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A busy Jack Catterall can only be a good thing

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PERHAPS the only thing worse than the decision made after Jack Catterall’s super-lightweight title fight with Josh Taylor in Glasgow in 2022 was that Catterall would have had to opt for a return to the wild rather than receive an immediate and well-deserved rematch.

By wilderness I mean undiscovered, of course, and even that is relative. After all, Catterall managed two good wins over Darragh Foley and Jorge Linares between his ‘loss’ to Josh Taylor and his revenge two and a half years later. But given what happened, Catterall getting nominated to fight Taylor the first time out – taking the Scot’s world title in the process – it’s only natural that Catterall’s career has taken a leisurely turn so far.

That’s why the news of his next fight, set to take place on August 24 against Regis Prograis, has been so well-received and celebrated in some quarters. Coming up against Prograis just three months after beating Taylor in their comeback, suggests that Catterall, 29-1(13), has not only moved on from his great rival, but is now looking to finally build on the momentum of his recent defeat.

“That chapter with Josh is over. It’s a modern chapter,” he said. “I was in a great position before the first fight, number one with the WBO, but I was on the shelf for too long. I think we understand that the division is wide open now. There’s no direct shot at a world title, but I didn’t want to wait until the end of the year or early next year to get back in the ring, hoping to fight for a world title.

“I want the biggest fights. I think Regis said it; outside of the world titles, this is the biggest fight in the division. I had the momentum; you (Eddie Hearn) kept me going, which I’m grateful for. I’m in a great position and I don’t want to sit on the sidelines waiting for fights that might not happen. I’ve got to go in while I’ve got the momentum.”

Jack Catterall celebrates beating Josh Taylor in Leeds

Being busy is one thing, but making progress in the right direction is another. Here, against Prograis, Catterall faces the kind of opponent he will face at this stage of his 12-year professional career.

“Regis is a two-time world champion looking to become a third,” he said. “I know the winner of this fight is in a great position to go on and fight for a world title. This fight excites me; I’m excited. It’s not far from where I live (in Manchester), this Co-op Live arena. I’ve got everything to gain from this fight.

“I’ve been watching Regis for four or five years. I was at the Taylor fight in 2019. I watched him box in Dubai and I was in San Francisco in December, so I’ve seen him and I know what he’s all about. He’s a tough fighter and he deserves it – he’s a two-time world champion. I know exactly what’s in front of me and I’m working demanding.”

If Catterall is about building momentum and striking while the iron is heated, for Prograis it’s more about rediscovering momentum and finding out if he still has something to offer at this level. Prograis, now 35, was coming off a decision loss to Devin Haney, the then WBC super lightweight champion, and on that night he looked a shadow of his former self, albeit in the company of a world-class cameraman.

“We were supposed to fight a few years ago but it never happened, so here we are,” Prograis, 29-2 (24), said of Catterall. “I think it’s the best time. I definitely have to win. I have a goal now. Every time I win the belt, I just don’t care. Now I have a goal again. I want to be a three-time world champion and that’s the man I have to beat. Catterall is one of the biggest names in the division right now. The 140-pound division is filled now and this is the biggest fight they can have without putting the belt on the line. I’m ready to do it again in front of the crazy British fans.”

Regis Prograis hits the pads

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Boxing

The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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