Jack Catterall insists that he is ready to reap the rewards of a lifetime of hard work and finally become a world champion after beating Regis Prograis. 

Catterall, 30-1 (13 KOs), and Prograis engaged in a high-class battle at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on Saturday. A technical chess match exploded into life over the second half of the contest, and although he had to pick himself up from a flash fifth-round knockdown, Catterall dropped Prograis heavily twice in the ninth and seized control of the fight from that point onwards.

After 12 rounds most observers felt that Catterall had done more than enough over the final third to clearly win a good, close fight, but the 31 year old has learned not to put his trust in the hands of the judges. In 2022 he was denied the undisputed super-lightweight crown despite appearing to outbox and outfight Josh Taylor. 

This time he needn’t have worried. The judges failed to reward Prograis for some good work over the first two thirds of the fight, and awarded Catterall, from Chorley, a wide, unanimous decision. 

Catterall gave Prograis more credit than the three ringside judges when he reflected on their fight, but he reiterated his belief that he did more than enough to win. 

“It’s a strange feeling and in the rematch [with Taylor] in my previous fight, the decision was read quite quickly but on Saturday it did feel like there was some time between the 12th bell and the decision being read,” he told Talksport.

“I knew I was in a tough fight – we had a couple of close rounds early on and Regis nicked a couple of rounds but I did feel I came on strong and did enough to get the victory on Saturday, so I was confident.

“I had to dig deep. Regis is a very, very experienced fighter and a two-time world champion [with] a lot of knockouts, and we knew he was strong so it was a tough fight but I was always confident that I wasn’t being denied on Saturday. It was my chance to book a world-title shot.”

Throughout the build-up, the fight between Catterall and Prograis was billed as an unofficial final eliminator for one of the junior-welterweight world titles. The name most frequently mentioned as the prize for the the winner was that of the IBF champion Liam Paro.

The talented Richardson Hitchins will have plenty to say about that when he fights Paro in Puerto Rico on December 7, but at this stage of his career, Catterall shouldn’t have any reluctance about facing any of the champions. 

Where he entered the first fight with Taylor believing that he was world class, he will enter his second title fight knowing that he is, and that belief will only have been bolstered by beating Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor and Prograis over the past 12 months. 

“It’s still quite fresh,” he said. “There’s been small conversations since the weekend. There are a couple of champions. We love the Teofimo [Lopez] fight. We love the Liam Paro fight. I’m gonna leave that work to Mr Sam Jones and Eddie Hearn but I’ll be ready. I’m confident – and I was told – that this fight would guarantee me a world-title fight. I was all in – I won the fight and I’m confident that they’ll deliver for me.”

Few fighters deserve a title fight more than Catterall. Not withstanding his recent run of form and his controversial defeat by Taylor, Catterall has been a contender for years. He was installed as the WBO number one when Maurice Hooker held the title all the way back in 2019, and he has stayed professional throughout some lean periods.

“I’m manifesting it,” he said. “I’ve said it before but this isn’t 10, 12, 15 weeks’ worth of work. This is a lifetime’s worth of work. I feel like with the momentum that I’ve had now over the past year, I’m in prime position for a world title.”

Samuel Arnold III was set to face Mohamed Zawadi in a light heavyweight bout in London, Ontario, Canada, over the weekend – but the fight didn’t go as planned. 

Arnold took to Instagram from a hospital bed, sharing details of an unexpected health scare that forced him out of the ring.

“Well, basically, what happened was, I was on the airplane, I had some medical complications, and they had to rush me to the hospital here in New York,” Arnold said, medical monitors visible around him. 

At 10-0 (6 KOs), the 21-year-old boxer from Dallas, Texas Arnold had been training for months to take on Zawadi, 9-1 (8 KOs), a Canadian prospect promoted by Lee Baxter. The matchup was set to be Arnold’s second fight of the year, and his second at light heavyweight.

“I have no reason to train a full training camp and pull out of a fight because I’m scared,” Arnold said, addressing doubts circulating among fans. “I try to be a respectful boxer and respect all boxers, especially my opponents. But you know, the guy who I’m fighting, his fans are really playing on my character.”

Arnold explained his situation a bit more. “I had an irregular EKG and what you call a ‘STEMI,’ which is almost like someone having a heart attack,” Arnold said. “That’s super unusual for someone in good shape, my age, so they didn’t clear me to fight.”

For now, Arnold’s focus is on his recovery. But he made it clear that any suggestion of fear or lack of readiness was far from the truth. “I just wanted to clear a few things up,” Arnold said, ensuring fans understood the gravity of the situation.

In Friday’s tournament draw for the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships, the 12 boxers who will compete for Team USA learned the identities of their first-round opponents and their respective paths to gold.

The tournament, which began Friday and is scheduled to take place through next Saturday at the Pueblo Convention Center in Pueblo, Colorado, will feature 10 weight divisions each on the men’s and women’s sides.

To open competition for Team USA, Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, fell to India’s Chanchal Chaudary in a 48kg bout, while Shamiracle Hardaway, of Lagrange, Georgia, outpointed Germany’s Penelope Grochau in a 60kg contest, 4-1, to advance to the medal round.

Emmanuel Chance, of East Orange, New Jersey, will open competition for Team USA’s men. Chance, competing at 55kg, received a bye and will face the winner of a bout between South Korea’s Juan Jin and Brazil’s Kelvy da Trindade. Chance won silver at the 2023 Youth International Invitational in Germany.

Also competing will be Staten Island, New York’s Laila Zakirova, who will fight the Philippines’ Xian Baguhin at 51 kg.

Additionally, Lorenzo Patricio, of Waianae, Hawaii, will represent Team USA at 50kg (first-round bye) and box the winner of Japan’s Seiya Nakayam and Australia’s Beau Piggott. Violet Lopez, of Milwaukee (first-round bye) will face England’s Caitlyn Wise at 54kg. At 70kg, Malachi Ross, of Grandview, Missouri, earned a bye and will meet the winner of Germany’s Festim Nimani and India’s Sumit Sumit. Joseph Awinongya, of Joliet, Illinois, will take on Australia’s Connor Anerson at 75kg. Elijah Lugo, of Marietta, Georgia, will go head-to-head with Italy’s Cristian Sarsilli at 80kg. And at heavyweight (90kg), Rishon Sims, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, will face Germany’s Eris Andi Lushtaku. Sims won gold at the 2023 International Invitational.

The lone Team USA fighter with a Tuesday start is Dallas’ Mesiah Nimo, who, with a first-round bye, will face the victor of Czech Republic’s Simon Stojka Republic and Kazakhstan’s Assylkhan Kosherbay at 65kg.

Cleveland’s Nevaeh Williams, who received a bye, will face the winner of the Netherlands’ Aaliyah Hoppema and New Zealand’s Renee Doole. Due to the bye, Williams is already in the medal round and will receive at least a bronze medal.

