Regis Prograis on Facing Jack Catterall: "This Fight Will Shape Our Careers"

The American, who has held both the WBA and WBC titles during a stellar career in the 140lbs division, is preparing to face his fellow super-lightweight at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday 26th October after their August meeting was rescheduled due to injury.

With Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez all vying to dominate one of the most exciting weight classes in boxing, Prograis hopes a victory over Catterall, who beat former undisputed champion Josh Taylor earlier this year, will guarantee him another shot at world honours.

Why Prograis Refused to Move Up in Weight

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, the Louisiana native confirmed he deliberately rejected offers to compete at welterweight after correctly predicting that staying put would open a number of potentially exciting avenues.

“I love this division,” Prograis said. “In 2018/19 I was offered the chance to move up to 147 but I saw this coming.”

“I saw how stacked the division is. I saw the people who were in it and the people who were coming through, so I wanted to stay a part of it.”

“Looking at how it is now, I’m glad I stayed at 140. Even more glad.”

“One thing I am is the type of person who is happy to look for delayed gratification.”

A Risky Showdown with Jack Catterall

Aged 35, Prograis is ranked number eight at super lightweight by The Ring magazine. Catterall, four years his junior, features at number four - behind current WBO holder Lopez, Haney, Ramirez, and Liam Paro - the IBF king. Taylor, who he conquered via a unanimous points decision in May, is placed seventh.

With no belts being on the line, both Prograis and Catterall have acknowledged that facing one another rather than waiting for a shot at Lopez, Paro, or Alberto Puello - who is currently in possession of the WBC strap - represents a risky manoeuvre.

Indeed, Catterall’s promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, admitted during a media event earlier this summer that there were “far easier” and safer routes for both men to take.

But with Catterall preferring to try and build upon the momentum he achieved following his rematch with Taylor, who controversially prevailed when they faced each other in Glasgow two years earlier, Prograis is happy to accept the Lancastrian’s challenge.

With Taylor and Haney, the only men to beat him since first turning professional over a decade ago, he said: “With Jack, it is a pivotal fight. For sure, it will shape the rest of our careers.”

“It’s one I wanted to take and it’s one he wanted to take as well, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. I commend him for doing that, but I want my titles back and this is going to be a big step towards doing that.”