Super-lightweight contender Jack Catterall and former two-time world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis both decided to roll the dice and face each other in a high-stakes battle and at the conclusion of the 12-round contest, Jack Catterall won by way of unanimous decision.
(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The bout took place at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, and it aired live on DAZN. This southpaw vs. southpaw battle turned out to be a tale of two halves. Prograis seemed to be in control during the first half of the fight, but Catterall was able to steal the momentum and coast to a decisive win.
The opening round of the bout was the proverbial feeling-out process, in which Prograis was the more active fighter as he attempted to establish his jab. The feeling-out process carried over into the second round as both fighters tried to figure out the proper range and distance.
In the final seconds of round 2, Prograis landed a solid left hand. Both fighters continued to move around, posture, and feint for the majority of the third round. In the closing seconds of the third, Catterall landed a sharp counter left-hand shot.
Prograis finally experienced consistent success in round 5 as he landed the left hand on multiple occasions. As the 5th round was coming to a close, Prograis landed a stiff jab that knocked Catterall off balance. Catterall’s glove touched the canvas and the referee ruled it as a knockdown.
For the next three rounds, Prograis continued to be the aggressor, but Catterall was effectively fighting off the back foot and landing the cleaner shots. In the ninth round, Catterall landed a sharp left-hand shot that sent Prograis down to the canvas.
Prograis was able to get up, but in the final seconds of the ninth, Prograis was floored a second time. During the final three rounds of the bout, Catterall was in complete control as he was able to dictate the range and pace of the fight.
As the match came to a close, the Chorley, Lancashire, England native Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) earned a convincing unanimous decision victory by the scores of 117-108, 116-109, and 116-109. With the victory, Catterall should be in line for a shot at fighting one of the champions at 140.
IBF super-lightweight world champion Liam Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) is scheduled to defend his title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 7th against Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs). There is a good chance that Jack Catterall will face the Paro vs Hitchins winner in the early part of 2025.
Jack Catterall has a great chance of fighting for the IBF world title, but since Catterall defeated Prograis and won the WBO International title, promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Catterall should target the current WBO 140-pound world champion.
“For me, this WBO belt, he should be number one with the WBO,” Hearn said. “I would love to bring Teofimo Lopez to Manchester as well and give him a good ass kicking. I would love to see that, and Jack can do it.”