Former junior lightweight Andy Vences admitted he found himself in a dark place after retiring from his unanimous decision loss to Leonardo Padilla in June 2023. Now, Vences is ready to launch the next chapter of his career. 

Stone Boxing will hold its grand opening on November 9 at 385 E. Taylor St., San Jose, California, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony and sparring exhibitions.

Inspired by his former manager Herb Stone – who managed fighters from Northern California, including flyweight Bruno Escalante and junior welterweight Jonathan Chicas – Vences aims to pass on the values Stone instilled in him.

“When I decided to start, something needed to be done,” Vences said. “The whole team left the gym I was at, and it clicked in my head. We needed a home where everyone could come together. That’s really what started the idea. We can make a family gym where we’d all be welcome, with nobody dictating what or how we have to do things.”

Vences, who retired with a record of 23-5-1 (12 KOs), wanted a name for the gym that honored Stone.“Back when I was an average boxer out of the Bay Area, I met him at Third Street Gym while sparring Jonathan Chicas,” Vences said. “We talked, and I got a good vibe. Later, I signed with him, and years ago, my friend [and trainer] Angel Cordon suggested we call the gym “Stone Boxing” as a tribute. My wife reminded me of the idea. Our team stands for passion, respect, and loyalty.”

To honor Herb Stone’s influence, Andy Vences and his team chose the name "Stone Boxing," emphasizing the values Stone instilled. Vences also plans to integrate drills and exercises he’s learned from mentors, including Cordon and his strength and conditioning coach, cutman Mike Bazzel, along with track coach Remi Korchemny, who trained him under Victor Conte’s SNAC System sponsorship. Vences aims to help the next generation build explosive power and boxing fundamentals.

“I made sure to design the gym to cater to everyone,” Vences said. “One side is for classes, and the other is for fighters, so those in competition can focus without distraction. If you’re competing, you should have a more focused space to improve your skills.”

Vences shared details of the gym's design, with equipment chosen to match his professional experience. “Everything in there is top-tier,” Vences said. “Just the heavy bags, mats, and shipping ran about $26,000, with custom bags for Stone Boxing. I also invested in a Grodex speed bag and the Ryan Garcia reflex bag, along with other equipment.”

Fortunately, Vences had the support of his fight team and family investors who believes in the vision. “We have a fight team, and all their fathers helped me build the gym,” Vences said. “They set up the mats, brackets, and ring. Their support made it all possible, so instead of spending $80,000, I probably spent around $60,000.”

Bob Santos is looking forward to a rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol with keen interest and anticipates another close encounter between the Russian greats.

Earlier this month Beterbiev, 39, triumphed over 33-year-old Bivol in a close undisputed light heavyweight championship fight which saw judges award the former a 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114 majority decision victory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Santos says the rematch could be different, but only if one of the two fighters manages to land a surprise shot to change the dynamics of the bout.

“I think it's gonna be very similar to the first fight,” Santos told BoxingScene. “Although, again, this is boxing and anybody could get hit with something that turns the fight around. 

“So, unless one of them can land a big shot on the other one to really kinda get them in trouble or wane during the fight, I think it'll be much more as it went the first time. And then it's just gonna come down to what the judges like.”

The choice of the judges to award Beterbiev, 21-0 (20), a majority decision win last time out split opinion, with many feeling Bivol, 23-1 (12), deserved a narrow win. Bivol had started the bout well, winning the opening rounds, but then Beterbiev took over the middle part of the fight.

“I would have been okay with a draw, and I'm okay with Beterbiev winning,” said Santos. “I feel like some of the rounds are very subjective. It was a very close fight. I could see how they gave it to him. By no means was it a robbery one way or the other.

“If they were to give it to the other guy, it's not a robbery. When you have two guys at the elite level that are so competitive, it's very difficult for the judges.”

When asked if he thinks Bivol gave the fight away in the final rounds, Santos affirmed that notion.

“I do think he either was a little bit tired or he did kinda give away the later rounds. I mean, early on, I definitely had Bivol winning. But that being said, Beterbiev still won a couple rounds in those first six, and then the middle rounds were very hard to score. 

“And then at the very end, the first round is just as important as the 12th. There's no two ways about it. They all scored the same but going down the stretch, you had to know the fight was very close. And for whatever reason, either he was a little bit tired or he thought he was up on the scorecards and he didn't have to engage, and, ultimately, that's what cost him the fight.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com .

At 36, Belfast’s Padraig 'The Hammer' McCrory might be seen as past his prime by some, but he feels more alive than ever heading into his light heavyweight bout with Leonard Carrillo at Belfast’s SSE Arena. The fight, airing Friday on the ProBox TV app, marks McCrory’s return to the ring following a sixth-round knockout loss to Edgar Berlanga in February.

“Yeah, listen, I'm 36 now,” McCrory, 18-1 (9 KOs), told ProBox TV. “The experience was great, and I think I’ll learn from it, but the performance that night just wasn’t good enough. I don’t think I showed up.”

Carrillo, 17-5 (16 KOs), hails from Barranquilla, Colombia, but now fights out of Barcelona, Spain. At 35, the southpaw power puncher has fought only once in 2024, securing a second-round TKO over Luis Guillermo Berrio. Though McCrory acknowledges Carrillo’s dangerous skill set, he’s also drawing from the Berlanga bout, which gave him worldwide exposure.

“He’s a southpaw with 16 knockouts and fought at a really good level as an amateur,” McCrory said. “I’ve boxed plenty of southpaws in the amateurs and a couple as a pro, so I know I can adapt and do what’s needed to win. But yeah, he has 16 KOs, so I’m going to need to be switched on. He probably sees me as a chance to get a big fight, and I can’t let that happen.”

McCrory balances boxing with a personal training business, not relying solely on his fight career for his living and career. “I’m only 19 fights in, and over the last six and a half years, we had two years where nothing really happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I still have a deep desire to test myself against the best, and I feel I didn’t do that against Berlanga.”

Despite setbacks, McCrory’s ambitions are set high, aiming for title contention in the super middleweight division.

“I take it fight by fight, but I have a three-fight plan to get back into title contention,” McCrory said. “Who knows what will happen with Canelo? He could move up, challenge Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev, and those belts could be spread out. My aim is to get back in the world rankings and into position for a big opportunity.”

The great thing about exhaustion and desperation is their ability to rob a boxer’s capacity to think, concentrate, and keep away from danger. Sometimes in a fight involving two thinkers, particularly southpaws, the inevitability of exhaustion and desperation is a welcome and often vital way of turning a stalemate into an actual fight. 

This proved the case again this evening (October 26) in a super lightweight fight between Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis in Manchester. For six rounds a fight of high quality but low output, the two fighters eventually came to life in the bout’s second half, by which point both were desperate to assert dominance and both were naturally starting to get tired. This dynamic alone produced a few more punches, a few more mistakes, and ultimately two ninth-round knockdowns which shifted the momentum in Catterall’s favour and made Prograis an even more desperate man in the final three rounds. 

