Catterall scores 2 hard knockdowns vs. Prograis, wins wide decision
Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn promises him world title shot next
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While the junior welterweight fight between former world title challenger Jack Catterall and two-time world titlist Regis Prograis on Saturday was not an official title eliminator, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, their promoter, promised beforehand that he would secure a title opportunity for the winner.
That man was Catterall, who suffered a flash knockdown in the fifth round but scored two hard knockdowns in the ninth round en route to a clear unanimous decision in the main event of the DAZN card at the new Co-op Live, which hosted its first boxing event, in Manchester, England.
Catterall, essentially fighting a home as he hails from nearby Chorley, won 117-108, 116-109 and 116-109 to finish the year with three wins, including a unanimous decision in his previous fight in May against former undisputed champion Josh Taylor — who controversially outpointed Catterall in a 2022 title defense — and Prograis to set up a probable title shot versus the winner of the fight between IBF titlist Liam Paro and mandatory challenger Richardson Hitchins. They headline a Matchroom Boxing card on Dec. 7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“I’m pleased. It was a big occasion for me, a big event, the opening of Co-op Live (for boxing), a tremendous fighter in Regis, so I knew I had to be on my game,” Catterall said. “Regis come tonight and he gave me a hell of a fight. So, I’m happy with that.”
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