Jack Catterall took the vacant WBO International super lightweight title, and took a step closer to another world title shot, as he took a points win over Regis Prograis at Co-Op Live in Manchester
Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) gained revenge against Josh Taylor in his last outing in May, taking a points win against the Scot, while former two-time world champion Prograis (29-3, 24 KOs) was dropped on the way to a landslide points loss to Devin Haney last December as he shipped his WBC title.
It was a quiet opening couple of rounds, with both wary of committing, and it was tentative stuff early on. Both were trying to establish their jabs, with little happening of note, but Catterall ended the third round with a huge hand that landed flush on Prograis, but he saw out the session.
It was a real chess match, but the fight came to life in the fifth, as the American found clean shots, and he scored a knockdown towards the end of the frame, with a short jab leaving Catterall off balance, and his glove touched the canvas.
Prograis was growing in confidence, but it was a very technical affair, with success coming in small parts for both fighters, but Catterall started to turn the screw, and the ninth saw him claim a knockdown of his own, a left hand right on the money flooring the visitor, and on the resumption, a short left hand had Prograis over once more, with the bell preventing a finish.
Prograis regrouped well, but looked to be behind heading into the last round, and his problems mounted with what seemed to be an ankle injury caused by a slip, but he gamely made the bell as the bout went to the cards.
Two scores of 116-109, and a third at 117-108 declared Catterall the victor.
DOWN AGAIN!!! #CatterallPrograis | Exclusive deals LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/J1ElhpjspB
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 26, 2024
British title clash cancelled
The meeting between Reece Bellotti (19-5, KO14) and Michael Gomez Jr (21-1, KO6) for Bellotti’s British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles was scrapped at the very last minute, as Gomez was declared unwell in the changing rooms, and was then ruled out on medical advice, much to the fury of the champion.
Hatton falls short against Flint again
In a rematch at super lightweight, Campbell Hatton (14-2, 5 KOs) was unable to gain revenge against Jimmy Joe Flint (15-2-2, 3 KOs), as Flint took a close win on the cards after ten rounds in a bruising encounter. Flint was declared the winner by scores of 97-94, 96-94 and 96-95.
Further undercard report
10 solid rounds under the belt 🤝@patmccormack14 marks his ring return with a UD win – 100-90, 100-90, 100-90
Let the cut heal and on kick on in 2025 🚀 #McCormackHerrera #CatterallPrograis pic.twitter.com/eavd4NLVsV
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 26, 2024
Featherweight talent Joe McGrail (11-0, 5 KOs) dropped Lewis Morris (8-3, 1 KOs)in the second round of their meeting, and he eventually had to settle for a points win over eight rounds, taking a 79-72 verdict.
Junaid Bostan (10-0, 8 KOs) overcame Argentina’s Maico Sommariva (9-5-1, 8 KOs) in the third round of their super welterweight contest set for eight.
Also at super welterweight, William Crolla (6-0, 5 KOs) needed less than 45 seconds to see off Lorenzo Grasso (6-3, 1 KO).
Middleweight prospect Stephen Clarke (5-0, 1 KO) took all six rounds against Mateusz Pawlowski (2-2, 1 KO), and
Emily Whitworth (1-0, 0 KOs) made her debut, with the bantamweight taking all four rounds against Sara Orszagi (1-3, 0 KOs).
