Regis Prograis Needs A Good Showing Against Jack Catterall
In his first fight since his second loss, to WBC junior welterweight Devin Haney, two-time champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (29-2, 24 KO’s) will face the highly skilled southpaw Jack “El Gato” Catterall (29-1, 13 KO’s). And if Prograis wins, he’d be right back in the middle of talks for more big fights. Yet, if Rougarou loses the affair, is it possible that he could be shriveled to the station of gatekeeper?
In all rights, this is a solid match-up, as announced by Eddie Hearn following Catterall besting Josh Taylor, that should provide great and memorable action.
“August 24, the new Co-op Arena in Manchester, Jack Catterall against Regis Prograis. That’s the fight we are going to make! Fantastic fight, one of the best in the division!”
Despite coming to the sport later than most, Prograis has always been a talented boxer. Even when he suffered his premiere defeat to one-time undisputed champion Josh Taylor, Prograis gave Taylor all he could handle. In fact, the majority decision could have easily gone either way.
In Rougarou’s last loss however, he was soundly undressed by Haney, skillwise. To make matters even worse, it was Haney’s first fight in the division. Even worse still, Haney is now routinely being ridiculed in boxing circles after losing at the hands of Ryan Garcia. With the ridiculously lopsided loss to Haney so fresh in the fanbases minds, Prograis’s stock has never been lower.
NOTHING FAIR ABOUT WAR!
Again, in all actuality, Prograis is a tough, heavy-handed opponent who many were never eager to hop in the ring with. As the typical vernacular goes, he’s often been ‘more risk than reward.’ This is merely the politics of the sport. Yet, with his value so diminished in the eyes of the fans, can his marketable reputation survive back-to-back losses?
Another element to consider, while also a terrific pugilist, Catterall has never been considered ‘must-see TV’ in the US. Therefore, a loss to Jack Catterall would be particularly deflating to Prograis’s cause. And due to the skill of El Gato, it’s not beyond the scope of reason to see him stage a one-sided boxing lesson as Haney did.
Therefore, it stands to reason that this could be something of a crossroads fight for Prograis. As a prideful fighter, who professes to want to hold a championship title again, can he afford another loss of any kind at the seasoned age of 35? And if he does come up short, would he indeed be branded with the unsavory distinction of ‘gatekeeper’ by the fans? Only time will tell. Yet, for Progais and his fanbase, this is a question that he should toil mightily not to have to answer!
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