Jack Catterall paid ultimate tribute by Regis | Boxing News

Jack Catterall bounced back from a fifth-round knockdown to ground Regis Prograis twice, securing a unanimous factors victory over the American at Co-Op Live in Manchester. Chorley’s Catterall, who had beforehand misplaced to Scotland’s former world champion Josh Taylor, knocked down his super-lightweight rival Prograis twice in fast succession within the ninth spherical, resulting in a convincing win.

Prograis described the winner because the “the best” fighter he is confronted during his 32-bout profession, having beforehand taken on the likes of Devin Haney and Taylor – Catterall’s former rival. The judges scored the competition 117-108, 116-109, 116-109 in favour of Catterall, with the 31-year-old profitable the WBO International belt and shifting nearer to a world title shot.

After 4 uneventful opening rounds, Catterall was caught off guard by a left cross within the fifth, which landed on his temple, and after being hit again with a proper hook, his glove touched the ground and he was given a standing rely. Prograis continued to press the assault within the sixth as each fighters engaged in some brutal exchanges.

Catterall was handled for a cut on his hairline on the finish of the seventh, however simply as Prograis started to gain momentum, Catterall made a robust comeback within the ninth. A wonderfully timed left cross despatched Prograis to the canvas and earlier than he might get well, one other highly effective left put him down again. Both fighters threw warning to the wind, but it surely was Catterall who completed stronger, with Prograis wanting unsteady on his toes for the final three rounds.

Catterall has now 30 of his 31 fights, together with his solely defeat coming towards Taylor in February 2022. That was a controversial loss for the Englishman, as many critics thought the cut up choice ought to’ve gone in his favour. Had Catterall acquired the judges’ nod, he’d have develop into the undisputed light-welterweight champion.

Remarkably, Catterall hasn’t obtained a title shot since his slender loss to Taylor. He’s since defeated Darragh Foley, Jorge Linares and Taylor in a rematch – however the latter had misplaced all of his belts by the time they met again.

As for former super-lightweight champion Prograis, his document is now 29-3. He stated after Saturday’s combat: “Jack was just better, that’s all. Jack was the better man, I’m not gonna lie. He definitely deserves a world title fight next. Good luck Jack. You’re really good. I’ve fought the best and you were the best out of all of them.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “This guy is probably the most underrated fighter in the world. In 11 months he’s beat Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor (and) now Regis Prograis. All in 11 months. This man needs a world title shot next.”