Until then, the pair had been difficult to separate. Counterpunchers by trade, both were waiting for an opportunity to land and both were at times waiting too long, especially in the early going. By round nine, in fact, the round in which Catterall turned the fight on its head, the punch stats made for quite telling reading, with Catterall landing just 44 punches through eight rounds and Prograis landing 48. 

In terms of the ones landing, most were left hands from the southpaw stance. Catterall’s tended to be straighter, and typically thrown following a jab, while Prograis had more of a propensity to loop his and ensure the punch had a somewhat wilder trajectory. Regardless, both shots were clever and effective when thrown. In round three, for example, Catterall scored with the first big punch of the night when he nailed Prograis as the American rolled forward without thinking. This was then matched by a good overhand left by Prograis in the next round, the fourth, which acted as the cue for him to be more aggressive and push Catterall back. He was, at this point, the looser of the two, and seemingly the more relaxed. He would feint a lot before punching and appeared, on the face of it, to be gaining some kind of foothold in the contest. 

This feeling was then solidified in the fifth round when Prograos pushed a hard jab in the direction of Catterall’s neck and Catterall, upon taking it, touched the canvas with his glove. His leg, it’s true, had buckled beneath him, but at no stage did Catterall ever look hurt by the punch or anything other than frustrated. Nevertheless, slip or stumble, the knockdown was counted and Prograis would build on this success in the sixth round, responding to an aggressive Catterall burst in the final 30 seconds by catching him clean with a counter right hook. 

Before that round, Jamie Moore, Catterall’s coach, had implored his man to gain Prograis’ respect and not allow him to march forward unopposed and this advice would set the foundation for what was to come. In round seven, both men picked up a cut following a head clash (Catterall’s high on his head; Prograis’ over his right eye), and then in the eighth Catterall displayed far greater composure to land his left hand on more one occasion. Less inclined now to skitter, or pull away from Prograis’ attacks, Catterall was instead standing his ground and digging in, doing precisely as he had been told in the corner. 

By round nine, with the output of both a little on the miserly side, Catterall suddenly came to life. He realised, perhaps, that he could do more than just think his way through this fight and that once levels of exhaustion and desperation created better openings, there would be an opportunity for him to make both a dent in Prograis and a statement via the manner of victory. To beat Prograis was one thing, but to do so in style, and either hurt, drop, or stop him, represented clear progression for Catterall; someone who has now and again faced criticism for winning in a fashion less satisfying for the audience than it is for him. 

The ninth, for Catterall, was him at his very best, for it demonstrated both his ability to think his way through a fight and then explode when an opening presents itself. Starting early with a left hand, Catterall followed this initial success with another, much bigger, left hand seconds later, the impact of which had Prograis sprawled on the canvas for the first time in the fight. 

As good a shot as Catterall has ever thrown, it was timed to perfection, this left hand, and only Prograis’ inherent toughness allowed him to take the punch and get up from it. When he did, his recovery powers then helped him to weather the subsequent onslaught, yet still he would touch down again, this time on the bell, when cracked again by another well-placed Catterall left hand. 

With the ninth round now scored 10-7 in Catterall’s favour, the level of desperation Prograis would have to exhibit in the next three would only enhance Catterall’s hopes of finishing him; or, at the very least, sweeping the remaining rounds. “He can’t work it out now because he’s tired,” said Jamie Moore before the final round, and so it proved, with Prograis even slipping at one point and twisting his ankle. He then later in the round, when needing something big, swung so wildly with a punch that he ended up falling over, after which he retreated into a corner of his own volition and beckoned Catterall to join him. 

It was a sign, if ever one was needed, that Jack Catterall had beaten Regis Prograis at his own game. Clearly, having lost this battle, Prograis was now trying to think up other games, ones triggered by exhaustion and desperation, and knew deep down that his questions had been asked and that Catterall, in outthinking and outfighting him, had come up with all the required answers. 

The judges saw it this way, too, delivering the Brit a unanimous decision by overgenerous scores of 117-108 and 116-109 (twice) after 12 completed rounds. “I’m pleased,” said Catterall, 30-1 (13), in the ring. “It was a big occasion for me. I was fighting a tremendous fighter in Regis and I knew I had to be on my game. 

“We had a cagey couple of rounds and I felt Regis’ power; obviously he’s a strong fighter. Jamie (Moore) said, ‘Look we’re starting to slip behind now.’ I knew I couldn’t take too many gambles, but I came back into it and scored the two knockdowns.”

As easy as it is to attribute a fight breaking out to exhaustion and desperation, credit must go to Jack Catterall as well. He, after all, was every bit as exhausted and desperate as Regis Prograis at times during tonight’s fight, yet, unlike Prograis, he was the one able to produce a moment of quality when it really mattered. Not only that, the prospect of a thinking man’s fighter like Catterall now adding one-punch power to his game, or at least showing the intent to land the shots he did in round nine, makes him a man to be taken seriously at the top of the 140-pound division. No longer, it seems, will he be content to wait. 

British boxing star Dalton Smith

During the interview, Purewal highlighted Catterall’s recent victory over Prograis. Smith reviewed the fight as “entertaining towards the end” and praised Catterall’s performance, stating that Catterall won clearly. Although Dalton Smith anticipated a wider margin on the scorecards, the decision was closer than expected.

“My prediction was a wide scorecard for Jack Catterall. I think it was a bit closer than I expected, but it was a great performance by Jack,” he said.

They also discussed the knockdowns during the bout, with Dalton Smith describing Jack Catterall’s knockdowns as “far more devastating” than Prograis’, noting that while Prograis’ knockdowns were legitimate, they didn’t cause significant damage.The possibility of a future fight between Dalton Smith and Jack Catterall also came up.

While Smith acknowledged that Catterall is seeking a world title, he didn’t rule out a potential matchup within the next 12 to 18 months. “Jack and I are friends, but boxing is a business. If it makes sense, then it’ll happen,” Smith commented, leaving the door open for a clash that could draw significant interest in the UK.

Regarding Junaid Bostan’s recent victory over Maico Sommariva, Smith praised his teammate’s performance, highlighting Bostan’s effectiveness in the ring. Smith noted the time it took for Bostan to find his range, but once he did, he dominated the fight. “Great performance. I think it took him a round to settle in, but once he found his range, he boxed really well. And what a peach of a body shot,” added Smith.

Finally, the interview focused on Adam Azim and his recent bout against Ohara Davies. Smith felt that Azim boxed well and met his expectations. However, when addressing Azim’s post-fight comments, Smith suggested that these weren’t spontaneous, hinting that Azim may have been directed to make certain statements.Matchroom confirms card for Monaco show

“I’ve been asked this so many times. Obviously, that wasn’t Adam speaking spontaneously down the camera; he was told to say that for the show,” clarified Smith.

