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Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis will meet in a 12-round junior welterweight fight Aug. 24 in Manchester, England, Matchroom Boxing announced Saturday.
The bout will be Catterall’s second consecutive against a former 140-pound champion. Last month, England’s Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) exacted revenge with a unanimous decision win over Josh Taylor in a rematch.
The performance was a career best for Catterall, a 30-year-old pursuing his first world title. In his lone title shot, Catterall suffered a controversial split decision loss to Taylor in February 2022.
“I’ve waited around for big fights to happen before, sitting around waiting for title shots and it caused me a huge amount of inactivity,” said Catterall, ESPN’s No. 3 junior welterweight. “I’ll never do that again. … I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with such a great fighter.”
Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs), a native of New Orleans, lost for the first time in October 2019, a majority decision setback against Taylor in London.
His second defeat came in December, a shutout decision to Devin Haney in a title defense. Now, Prograis, 35, will look to rebound in a high-stakes fight.
“This is a fight I’ve always wanted,” said Prograis, ESPN’s No. 8 junior welterweight. “We were supposed to fight a few years ago but it never materialized. Now is the perfect time.
“I view Jack as one of the best in the world at 140 pounds. It’s a great fight because Jack is eager to become a world champion and I’m looking to become a three-time world champion.”
Source: www.espn.com