Regis Prograis considering move up to 147 pounds, bareknuckle fighting

by Keith Idec

Regis Prograis graciously gave Jack Catterall credit for his victory Saturday night.

The ex-WBA/WBC 140-pound champion applauded the British southpaw for his “sneaky power” and awkwardness during their 12-round, non-title fight at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. Catterall overcame a flash knockdown during the fifth round to drop Prograis twice in the final minute of the ninth round and won a unanimous decision to remain in line for a title shot early in 2025.

Prograis, meanwhile, lost a second straight fight. This defeat wasn’t nearly as one-sided as his previous loss to Devin Haney last December 9 at Chase Center in San Francisco, yet it left him to contemplate whether this would be his last bout at the junior welterweight limit. The New Orleans native felt all the aches and pains of a 35-year-old prizefighter, particularly to his left hand, side of his head, knee and ankle.

When asked in his dressing room by Boxing News’ Andi Purewal if retirement is an option, Prograis admitted, “it depends” on how he feels once he has processed this costly loss.

“I mean, you know, of course I’m emotional right now, you know, after the fight,” Prograis said. “So, you always gonna say a bunch of different things. And I’ll tell you, everybody know about me, I change my mind every three seconds. So, you know, tomorrow it’ll be something different. Next week it’ll be something different. Next month it’ll be something different. … I been wanting to do bareknuckle for a long time. That’s something I really wanted to do.

“But at the same time, maybe give it a try at 147. You know, I been at 140 my whole career and I am getting older, and I always wanted to put on weight. And I stayed at 140 for a long time, so maybe it might be time to go up to 147. But at the same time, you know, we’ll see how it happen.”

Prograis (29-3, 24 KOs) hoped to upset Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs), who was a 4-1 favorite, and move back into contention for a title shot. Instead, it’s Catterall who is in position to fight the winner between the 12-round IBF 140-pound championship clash in which Australia’s Liam Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) will make his initial title defense against New York’s Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) on December 7 at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Judges Dave Braslow (116-109), Manuel Oliver Palomo (117-108) and Bob Williams (116-109) all credited Catterall with winning at least eight rounds. Prograis didn’t disagree afterward.

“I think it was a great fight,” Prograis said. “It was a great fight for, you know, the people of the UK. Obviously, it didn’t go my way. But, I mean, I think that, you know, he deserved it. He deserved to win tonight and, you know, he got it. So, congratulations to him and, you know, it’s all good.”