Dalton Smith denied making any disrespectful comments about Azim or his promoter, Ben Shalom. According to Smith, he simply raised questions that many are asking, seeking clear answers without any intention to offend. Despite Azim’s statements, Smith made it clear that he didn’t take the comments personally and closed the topic diplomatically.

“You can find any interview with me—I’ve never disrespected Adam or Ben Shalom. That interview was actually the first time I’d seen Ben Shalom since the All-European thing. I saw my opportunity and took it, and the questions I asked were the ones everybody’s been asking. There was no disrespect—it was just about getting answers to what was plainly in front of us.”

“Come on, I don’t take anything personally,” Smith concluded.

The young British boxer Junaid Bostan made an unforgettable impression in his recent fight against Argentine Maico Sommariva. This bout, part of the undercard for the much-anticipated event between Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis, showcased Bostan in excellent form. In the third round, Bostan landed a precise uppercut to Sommariva’s body, knocking him out and securing his victory by knockout. This outstanding performance reaffirmed his position in professional boxing and kept his undefeated record at 10-0-0.

After the fight, Bostan was interviewed by Matt Lenihan of , where he

He explained that during the fight, he switched to a southpaw stance on his own, as he felt it would be more effective against Sommariva. “Grant didn’t ask me to switch; I switched on my own accord. After a moment, he told me to stay southpaw because he knew it would help me get my shots off better and neutralize his left hand a bit more,” said Bostan.

The young fighter also commented on his opponent’s resilience, who, despite the loss, showed determination in the first round. Bostan acknowledged Sommariva’s toughness, as he managed to land a shot, though it had little impact. “Yeah, he wasn’t the best, but he was game. I’m not going to lie; he hit me with one shot, but I can’t recall anything else. Maybe on the replay it’ll show something, but as I said, this is a chance to improve, and that’s what I aim for, to keep getting better,” Bostan stated.

Junaid Bostan demonstrated remarkable adaptability by switching his guard and using his shoulder to shield himself. Lenihan asked if this ability was a natural reaction or something guided by his trainer. Bostan confirmed that the change was his own initiative, though his trainer supported him and encouraged him to stay southpaw to make the most of his offense.

The young boxer also addressed his future ambitions, hinting at a possible fight with another Yorkshire contender, which would be an exciting matchup for the British public. Although concrete details have yet to be established, Bostan mentioned that he expects the fight to take place in 2025, in a venue that benefits both fighters and represents an important opportunity for their careers. He assured that, while he respects the journey of his potential opponent, he is ready to take on the challenge.

Finally, Junaid Bostan reflected on his personal and professional growth in a year filled with challenges. He explained that staying focused has allowed him to mature and develop a more balanced attitude in the face of adversity.Eddie Hearn announces new signings at Matchroom Boxing

“This year has been mad. It’s been frustrating, but I’ve managed to stay steady. I haven’t reacted the way I wanted to certain things, but I’m learning and maturing. I genuinely feel like I’m growing up a bit, and that’s what’s important,” Bostan concluded.

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Eddie Hearn is hoping to lure WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez to Manchester after Jack Catterall’s victory last night (October 26) over Regis Prograis.

Catterall defeated Prograis in what seemed, at first, to be a dull affair, although the contest soon caught fire in its second half. The fans inside the new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester were treated to a terrific clash after Prograis dropped Catterall in Round 5. Catterall returned to his feet and went on to press the action for the majority of the fight, dropping Prograis twice in the ninth. 

“Firstly, we all want a firefight, don’t we?” said Hearn. “After three or four rounds I’m kind of thinking, ‘This is cagey.’ I don’t mind watching fights like that because I find it fascinating. However, the 8,000 people in there just want a tear up. 

“All of a sudden, the knockdown comes, and it starts to get a bit juicier in the fifth. At the halfway stage I had it very close, maybe Regis just edging it with the knockdown, and then all of a sudden Jack just changed the fight – that switched up the excitement levels.”

Prograis, now 35, has been in with some of the best fighters in the division after he narrowly lost to Josh Taylor in 2019 and was well beaten by Devin Haney last year. Though Haney was the one to beat Prograis most decisively, it was Catterall who he named as the best he had fought.

“[Prograis] said after, ‘This is the best guy I have ever fought by a mile.’” Hearn said. “I think Jack Catterall is one of the most underrated fighters in the world. I think sometimes the style to the casual means they don’t necessarily understand how good he is.”

In the ring after the contest, Hearn called for a world title shot for Catterall and made it clear who would be his dream choice: “I would love to bring Teofimo Lopez to Manchester as well and give him a good arse kicking,” said Hearn.

Later on, Hearn admitted that bringing Lopez to Manchester could be hard given the pair’s history. Lopez felt he unfairly had his lightweight titles taken away from him when he lost to George Kambosos on a Matchroom Boxing show in 2021.

“With regards to Teofimo Lopez, I’ve said we’d love to spank him, but he is a very good fighter,” Hearn said. “He’s a massive star, and I doubt he would come to Manchester, but it would be some night – imagine bringing Teofimo Lopez to the UK.

“It is unlikely for Teofimo Lopez to come to the UK,” he added. “He’s still blaming me for his George Kambosos defeat when we promoted the show in Madison Square Garden. If it went 12 rounds, I’d actually leave the arena before the scores are read out.

“Jack is sitting at number two [with the WBO]; I think this is going to move him closer to that number one position. Who knows what Teofimo is going to do? I see him probably moving up to 147; he’s got the legal dispute with Top Rank. Maybe Jack fights the winner of Barbosa vs. Ramirez for the vacant title.” 

Hearn admitted that an in-house matchup against the winner of IBF champion Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins could be the safest bet in terms of securing Catterall a title shot.

“We do have two guys fighting for the IBF title on December 7th in Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins,” Hearn said. “So, can we bring that world championship fight here? Obviously, Liam Paro is going to say, ‘Well what about Australia?’ Which is obviously something we’ll look at as well. 

“If Hitchins wins, he’s going to say, ‘What about New York?’ Which is something we’ll look at as well. Jack’s in a great position. When you look at his last 11 months, Linares, Taylor, Prograis – he really does deserve a shot.”

The renowned boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, has opened up about Campbell Hatton’s recent defeat. The event took place on Saturday at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. At this event, Campbell tried to avenge a previous loss to James Flint. This match was part of the card for Jack Catterall against Regis Prograis.

Unfortunately, the son of legendary boxer Ricky Hatton was unable to secure the rematch. Flint won by unanimous decision in this fight. The judges scored the bout 97-94, 96-94, and 96-95, all in favor of Flint. The decision was a tough blow for Campbell, who hoped to turn around the previous result.

Eddie Hearn reflected on Campbell Hatton’s career, admitting that he is a young boxer. However, he suggested that Hatton should reconsider his future in the sport. “I think it’s difficult because he’s very young,” Hearn said. “If he were 29 or 30, you might say that’s the end of the line.”

