Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis were in agreement today when they met to formally announce their fight on August 24.
They both said that their bout at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena is the biggest that can be made at junior welterweight without a world title being at stake.
“Bar the world titles, this is the biggest fight in the division,” said Catterall.
Prograis, from New Orleans, added: “I feel like me and Jack is the biggest fight you can make in the division without a belt. We were actually supposed to fight a few years ago, it just never happened and now we’re here. I think this is the best time right now.”
Catterall is 29-1 (13 KOs), while two-time champion Prograis is 29-2 (24 KOs).
Catterall is hoping to carry on the career momentum he built with his rematch-win over Scotland’s Josh Taylor in May, while ruling out a third fight with his rival.
“That chapter with Josh now is closed,” Catterall added. “It’s a new chapter. Before the fight, I found myself in a great position, No. 1 in the WBO, but I was sitting on the shelf for too long. The division’s wide open now, but I didn’t want to be waiting until next year to get back in the ring and maybe landing a world title fight.
“I need to strike while I’ve got the momentum. The winner of this fight is in a great position to fight for a world title.
“I’ve been watching Regis for four or five years. He’s a tough fighter, two-time world champion. I know what’s in front of me and I’ve been straight back to work.”
Catterall was in attendance when Taylor pipped Prograis in London in 2019 with a close decision win, when Prograis faced Tyrone McKenna in Dubai in 2022 and in San Francisco when Prograis was outboxed by Devin Haney in December.
Prograis hopes victory over Catterall will propel him towards an opportunity to become a three-time world champion.
The champions include IBF ruler Liam Paro, WBA champion Isaac Cruz and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez, with Sandor Martion and Alberto Puello set to contest the WBC belt vacated by Devin Haney.
“The 140lbs division is stacked,” added Prograis. I’m coming back and coming back strong. I’m ready to do it again in front of the crazy U.K. fans.”
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said the winner could fight Paro in Australia in November, and they could become the mandatory challenger for Teofimo Lopez.
Hearn added that Arnold Barboza “priced himself out” of the Catterall fight but credited Prograis with traveling to face Chorley’s Catterall, with the New Orleans veteran telling Hearn: “I just want the biggest fight you can make.”
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