Junior welterweight contender Jack Catterall believes he is facing a focused and ambitious Regis Prograis when they fight in Manchester this weekend.
Catterall and Prograis meet in a high stakes clash at the first boxing event at the Co-op Live on Saturday and the Englishman hopes victory could lead to fights against Teofimo Lopez or the winner of the December contest between IBF champion Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins.
Catterall is yet to taste world title glory, while Prograis is looking to earn the opportunity to become a champion for a third time.
“I think if you look at Regis now, his last two performances have probably been below par,” said Catterall. “I think that the Regis I’m fighting next is probably a hungry and driven Regis. That’s what I’m excited for, the fact that he’s been world champion twice and he’s hungry to become a three-time world champion.
He lost his belt in his last fight so I think he’ll be super motivated for this fight to get back on track and get a win. That gives me the fire in my belly and gets me excited knowing that I’m getting a hungry and determined Regis coming to fight me in Manchester.
“I feel like a second coming now. It’s been a great ride since I signed with Matchroom. This will be my third headline fight in a UK arena in 12 months. That again is a great feeling. The 140 division is stacked with a lot of great fighters, so I find myself now fit and well, past the periods of inactivity and ready to fight and be involved in these big fights.
“That is the motivation and part of the motivation behind fighting Regis. Outside of the world champions, he for me is the biggest fight to have. I believe a victory against him will put me right at the top of the list and ready to challenge the biggest names in the division.
“Regis’s style suits me, he’s a lot slower on his feet. I think with Regis he carries a lot of power but I think my defence is too good and I think I can pick holes in him. When I beat Regis Prograis I don’t know what options are left for him. He’s had his time in the sun – two-time world champion. I think it’s a difficult road back.
“If this turns into a dog fight, I’m there for it and I’m ready for that. No matter what I’m ready to dig deep, go to the trenches and I’m confident I’ll get my hand raised. I expect this to be a tough fight but I expect a victory.”
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