Eddie Hearn hopes to lure WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo López to Manchester. After Jack’s victory Catterall last night (October 26) over Regis Progress.
Catterall defeated Prograis in what seemed like a dull affair at first. Although the match soon flared up in the second half, fans inside the new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester were treated to a great fight after Prograis dropped Catterall in Round 5. Catterall came back. Standing up and continuing to fight for the majority of the fight, dropping Prograis twice in the nine.
“First of all, we all need firefighting, right?” Hearn said. “After three or four rounds, I began to think ‘This is terrible’ I don’t mind watching fights like that because I find them fascinating. However, 8,000 people there just wanted to shed tears.
“Suddenly, the knockdown happened. And it started to pick up a bit in the fifth period. Half way I’m very close Maybe Regis just got a knockdown and suddenly Jack changes fights. This changes the level of excitement.”
Progress, now 35, is in league with some of the best fighters in the division. After he narrowly lost to Josh Taylor in 2019 and lost to Devin. Haney Last year, while Haney was clearly the man who bested Prograis, it was Catterall who he cited as the best he had ever fought.
(Prograis) said afterward. ‘This is the best guy I’ve ever fought by a mile,’” Hearn said. “I think Jack Catterall is one of the most underrated fighters in the world. I think sometimes his casual style means they don’t necessarily understand how great he is.”
In the ring after the match Hearn calls for Catterall to win world title And made it clear who his dream choice would be: “I would like to take Teofimo. López also came to Manchester. and kicked his ass,” Hearn said.
Hearn later admitted that bringing López to Manchester would be difficult given the pair’s history. López feels the lightweight title was unfairly taken away from him when he lost to George. Kambosos on Matchroom Boxing in 2021
“As for Teofimo López, I said we wanted to slap him. But he’s a really good fighter,” Hearn said. “He’s a big star. And I doubt he will come to Manchester. But it might take some time. Imagine leading Teofimo. López, come to the UK, look.”
“It is unlikely that Teofimo López will come to England,” he added. “He still blames me for George Kambosos’ loss when we promote the show in Madison Square Garden. If it’s 12 rounds, I’ll leave the field before the actual score is read.
“Jack sits at number two (with the WBO), I think this will bring him closer to number one. Who knows what Teofimo will do? I see him likely moving up to 147; He has a legal dispute with Top Rank. Maybe Jack will fight the winner of Barbosa and Ramirez for the vacant title.”
Hearn admits a home matchup with IBF champion winner Liamparo and Richardson Hitchins It’s probably the safest bet in terms of securing Catterall.
“We have two people fighting for the IBF title on December 7 in Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins,” Hearn said. “Okay, can we bring a world title fight here? Of course Liam Paro was going to say that. ‘What about Australia?’ That’s obviously something we’ll have to consider as well.
“If Hitchins wins, he will say, ‘What about New York?’ which is something we will look at as well. Jack is in a great position, when you look at his last 11 months, Linares, Taylor, Progress, he really deserves a chance.”
