Super-lightweight contender Jack Catterall and former two-time world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis have both decided to roll the dice and face each other in a high-stakes battle at the end of the 12-way contest round, Jack Catterall won by road. of unanimous decision.
(Credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
The match took place at Co-op Live in Manchester, England and 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 victory.
The opening round of the bout was the proverbial trial of feeling, in which Prograis was the more active fighter as he attempted to establish his jab. The feeling process carried over into the second round as both fighters tried to calculate the appropriate distance and distance.
In the closing seconds of round 2, Prograis landed a solid left hand. Both fighters continued to move, postulate and feint for most of the third round. In the final seconds of the third, Catterall landed a sharp counter-left hand.
Prograis finally experienced consistent success in round 5 as he landed left hands on multiple occasions. As the 5th round drew to a close, Prograis landed a stiff jab that floored Catterall. Catterall’s glove touched the canvas and the referee ruled it a knockdown.
For the next three rounds, Prograis continued to be the aggressor, but Catterall was effectively fighting on the back foot and landing the cleaner shots. In the ninth round, Catterall landed a hard left hand that sent Prograis to the canvas.
Prograis was able to get up, but in the final seconds of the ninth, Prograis was down a second time. During the last three rounds of the bout, Catterall was in complete control as he was able to dictate the range and pace of the fight.
When the match came to an end, Chorley, Lancashire, England native Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) earned a convincing unanimous decision victory with scores of 117-108, 116-109 and 116-109 . With the win, 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 7 against Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs). There is a good chance that Jack Catterall will face the winner of Paro vs Hitchins in early 2025.
Jack Catterall has a great chance to fight for the IBF world title, but since Catterall defeated Prograis and won the WBO international title, promoter Eddie Hearn suggested that Catterall should target the current WBO 140-pound world champion .
“For me, this WBO belt, it has to be number one with the WBO,” said Hearn. “I would like to bring Teofimo Lopez to Manchester as well and give him a good ass. I would like to see that, and Jack can do it.
