STAR BOXING PREVIEW: Jack Catterall v Regis Prograis

Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall (29-1 13KO) will welcome former two-time world champion Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis to Manchester this weekend, live on DAZN, writes JORDAN NEILD.

It will be the first boxing event in Manchester’s Co-Op Arena and ‘El Gato’ will be hoping to kick things off in style.

Catterall is fresh off a career best win after beating arch-rival Josh Taylor in their highly anticipated rematch five months ago and another win over someone like Prograis would go a long way to securing him an overdue world title shot.

Despite the lack of titles to his name, Catterall has been operating at world title level for a long time without the rewards. He beat Taylor in the first fight before being harshly treated by the ringside judges’, he was then forced to take lower-level fights as he waited two years for the rematch to come to fruition.

Winning that rematch against Taylor put Catterall at the top table but he remains a criminally underrated fighter. Operating out of the southpaw stance, the 31-year-old is a difficult to puzzle to work out and he hits a lot harder than his record suggests.

Born and raised just a few miles from Manchester, this is a home fixture for ‘El Gato’ and he will need the home support if he is to overcome Regis Prograis. The brash American has never been afraid to travel and he would take great credit in upsetting the home crowd this weekend.

‘Rougarou’ is no stranger to British fight fans and he left a last impression when he last fought on these shores in 2019. He gave Josh Taylor all he could handle in a fight that is considered one of the best in recent times. The American proved that night he has plenty of heart to compliment his natural skill and it’s that combination that has allowed him to be one of the sports’ premium attractions for many years.

As a two-time world champion, the 35-year-old has nothing to prove at this point of his career but he remains laser focused on reigning supreme at 140lbs once more. He arrives in Manchester on the back of a defeat to Devin Haney but a win over someone like Catterall would put his name in the conversation for some big fights in 2025.

Regis Prograis is fighting to remain relevant and Jack Catterall is desperate for a statement moment that will solidify his place at the super-lightweight top table and all of that points to risks will be taken in this fight. They have both have enough power to end this early and the paying Manchester crowd will be keen to see a knockout moment.

The fight to not go the distance at (9/4) is a bet worth some consideration.

The undercard features a fascinating rematch between Campbell Hatton and James Flint. The pair first met earlier this year and served up a domestic classic with Flint just edging the contest via the judges’ scorecards.

Since his maiden defeat, Hatton has changed trainer and now works under the guidance of Ben Davison in London. The move takes Hatton away from his family in Manchester and into unfamiliar territory but it is a sign the 23-year-old is taking his career seriously.

Another loss at this level would be hard for Hatton to recover from but with a new training team around him, the feeling is he can find enough improvement to get past Flint and get his career back on track.

This will be a thrilling back and forth once again but the stage is set for Campbell Hatton to exact revenge and get his career back on track.

Campbell Hatton to win by decision is the bet here. (1/1).

Another undercard fight that promises to deliver is the British super-featherweight contest between Reece Belotti and Michael Gomez Jnr. ‘Bomber’ will walk to the ring as favourite and he is coming into the fight in the form of his career and importantly, they have all been at British title level.

Michael Gomez Jnr has always had a big following but he has fought the majority of his career on the small hall scene. Now 22 fights in, the 29-year-old gets his opportunity and although it’s a huge task in front of him, he will bring his usual all-action style.

British title fights rarely disappoint but there is a class divide in this one and if Reece Belotti gets into rhythm early, he has enough class and power to force a stoppage. (9/4).

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Catterall vs Prograis to NOT go the distance 1pt at 9/4 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Campbell Hatton to win by decision 1pt at 1/1 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Reece Belotti to win by KO/TKO 1pt at 9/4 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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(OCT 2024): PROFIT/LOSS -16.77 POINTS

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