The promoter emphasized the importance of enjoying what one does in boxing. “I think Campbell Hatton’s current level is area or English title level,” he added. Hearn stressed that there is no shame in reaching those levels. However, he indicated that his team usually does not promote boxers at the area title level after consecutive losses.

Eddie Hearn also defended Hatton, describing him as a different case. “One, because he’s a really good kid; two, because he works his socks off,” Hearn stated. “Three, because he’s given us back-to-back brilliant fights, and he’s still young.” Hearn suggested that Campbell needs to ask himself if he is satisfied with his current level.

It’s worth noting that if Campbell is happy, Hearn encouraged him to continue in the sport. “Maybe that means getting a couple of fights on smaller shows,” he suggested. “Without the pressure of… I mean, tonight he ended up as co-main event again in front of around 8,000 people; it’s not easy.”Eddie Hearn also addressed the perception of the fight.

“A lot of people thought he won the fight,” Hearn commented. “I went into the changing room after, and I said to Ricky Hatton — Ricky thought Campbell edged the fight.” However, Hearn felt that, in his opinion, Campbell lost 6-4.

The promoter acknowledged that Campbell put on a great fight but that it wasn’t good enough. “He’s not really progressing,” Hearn said. “His performance wasn’t much better, in my opinion, than his last one.” Despite this, he reaffirmed that, since Campbell is young and enjoys boxing, he should continue.

On the other hand, Campbell’s father, the legendary former boxer Ricky Hatton,

“Another close one for the lad @campbellhatton last night,” Hatton began. “Everyone has their view. I thought he lost the first fight by the narrowest of margins.” He also expressed that he thought his son had won the second fight. “But one thing for certain is that they were both great close fights that could’ve probably gone either way.”

Hatton extended his congratulations to Jimmy Flint, acknowledging his talent and respect. “Congrats to @jimmyjoe_flint Great lad, respectful like I found his whole family. Best of luck to you, Jimmy.”

The message concluded with an emotional note of support for his son. “As for my son, chin up son, have a rest, have a think,” Ricky wrote. “Don’t think you’ll ever know how much I love you & how proud we all are of you.”

Hatton ended his message with a heartfelt sentiment: “No father could be more blessed & I feel proud that every day I get the chance to say to people that’s my boy. Love dad. xxx.”

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Una publicación compartida por Ricky Hatton MBE (@rickyhitmanhatton)

Andy Lee has vowed that the uncertainty that defined Tyson Fury’s corner on the night of his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk will be replaced by clarity throughout their rematch on December 21.

Fury’s training team of Sugahill Steward and Andy Lee were joined, on fight night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by Fury’s outspoken father John, contributing to conflicting messages being relayed during the difficult second half of May’s fight for the undisputed heavyweight title.

For some of the most testing rounds of his career, Fury, who was almost stopped by Usyk in the ninth, was perhaps uncertain about whether he ought to have been chasing victory or attempting to survive, potentially leading to his post-fight assertion that Usyk had wrongly been awarded victory because of the sympathy that exists as a consequence of Russia’s murderous invasion of Ukraine.

In retirement Lee has proven a promising trainer through his work with Joseph Parker, and after Fury resisted suggestions he needed to change his corner ahead of the rematch that could transform his career, Lee has recognised that it is Steward’s voice that will have to be heard above all else.

He also believes that more influential on fight night was the reality that Fury’s preparations had been undermined by a cut suffered for an earlier fight date that forced a postponement until May and that prevented him from sparring as consistently as he typically would have. 

If Fury is better prepared for the rematch at the same venue, according to his assistant trainer and cousin (?) he retains what is required to become the first to defeat the X-year-old Usyk in their fight for the WBC, WBA and WBO titles.

“There was a lot of voices in the corner – we were in a dire situation, and had to get him back to himself,” Lee told BoxingScene. “Pull him out of it. 

“I was told, and I believed, he was two rounds down, so I had to speak up about that. His dad was giving him great advice, I thought, but he’s also a dad, and that’s his son. ‘Suga’ should have been the only voice, and he will be the only voice in the next fight.

“When you lose, you’re open to criticism.

“But it shows Tyson trusts his team – that he doesn’t want to change. A lot of guys would have looked for an excuse – blamed it on the team – but he’s not changing his team. Hopefully it works out for him.

“He’s pragmatic about [losing for the first time]. It was very close, the first fight. ‘I’ve got to be better; I’ve got to concentrate more, and I’ll win the rematch.’ It is as simple as that, really. Obviously it’s not as simple as that doing it – but saying it, it is.

“Suga should always be the only voice, really. But we’ve all got these relationships with Tyson – this is his dad, and it’s his son, and he’s going to say what he feels his son should do. No one’s going to stop a dad from advising his son, in the biggest fight of his career. We might all be talking again, at some stage – who knows what will happen? But there’s been no conversation about it [to resolve what happened previously]. Me and Suga talked about it. I said, ‘Suga, I’m sorry, but I had to speak up during those last two rounds – I thought he was down on the cards, so I thought he had to win rounds’, and Suga said, ‘Andy, it’s okay’.

“If someone tells me, and I believe them, that he’s down on the cards, I’ll have to tell him, because you’re duty bound – honour bound. When you’re in a fight that close you don’t know how it’s going [when you’re the one fighting]. But if you’re unequivocally down on the cards – you need a knockout or to win those last rounds – you should be told.

“My confidence has taken a knock, I would say that. But I believe in Tyson. If anyone can turn this around, it would be him, because he’s an incredible fighter; incredible person. He’s overcome so much that this isn’t even the biggest battle he’s ever faced. He’s probably had harder fights – bigger challenges in boxing, and he’s had much bigger challenges in life – so this will be nothing for him.

“He needs to be fitter. He probably needs to be heavier. He couldn’t be fitter for the first one, because he had a cut eye; he couldn’t spar. He will be better in the rematch if he doesn’t get cut or injured. But is he on the decline? Is he getting too old? Or does he just need to get fitter? 

“I want to see Tyson in training – in camp – sparring; going through the rounds; doing 10 rounds regularly in sparring. Then my confidence will build as we go through the camp. That’s how you gain in confidence – from training. Training hard; pushing yourself; going to the depths. That’s where it’s built.”

The X-year-old Fury and Usyk will not again contest the IBF title because it was stripped from Usyk so that Daniel Dubois could be installed as champion before Dubois stopped Anthony Joshua in front of Fury in September. 

Joshua’s defeat that night – he was previously considered on course to fight Fury in 2025 – has made victory even more essential for Fury in December for a fight that ultimately has less historic significance, but Lee also explained that regardless of what is at stake for Fury, he appears to have put the disappointment of defeat behind him and that there is a belief that while Fury can considerably improve for their rematch, Usyk cannot.

