The slow but sure rise of Jack Catterall to headline status

When the bell rang to end Jack Catterall’s rematch with Josh Taylor in May, he and his team were certain that he had done enough to even the score with his rival. Still, experience taught them not to take anything for granted.

They felt the same way back in February 2022 but had to watch on in horror as Taylor was awarded a split decision victory. 

This time, the referee lifted Catterall’s arm and, in doing so, he also lifted the weight of the world from his shoulders.

After enduring more than two years of rancor and frustration since the controversial first fight with Taylor, the win meant the world to Catterall personally but, professionally, it ensured that he would have a lucrative future in the sport. 

The 31-year-old enjoyed the victory but was quickly back in the gym. He has lost time to make up for. 

On October 26th, Catterall, 29-1 (13 KOs), takes on two-time junior welterweight belt-holder, Regis Prograis, at Manchester’s new Co-Op Live Arena.

Catterall’s manager, Sam Jones, hasn’t noticed much of a change in the fighter’s demeanor since settling the score with Taylor but he knows just what it meant to him. 

“Not really, if I’m honest because Jack’s very laid back, isn’t he? It’s nuts,” Jones told BoxingScene.

“I think, deep down, within him, it’s a huge weight off his shoulders because he got wronged and he put it right. You have to imagine, that fight cost him money, belts, legacy, everything. It cost him a lot.

“But I think since signing with Eddie [Hearn] – and I’d like to think myself as well – it’s like a new slate for him. It’s a new chapter in his career and, so far, it’s been a successful one. I think he’s enjoying it. I know I am.

“I’ve been in boxing almost 10 years and it’s the most I’ve enjoyed being in boxing.

“I know he’s enjoying being active and he’s got a fantastic promoter backing him. I think that he’s enjoying the whole process.”

There can’t be many fighters with Catterall’s level of ability who have taken almost 12 years to establish themselves as a headline attraction. Why it has taken so long is one of the biggest mysteries of recent British boxing history.

Campaigning in the 140-pound division that Ricky Hatton brought to prominence in Britain, Catterall made his debut just a couple of months before ‘The Hitman’ left the sport for good following a loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko. He was based only 40 minutes from Manchester, he looked the part and it was immediately obvious that he could fight.

Catterall featured regularly on BoxNation – bludgeoning Nathan Brough and Tom Stalker to defeat in early 50-50 fights – and never came remotely close to losing his unbeaten record while climbing to number one in the WBO rankings. For some reason, he never caught on to the extent he should.

Still, those who believed in Catterall never gave up on him and, most importantly, he never gave up on himself. 

Jones linked up with Catterall in the aftermath of the draw with Taylor and, realizing that a rematch was crucially important to his career, left no stone unturned until it had been secured. Now, he wants Catterall to maintain his status by boxing the best possible opponents.

“I’m not going to say I was laughed at when I said Jack can be a headliner but, believe me, Jack can be a headliner,” Jones said.

“When he walked out against Josh Taylor it was one of the best ring walks I’ve seen in British boxing. Definitely the best one I’ve been a part of. The atmosphere, his ring walk; everything was fantastic.

“It meant the world to him and I just thought right then and there, ‘This guy’s going to headline shows.’

“Regis Prograis is a phenomenal talent. We’ve got to beat him, but the mission is to win a world title. 

“We wanted to keep Jack active and keep him paid because Jack spent a lot of time out of the ring through no fault of his own. So what do you want to do? Fight fighters that no one wants to see? No. Everybody wants to see this fight so we got it made. That’s what we’re in the business of doing. We’re in the business of getting fights done that fans want to see.”

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