Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis will meet on this weekend’s marquee matchup, with the pair of 140 lb veterans headlining a DAZN-streamed card from Manchester, England.
The 35-year-old Prograis (29-2, 24 KO) is trying to bounce again from a pair of dreadful performances in 2023, together with a one-sided loss to Devin Haney and a really tough win over Danielito Zorrilla. The 31-year-old Catterall (29-1, 13 KO) seems to be to make it a four-fight win streak following his controversial 2022 loss to Josh Taylor.
So who wins?
Scott Christ
Rooting for Regis simply within the sense of desirous to see him do so much higher than he has in his final two fights, but it surely’s greater than the final two fights, too. When he will get into the ring with Catterall on Saturday, it will likely be 5 years to the day of the final combat we noticed Prograis in that I believe holds actual weight, his shut loss to Josh Taylor.
Since then, Prograis has launched into a collection of an expert missteps that led him to a one-off with PBC, a one-off with Triller, a one-off in Dubai that got here from his determination to signal with the now-shuttered MTK World, a one-off with the best promoter of all Marvin Nation, and two fights with Matchroom the place he simply seemed cooked.
Prograis at all times boasted the kind of distinctive model that ran the chance of getting older actually badly, and until he makes main modifications or is in some way stunningly revitalized, he’s going to battle with the basic-but-effective work of Catterall, who is likely one of the most actually constant fighters in all of boxing, fight-to-fight and round-to-round.
As soon as once more, Catterall gained’t “wow” anybody, he gained’t knock your socks off. However he’ll win. I believe we’d all love for Regis to rock up rejuvenated and harmful — and his energy will nonetheless be one thing for Catterall to watch out of, for positive — but it surely’s actually laborious to sincerely choose that to occur based mostly on current kind. I believe the largest hazard for Catterall is complacency, and contemplating he nonetheless hasn’t lifted a world title, I believe he maintains loads of motivation nowadays. Catterall UD-12
Wil Esco
It’s not that I dislike Prograis in any means, but it surely appears lots clear to me from his final couple of performances that Prograis has misplaced his mojo and this isn’t like some Austin Powers film the place he’s going to embark on a implausible journey to search out it once more.
Prograis is what he’s at this level, a diminishing 35-year-old fighter who struggles in opposition to good technical boxers. Devin Haney isn’t identified for his energy, and was nonetheless capable of fully field Prograis up for a complete 12 rounds with out a lot bother in any respect. Catterall is an effective, cagey boxer too, and I believe he finds comparable success in opposition to Prograis the place he’s capable of maintain him from organising efficient energy pictures for essentially the most half, and that can present a transparent path to a factors win over the space. Catterall UD-12
John Hansen
I actually, actually wish to consider that Prograis has just a little of the magic left, however I at all times wish to consider that about guys I liked to look at. I’ve a foul tendency to disclaim what I’m seeing when guys like Francisco Vargas begin displaying that they’re previous it. At the least with Vargas, there are two Battle of the 12 months winners that present why he was such a delight to look at. With Prograis, I’ll simply be in a disreputable retirement residence sometime, ranting to nobody specifically how “no person else moved like him” and “if he hadn’t misplaced his belts simply when COVID and promotional points hit proper in his prime…” whereas a bored attendant steals my medicine and piles yet one more blanket on my lap as my bones flip slowly to mud.
In a previous dialogue about how usually seemingly washed-up fighters bounce again, somebody talked about Nonito Donaire. So there’s an opportunity! However even in his lowest moments, Donaire arguably wasn’t wherever close to what we noticed from Prograis his final trip. Frankly, I don’t assume a gastroenterologist’s affected person toilet at closing time has ever seemed as dangerous as Regis seemed in opposition to Haney. Towards the regular, dependable competence of Jack Catterall, it’s actually laborious to see a Regis renaissance. I positive hope I’m improper, although. Catterall UD-12
Patrick Stumberg
A dominant Prograis victory could be a boon to the stagnant tremendous light-weight ecosystem. Between Teofimo Lopez’s inconsistency, Devin Haney’s self-imposed exile, and Subriel Matias’ current defeat, the division is terminally sauceless for the time being. Not saying Liam Paro isn’t an excellent watch or that there aren’t enjoyable up-and-comers like Adam Azim, Dalton Smith, and Tito Mercado ready within the wings, but it surely might use a shot within the arm.
Actually don’t assume it’ll get one right here, although. Prograis has proven a putting incapability to chop off the ring and shut the hole recently; it’s one factor to get kited by Devin Haney, however a slugger of Prograis’ pedigree shouldn’t battle to stroll down Danielito Zorrilla. Barring a surprising re-invention that I doubt Prograis is able to at 35 years previous, Catterall is greater than sharp sufficient to remain out of his wheelhouse and punish his myriad defensive lapses.
Even with the power-up of being a Rougarou in October, he simply doesn’t have it in him anymore to drag off the hunt. Catterall drops him not less than as soon as en path to a cushty victory. Catterall UD-12
