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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

Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC

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Badou Jack Rozicki Mikaelian WBC

The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).

If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.

“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.

“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.

The next move is Badou Jack’s.

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Boxing

Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years

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Floyd Mayweather 50-0

Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.

This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.

In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.

“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.

“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.

Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.

Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.

Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.

In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.

It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.

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Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

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Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

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