Two months after they were originally set to face each other, Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis will finally share a ring as they prepare to compete for the WBO International Super Lightweight title at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
The pair were meant to go toe-to-toe in August but that fight fell through due to an injury to the British fighter.
The winner of Saturday’s clash will hope to compete for a world title in the first few months of 2025, with Regis a former world champion, while Catterall still holds aspirations of reaching the top.
Betting tips
Jack Catterall to by Decision or Technical Decision @ 8/15
Jack Catterall to win by Unanimous Decision @ 1/1
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Prograis a shadow of his former self
Former two-time world champion Prograis has enjoyed an incredible career, and while now 35, he will still claim he has plenty left in the tank. His form, however, suggests otherwise.
The southpaw has only lost twice in his career, with “Rougarou” beating the likes of Terry Flanagan, Abel Ramos, Julius Indongo, Kiryl Relikh and Jose Zepeda.
Prograis has only ever lost to two fighters, with Josh Taylor getting the better of him in 2019 while Devin Haney proved too good in December 2023.
The New Orleans fighter responded to that defeat to Taylor with five straight wins, but he failed to impress when beating Danielito Zorrilla in June 2023 before then losing to Haney by unanimous decision.
Haney schooled Prograis for 12 rounds, and there’s a real worry that Prograis has lost his ability to compete at the highest level.
Prograis still has a huge heart and a real desire to win, and 24 of his 29 victories have come via knockout, but he may struggle to pin Catterall down and hurt him.
Catterall’s world title dreams are close
When Catterall first faced Taylor in February 2022, many at ringside thought he had done more than enough to win. Controversial scorecards helped Taylor retain his world titles, but Catterall finally got revenge in May when he recorded a unanimous decision victory.
Like Taylor, Prograis’s best days are now behind him, but the same cannot be said of Catterall.
While there are more exciting fighters out there, not many are as consistent and relentless as Catterall. The Chorley fighter does everything so consistently well, and he is likely to keep Prograis at bay using his sharp jab and quick reactions.
While the neutrals will want Prograis to still have something left and his own pride may help get him through to the final bell, expect Catterall’s hand to be raised after a comfortable night at the office.
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