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 fight and at the end of the 12-round contest, Jack Catterall won by unanimous decision so to speak.
(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The match took place at Co-op Live in Manchester, England and was broadcast live on DAZN. This Southpaw vs Southpaw battle turned out to be a tale of two halves. Prograis appeared 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 fight was the proverbial feel out process, with Prograis being the more active fighter as he tried to establish his jab. The feeling out process carried over into the second round as both fighters tried to figure out the right range and distance.
In the final seconds of round 2, Prograis landed a solid left hand. Both fighters continued to move around, postulate and fall for most of the third round. In the closing seconds of the third, Catterall landed a sharp counter left hand shot.
Prograis finally found consistent success in round 5 as he landed the left hand on multiple occasions. As the 5th round drew to a close, Prograis landed a stiff jab that knocked Catterall off balance. Catterall’s glove touched the canvas and the referee ruled it a knockdown.
For the next three rounds, Prograis was still 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 that sent Prograis crashing to the canvas.
Prograis was able to get up, but in the final seconds of the ninth, Prograis was fooled a second time. During the last three rounds of the fight, Catterall was in complete control as he was able to dictate the scope and tempo of the fight.
When the bout came to an end, Chorley, Lancashire, England native Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) scored 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 chance to fight 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 Jack Catterall will face the winner of Paro vs Hitchins in the early part of 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, he should be number one in the WBO,” Hearn said. “I would also like to bring Teofimo Lopez to Manchester and give him a good kicking. I would like to see it, and Jack can do it.”
