Over the past 12 months, Jack Catterall has beaten a respected modern great and settled a simmering grudge with a former undisputed champion. On Saturday night he takes on a two-time world ruler.
Plenty of boxing fans have understandably been quick to celebrate the fact that such bodies of work have become more viable since the sport’s influx of Riyadh Season cash. But Catterall’s run against Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor and, this Saturday, Regis Prograis has felt like something of a throwback.
Headlining three arenas in major UK cities — Liverpool for Linares, Leeds for Taylor and the inaugural boxing event at Manchester’s Co-op Live — has called to mind the sort of schedules Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe kept two decades ago, where promoters paid good money to bring in overseas challengers and set up headline nights for their top domestic attractions.
After serving a long apprenticeship, Catterall is undoubtedly in that category right now. The Chorley southpaw is an elite British fighter who has plotted a long and as-yet unfulfilled journey towards world glory.
WATCH: Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis, live on DAZN
“Selfishly, for me, it’s probably been the best 12 months of my career since signing for Matchroom and DAZN,” he told The Sporting News. “I’ve been kept active. This will be my third arena fight in the UK. We’ve done Liverpool, Leeds and it’s Manchester next.
“We’ve seen a lot of big fights going over to Saudi with Riyadh Season and I think it’s good for boxing, we’re seeing a lot of fights getting made that weren’t getting made 18 months ago.”
But does that mean ‘El Gato’ is effectively flying the flag for primetime UK Saturday night fights?
“In some respects, I’m trying,” he replied. “You’ve seen some of the bigger headline names in Saudi and America. You get ups and downs in boxing. Maybe certain fighters have retired and finished now and you’ve got a new wave coming through.
“You find yourself in a different situation. I’m grateful for the fights I’ve been able to put on.”
There are few better to be made at 140 lbs than Catterall vs. Prograis. The Englishman’s saga with Taylor saw him share 24 rounds with the first man to beat Prograis as a professional. Devin Haney was the second back in January. If he prevails, Catterall will be joining rarified company.
At the same time, the task at hand against the big-punching American is a thankless one. Prograis turns 36 in January and if he is unable to get his shots off as he was when faced with another accomplished defensive fighter in Haney, there will be claims Catterall saw off a shopworn foe who had seen better days.
“Regis is a tremendous fighter, I’ve seen him boxing a couple of times live,” the 31-year-old said. “We’ve been watching him for the last couple of years, probably since just before the Taylor fight that he had. It’s been nice to focus on a different opponent, albeit another southpaw.
“I expected more from him [against Haney], especially after the talk in the build-up. His last two performances probably haven’t been his best. Haney just looked a lot fresher, sharper. He wasn’t pulling the trigger, closing the distance. Hopefully he’s been away, made some adjustments and can bring something.”
MORE: Regis Prograis reveals Roberto Duran inspiration for Jack Catterall mission
On the other hand, with the four championship belts scattered at super lightweight, Saturday’s fight is Catterall’s ticket to a world title shot. He was denied undisputed glory when Taylor farcically got the nod with a split-decision verdict back in February 2022. By the time their rematch eventually came around, stripped titles and Taylor’s maiden career loss meant there was only pride on the line.
Matchroom stablemates Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchens clash for the Australian’s IBF title in Puerto Rico in December and the winner would be an obvious opponent for Catterall. If he loses to Prograis, it could be a long way back for a seasoned southpaw with excellent feet and a shrewd ring IQ. Who wants that work if they don’t have to take it?
“It’s a great division, it’s wide open. I’m in a good position knowing that all four belts are split up,” he said.
“There are a lot of great fights. I love the Liam Paro fight, I think he’s a good fighter. You’d probably put the Teofimo fight at the top of the list, again another fight that I’d love to have in the future.
“They’re all world champions for a reason. There’s been a few upsets along the way. These are the fights I want to get involved in; first and foremost I’ve got a big fight against Regis.
“Outside of the four world champions, you’d put me and Regis closest to the top in that pecking order. My division’s stacked. You’ve got Arnold Barboza vs. Jose Ramirez next month. There’s a lot of good fights to be made.”
WATCH: Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis, live on DAZN
Catterall added: “There could have been easier options but I’ve been banging on for the last couple of years that I want these big fights, big nights. It’s Regis Prograis, it’s not for a world title but it’s certainly worthy of one.”
If he beats Prograis in style and makes Co-op Live his new home, Catterall will ensure more of the big nights that he and UK fight fans so desperately want.
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