“I think [not being able to consistently spar] made a huge difference, because you saw, come round nine he was gassed,” Lee continued. “When you spar, you build your fitness – you can do all your punching; all the training; all the pads; all the running you want. Until you spar, you’re not fit. It’s a different fitness. Boxing fitness is different. That was a huge hindrance to him, not being able to spar. 

“He didn’t want to pull out, not just because of the money [the millions he was at risk of being fined], but because of pride, as well. He cancelled the fight once and it was a massive decision. He wanted it to go ahead – the fight, with the cut – but he took advice, and rescheduled the fight. It wasn’t because of the money though – it was just pride, because he didn’t want, ‘He’s running away from Usyk’.

“[The defeat] was the way it had to be. You just become philosophical about it. The cut had to happen, and he had to take the fight and go ahead with it under the circumstances. But it makes a nice little story for the rematch. If he has a full camp he’ll be a lot better. It’s a nice character arc for him. All of the trials and tribulations in and out of the ring – overcoming those; becoming the greatest heavyweight of the last however many years; suffering his only loss and then coming back and defeating the only guy who beat him. It’s a great story. It’s already a great story, Tyson Fury, but it’s going to be even better when he wins.

“I don’t know if privately he’s different, but to me, he’s just said, ‘Andy – I lost; it was a close fight; I know what I have to do in the rematch, and I’ll win’. He’s brushed it off, and he’s fortunate to be in the position he is. He’s got an immediate rematch and he’s got a chance to set the record straight. But it doesn’t seem to have affected him at all. 

“He needs to be fitter. He needs to be able to concentrate for longer. No breaks; don’t need to take breaks [mid-fight]. He needs to push Usyk back. Usyk was very dominant on the forward foot. Tyson needs to push him back.

“Both of them are enigmas. Usyk was extremely good in the first fight, but how much better can he be? I’m not sure. How much better can Tyson Fury be? I know he can be a lot better. I think Usyk will be better, but I’m not sure how much more. I know Tyson will be a lot better.”

On December 14, the prestigious Salle Des Étoiles at the Sporting de Monte Carlo will become the epicenter of world boxing with the anticipated Matchroom Boxing event, Monte-Carlo Showdown V. This evening, organized by Matchroom and Le Casino de Monte-Carlo, promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle, featuring high-level fights with titles on the line.

In the main event, the talented Murodjon Akhmadaliev, with an impressive record of 12 wins and one loss, will face the experienced Ricardo Espinoza, who boasts 30 wins and 4 losses. Both fighters will compete for the interim super bantamweight world title of the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Another exciting bout will see the undefeated Cheavon Clarke, with a record of 10-0, go up against the also undefeated Leonardo Mosquea, who holds a record of 15 wins. This match will feature a contest for the European cruiserweight title.

Gary Cully, who holds a record of 18 wins and just one loss, will also be part of this significant card. He will face the experienced Maxi Hughes, who arrives with a record of 27 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws.

Finally, the event will include a fight between champion Beatriz Ferreira, undefeated with a record of 5-0, and Licia Boudersa, who has accumulated 23 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. These two fighters will compete for the lightweight title of the International Boxing Federation (IBF).Eddie Hearn reveals when Conor Benn will return to the ring

Monte-Carlo Showdown V, with renowned Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, promises to deliver an electrifying night of high-quality matchups, closing out the year in such an iconic venue as the Salle Des Étoiles.𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆-𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒐 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑽 ✨ @AkhmadalievMj against Ricardo Espinoza for the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Title & @BFerreira60kg defending her Gold against France’s Licia Boudersa@C4CHEV takes on 15-0 Leonardo Mosquea for the European and @BoxerCully &… pic.twitter.com/pNXISeUkt4

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 27, 2024

A world title double-header will top the latest instalment of the Monte-Carlo Showdown at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday December 14, shown live on DAZN. 

Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, 12-1 (9 KOs), attempts to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco, 30-4 (25 KOs), for the interim WBA super bantamweight title.

Akhmadaliev made three defences of the IBF and WBA titles he landed against Daniel Roman in Miami in January 2020 before losing them in a split decision points loss to Marlon Tapales on the undercard of Jesse Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez last year.

Brazilian amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defence of her IBF lightweight title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa, 23-2-2 (4 KOs), after capturing the vacant crown against Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Liverpool earlier this year.

‘The Beast’, a former amateur world champion, won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games before putting pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing in 2022. The 31-year-old attempted to go one better by winning gold in Paris this summer but ultimately fell short against eventual champion Kellie Harrington in the semi-final.

British cruiserweight champion Chev Clarke, 10-0 (7 KOs), looks to build on his successful American debut last time out in August when he clashes with unbeaten Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea, 15-0 (9 KOs), for the vacant EBU European cruiserweight title in what will be his biggest test to date.

Irish Lightweight contender Gary Cully, 18-1 (10 KOs), puts his WBA continental title on the line against Rossington’s Maxi Hughes, 27-7-2 (6 KOs), in an intriguing Ireland vs. England match-up. ‘The Diva’ outpointed Belgium’s former European champion Francesco Patera in Leeds last time out in May while ‘Maximus’ earned an impressive stoppage win over Efstathios Antonas in Sheffield last month. 

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring and making the first defence of my World Title in Monte-Carlo,” said Ferreira. “I am very proud to have finished my Olympic journey as a two-time medallist but from now on my focus is 100% on the professionals and I am excited about this next phase in my career and dedicating myself fully to professional boxing.

Jack Catterall is eyeing a fight against IBF junior welterweight champion Liam Paro after his victory over Regis Prograis.

Catterall defeated Prograis last night at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester to earn himself his fourth victory in 17 months. Catterall is now widely considered one of the best fighters in the division despite not holding a world title – although many believe he should hold all four after he was controversially denied with a split decision loss against Josh Taylor in 2022. Since then, wins over former champions Prograis, Jorge Linares and Taylor – who he defeated in a rematch earlier this year – have all but secured him another chance at world honors.  

“I feel like it’s been a rebirth,” said Catterall. “I linked up with Sam Jones, who then linked me up with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. Since then, I’ve gone from strength to strength. We boxed Darragh Foley back in May last year, and since that fight, I’ve headlined three times in the UK. Right hand to God, we are getting closer to a world title.”

After a cagey start to the contests with Prograis, Catterall found himself on the floor in the fifth. The Chorley fighter fought back well, however, and in the ninth dropped Prograis heavy and did so again on the bell.

At the end of the contest, the scorecards did not reflect the pattern of the fight, with one judge only awarding Prograis two rounds. Catterall, who himself knows what it is like to be wronged by those at ringside, admitted the cards were too wide.

“I didn’t judge it whilst I was fighting, but I’ll watch it back,” he said. “I do feel like I won the fight but maybe not as wide as I heard on the first card – I said that to Regis. There’s a lot of criticism of scorecards. I’ll watch it back and score it; it did feel a bit wide, but I do feel the right man got the decision.”

