During this conversation with Jack Catterallone word – one feeling – comes back again and again. See if you can spot it.
This is where he repeatedly brings up the setbacks of the past two and a half years: the infamously controversial decision to lose to Josh Taylor in February 2022; the Taylor injury that delayed this fight, and the two that delayed the already anticipated rematch this year; and finally Catterall’s own injury, which delayed his next fight against Régis Prograis.
“I had this period where I was inactive, kept away from the ring,” Catterall says. The Independent from Manchester, where he will headline against Prograis on Saturday. “I’m very grateful and lucky to have been busy these past two years. And I was the target when a fight was pushed back. These things happen, we can only control what we can control: being in the gym, being consistent.
“When something else happens, you just have to deal with it. I’m very grateful that the show was postponed as soon as it did (after the August postponement). When I look back on those periods of inactivity, I was always fit and training, so part of me wishes I had that part of my career a few years ago, maybe, because it’s frustrating.
“But at the same time, I have to be realistic, I have to be grateful for what I have. It’s definitely a mix of emotions, but definitely no regrets. Everything happens for a reason and I believe I am where I am supposed to be.
The key word comes up when Catterall talks about the growing appreciation for him around the world. boxing community. It was a respect that was afforded to the Chorley fighter when he was denied ownership of the undisputed welterweight titles, after that first clash with Taylor, and it was a respect that only made grown since then, following his victories over Darragh Foley, Jorge Linares and Taylor in May’s long-awaited rematch.
“I wouldn’t say people’s opinions matter to me, but I feel like I’m coming of age, I’m getting recognition for the fights I’ve fought and what I’ve done,” says Catterall, 31 years. I am very grateful, the support continues to grow. This will be my third marquee fight in 12 months: Liverpool, Leeds, now Manchester. You have to take the time, sit down, realize what you are doing and be grateful for it.
So “grateful” is the word that defines Catterall as he finally enters a new chapter – a Taylor-free chapter. After losing to the Scots in Glasgow thanks to inexcusable scorecards and twice seeing the rematch delayed, Catterall finally got his revenge in May. The fight was exciting. Catterall was once again too skilled for Taylor, but the latter pounced within moments to add danger to his rival.
After 12 rounds of Catterall boxing – surgical blows in fluid combos – he received his reward, which he recorded with a brief roar, before collapsing into tears in the arms of his manager, Sam Jones.
“It was more like two years of being arrested on the street, in gyms, across the country, all over the world,” Catterall says. “People ask me, ‘When will we have that rematch?’ It felt like the final nail in the coffin, the end of the chapter.
“It was a great feeling of relief when the final bell rang. I was sure I did. I say that, but I was confident the first time! Once the scorecards were read, it was a moment of euphoria. It was special.
Talk quickly turned into a world title shot, with a fight against American Prograis – a fellow southpaw – also mentioned.
“The fight started quite quickly“, says Catterall. “We would have loved to box for a world title, but from what I understand: the positioning of the champions and their proxies meant the timing was not right. I didn’t want to wait until 2025 and n only have one fight this year.
“Régis finds himself losing the title (to Devin Haney) in December of last year, without a fight and wanting to get back to title level. So, I think we both said “yeah” right away.
“He’s had a lot of fights, he’s a few years older than me, so he definitely has that ring craft. He has a lot of knockouts, which suggests he has a lot of power. Obviously, he’s a two-time WBC world champion, so it goes without saying that he’s one of the best fighters in the division.
A win against Prograis, 35, would likely secure the world title fight that “El Gato” is eyeing.
“There are a lot of great champions in my division,” says Catterall, “but the names that come to mind are Teofimo Lopez and Liam Paro. Two great fighters, who you would say are probably #1 and #2 in the division, so those are the fights I want.
Catterall is finally getting closer to what he really wants.
