that Catterall will finally receive the recognition he deserves—he appeared to be a formidable contender in his match against Prograis.