After the contest Prograis was very respectful of his opponent and declared that Catterall was the best man he had faced – a huge compliment considering he has shared a ring with the likes of former undisputed champions Taylor and Devin Haney.

“Regis has been in with some great fighters, so to have them comments after the fight means a lot to me,” Catterall said. “You’ve seen this week it’s been pretty boring probably for Eddie [Hearn], but it was ‘Stand on Business’, and it was just business for Regis and me – there was a mutual respect there.”

After the victory Catterall’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, and manager, Sam Jones, promised their man a title shot in 2025. Hearn also promotes IBF junior welterweight champion Paro and Catterall believes a fight with the Australian should be easy to make, presuming he beats Richardson Hitchins on December 7.

“We know that Liam Paro is fighting Hitchins in December,” said Catterall. “We are under the same banner. This fight against Regis, we knew it was going to be a risk, but that risk put me in a great position to call the shots and hopefully, we get a shot at the IBF early next year. There are four world champions, so I’m open to fighting any of them.”

After a tough defeat against British fighter Jack Catterall, American boxer Regis Prograis hinted that he might be nearing the end of his professional boxing career. The fight took place at Manchester’s Co-op Live, where Catterall won by unanimous decision with scorecards reading 116-109, 116-109, and 117-110.

Prograis had been seeking redemption after his previous loss to Devin Haney. However, his defeat against Catterall has led him to reconsider his future in the ring. “It might be time to go to bare knuckle (fighting),” the American commented after the fight. “12 rounds might be too much for me. I started fading in late rounds & I hurt my ankle.”

The intense and thrilling match saw both fighters hit the canvas at different moments, demonstrating the intensity with which they faced each other. Prograis acknowledged his rival’s superiority after the fight, stating: “Jack was just better, that’s all. Jack was the better man; I’m not going to lie. He deserves a world title fight. He definitely deserves a world title next. Good luck.”Regis Prograis praised Jack Catterall, describing him as one of the toughest opponents he’s faced:

“[He’s] really good. I’ve fought the best and [he was] the best out of all of them. I’ve had my time in the sun. Now it’s time for the young ones, [to] let the young guys take over,” Prograis concluded.

These statements suggest a possible end to Prograis’s career, as he has been regarded as one of the most exciting light welterweights in recent years. Prograis made his professional debut in 2012 and remained undefeated for seven years until his first loss to Josh Taylor in 2019. Despite the ups and downs, Prograis managed to regain his standing in the division and seemed on track for another shot at the world title.

However, his loss to Jack Catterall has drastically changed that outlook. If he decides to retire, Regis Prograis will leave a significant legacy in the division, remembered for his tenacity and skill in the ring.Major update in Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch“Where does tonight leave the ambition for you now?”

Regis Prograis: “It might be time to go to bare knuckle(fighting).12 rounds might be too much for me. I started fading in late rounds & I hurt my ankle. Imma let the young guys takeover” 👀#Boxing

pic.twitter.com/6vLIcEKFEz

— Danny (@dantheboxingman) October 26, 2024

Prograis amazing words for Catterall. 👏👏👏#CatterallPrograis | Exclusive deals LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/AdpIVMAQfF

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 26, 2024

Campbell Hatton suffered another major setback in his short professional career last night at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, now believes he will have to consider if he wishes to continue in the sport.

Hatton took on former 140-pound Central Area title holder James Flint for the second time at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The pair had met earlier this year in an entertaining affair that saw Hatton well beaten. Hatton then made major changes to his training team after the defeat, he parted ways with his uncle Matthew Hatton and teamed up with Barry Smith at the Ben Davison Performance Centre. 

The switch seemed to have been a good move and because of Hatton’s performances at his new gym, his team jumped into an immediate rematch with Flint. The fight did not go as planned, however, and Hatton put in a similar performance that saw him beaten on all three judges’ scorecards. Hatton’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, now believes the youngster will have to consider his place in the sport. 

“It’s difficult because he’s very young,” said Hearn. “If the guy was 29 or 30, you’d say that’s your lot but when you’re enjoying what you do. I think right now Campbell Hatton’s level is Area and English title level – that’s no disgrace, a lot of fighters don’t even reach that level. But obviously, with our stable, and where we are looking to take fighters, we don’t really work with and continuously back – after back-to-back defeats – Area title and English level fighters.

“Campbell is a little bit different,” he continued. “One, because he’s a really good kid. Two, because he works his nuts off. Three, because he’s given us back-to-back brilliant fights and he’s still young. So, Campbell has got to look at himself and say, ‘If that’s my level, am I happy to continue?’ And if he’s happy to continue, he should absolutely continue. Whether that’s to go and get a few more fights on small hall shows without the pressure – he ends up being co-main event tonight in front of like 8,000, it’s not easy. 

“Many thought he won the fight, I went in the changing room after, and I spoke to Ricky Hatton. Ricky thought he edged the fight and I said, ‘In my opinion, I thought you lost 6-4, I’m going to give you my honest opinion.’ But when it’s 6-4, it can go either way. Again, he gave us a brilliant fight, but he just wasn’t good enough and he’s not really progressing. The performance wasn’t really much better, in my opinion, than the last performance, but he’s young and if he’s enjoying the game and wants to stick at it – then he absolutely should.”

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed possible names for Jack Catterall’s next bout following his recent win over Regis Prograis. Catterall achieved an impressive unanimous decision victory in the first boxing event held at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, UK. The judges scored it 116-109 twice and 117-110, sealing Catterall’s triumph in the super lightweight division.

With this victory, Catterall, now holding a record of 30-1-0, has notched four consecutive wins since May 2023. During his winning streak, he has defeated high-profile opponents like Josh Taylor, Jorge Linares, and now Regis Prograis. This impressive series of victories makes him a solid contender for a world title shot, positioning him as a notable figure in the super lightweight division.

Among Catterall’s possible opponents is Australian fighter Liam Paro, who could be his next adversary. Paro, with an undefeated record of 25-0-0, currently holds the super lightweight title from the International Boxing Federation (IBF), a title he won by defeating Subriel Matías by unanimous decision after 12 rounds on June 15, 2024. Although Paro has yet to make an official title defense, he is expected to face his mandatory challenger, Richardson Hitchins, on December 7 in Puerto Rico.

Catterall’s recent victory over Prograis has sparked interest in his immediate future within the division. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both fighters, discussed potential matchups for Catterall against other prominent figures, mentioning possible opponents such as Teófimo López, Devin Haney, and Ryan Garcia.

“If I put him in with Teofimo Lopez. If I put him in with Devin Haney. If I put him in with Ryan Garcia. You know, all of those guys. I believe that he’s in 50/50 fights with every top name in the division. Another fighter that I think is massively underrated is Liam Paro, honestly,” Hearn stated.Artur Beterbiev set to vacate world title

In Eddie Hearn’s own words, a fight between Paro and Catterall shapes up as a high-quality matchup. “Paro against Catterall is a very, very good fight. And I think it would be very unwise to rule him out in any fight against any 140-pounder,” Eddie Hearn concluded.

With these potential names on the table, Jack Catterall is in a prime position to solidify his presence in the super lightweight division.El Gato is a problem for anyone in the 140lb division ⚔️ @EddieHearn@jack_catt93pic.twitter.com/ZXa8NAfjrl

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 27, 2024

Jack Catterall moved to within touching distance of a world-title fight by outpointing Regis Prograis over 12 high-quality, absorbing rounds at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena.

This was Catterall’s third successive headline appearance and, after his beating Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor and Prograis, it will be all but impossible to deny the 31 year old from Chorley a second attempt at a world title.

Prograis had been out of form since stopping Jose Zepeda in 2022. The 35 year old turned in a flat against Danielito Zorrilla and in June 2023 and looked devoid of ideas and fire against Devin Haney in December. In Manchester, Prograis looked better than he has for some time.

Prograis’ love of adventure and excitement is well known. Maybe it shouldn’t come as any surprise that travelling across the Atlantic for a make-or-break fight with Catterall reignited the spark in the two-time junior-welterweight world champion. 

Given that both fighters are clever, slick operators who like to work at their own tempo, there was precious little chance of fireworks exploding from the opening bell, and the two southpaws spent the first two rounds trying to figure each other out and establishing avenues for their left hands.

Scoring shots were hard to find in the early rounds but Catterall, 30-1 (13 KOs), occasionally found a home for his heavy jab and Prograis, 29-3 (24 KOs), ended the second round with a brief flurry that had Catterall looking momentarily disorganised. 

The third round was another battle of feints and jabs. Catterall was happy to sit back and wait for Prograis to step into distance before trying to land anything significant. Eventually the American took a chance and closed the distance, but Catterall landed a hard left hand that stiffened Prograis’ legs as the round ended. He learned from the mistake and had a better fourth round by sitting back himself and relying on his own jab. 

Prograis finally found a hard left of his own in the fifth, and Catterall briefly held to undermine any hope of him following up. Prograis did succeed with a hard jab moments later, and Catterall briefly touched down and was given a count.

Prograis, increasingly, was boxing with confidence and rhythm. He landed his left hand more regularly and had a bounce in his step. Catterall again used his jab and forced Prograis back at the end of the round, but Prograis was succeeded in making Catterall fight his fight before the halfway point.

Via a clash of heads in the seventh, Caterall was cut in his scalp and Prograis from over his right eye, but it was the American who gave the impression of being in charge. Catterall likes to set the pace and range his fights are fought at, but he suddenly appeared to need a change of gear. 

He effectively seized the momentum in the eighth. Although he took a hard left hand that resulted in both fighters tumbling to the canvas, Catterall began to pick his shots well, and negated a lot of Prograis’ work. 

He found a significant breakthrough in the ninth. A hard left hand put Prograis down, and although he got up, he was still hurt and, as the bell went to end the round, another left put him down again.

Prograis gathered himself well. The 10th felt like a high-stakes shoot-out, and although Catterall appeared in control, Prograis remained dangerous – and he landed a hard left of his own before Catterall instantly fired back. 

Both fighters were looking for the left hand. Prograis when he loosened his shoulders and punched off his head movement; Catterall was a sniper, taking advantage of any small openings. 

Prograis came out for the final round seemingly determined to apply pressure, but he hurt his ankle, and clearly picked up an injury that troubled him for the remainder of the fight. Prograis continued to try but Catterall boxed coolly, refusing to give him the opportunities he needed, and boxing his way to the final bell.

The right fighter won, but though all three judges scored it to Catterall, the cards were too wide. 

Manuel Oliver Palomo saw it 117-108, Bob Williams had it 116-109 and Dave Braslow saw Catterall winning 116-109.

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79

Bringing the boxing gym to the people – or, better yet, to social media – is the essence of OTX’s latest series, “Proving Ground.”

The series , which aims to break down the intimidating barrier of entry into boxing gyms, leverages elements similar to those from the iconic And1 basketball mixtapes from the early 2000s. But instead of turning the camera on street courts, “Proving Ground” focuses it on the boxing ring, and instead of high-flying dunks, it’s hard-hitting sparring sessions – with clout becoming the new ticket to athletic fame.

OTX seeks to blend the raw energy of boxing with the viral nature of social media content. Brandon Rhodes, general manager of OTX, explained the driving force behind the web series.

“Well, ‘Proving Ground’ is really the essence of the sport,” Rhodes said. “At OTX, we came up through the gyms. I did the Golden Gloves for a couple of years. As a fan of boxing, the best and most exciting fights often happen in sparring. We heard from our audience that they wanted access to that world. ‘Proving Ground’ brings together some of the best fighters in the city for intense sparring matchups, and with our social reach, it gives these fighters exposure they've never had before. Some are hidden gems; others, like Donte Layne, are already pros on our platform.”

With millions of followers on its social platforms, OTX is not just about getting in the ring – it’s about getting noticed.

“Fighters get excited because there’s an opportunity to fight with OTX,” Rhodes said. “We’ve had three fighters from these events appear on our cards. It’s about bringing that energy into the gym – gym rivalries, coach rivalries. It’s all part of it.”

The goal is similar to what made certain elements of grassroots basketball exciting for fans – hidden talents showing out and getting discovered. Rhodes mentioned the potential for future matchups between cities, for which fans would tune in not only to see who are the best fighters but also to watch clashes in personality and competitive spirit. For Rhodes, the goal is to showcase the heart of boxing in its purest form while capturing the attention of fans who thrive on seeing real-world tension and conflict, much like reality TV on social media.

“You see the core of the sport come out [in these sparring sessions],” Rhodes said. “This is an opportunity for fighters without much exposure to tell their story. We treat everyone like a world champion, and that could lead to a long-term deal or even getting signed by another promotion.”

The involvement of professional fighters adds another layer to the series. It’s not just entertaining for those unfamiliar with the sport – it’s also the great equalizer.

“Everyone has a good day or a bad day,” Rhodes said. “You might get to spar someone you’ve seen on TV and test yourself against them.”

Rhodes also emphasized the importance of gaining social media followers.

“Clout equals money,” Rhodes said. “If you have followers, you’re more likely to sell tickets or get signed by a manager. We’ve even seen fighters find trainers at these events.”

Looking to the future, Rhodes sees the potential for gym battles and storylines around these events that could capture public attention, just as much as marquee or mid-tier fights.

“Eventually, we could have the top fighters in each city supporting their young guys,” Rhodes said. “Imagine going to Baltimore and having ‘Tank’ [Gervonta Davis] there, or to Newark with Shakur [Stevenson]. It’s all about pride – getting clout. And in today’s world, clout can turn into a career.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.