Jack Catterall insists he will ‘pick holes’ in Regis Prograis’ game when they fight for the WBO super-lightweight title in Manchester… as Ricky Hatton insists American rival will ‘bring the best’ out of British star

Sitting down with Ricky Hatton and Jack Catterall at Hatton’s gym in Manchester, it’s impossible to ignore the buzz of anticipation surrounding this weekend’s fight.

Catterall is just one day away from one of the biggest tests of his professional career, facing the formidable Regis Prograis in a showdown that promises to impress.

The highly-anticipated fight marks the first-ever headline bout at Manchester’s new Co-Op Live arena, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

For Catterall, this is not just another fight—it’s a defining moment, one that could pave the way for a world title shot against the likes of Teofimo Lopez Jr or Liam Paro.

Catterall, relaxed but laser-focused, exudes confidence as he discusses his strategy for taking on the American two-time WBC World Champion.

‘I think I can pick holes in him on Saturday night,’ Catterall says matter-of-factly during an exclusive interview alongside Hatton for Mail Sport.

Prograis, known for his aggression and come-forward style, presents a dangerous challenge, but Catterall believes his tactical approach will pay dividends.

‘I’m more of a tactician. I think I’ll be able to slow him down, read his punches, and break him down,’ Catterall explains. ‘But it’s in the six, eighth, 10th that it will get bad for Prograis.

‘He’s going to be down on the scorecards and he’s known for being a big puncher, so there is no doubt he’s going to start taking some risks around that point in the fight.

‘I am going to be more switched on and sharper than any of his other opponents and I will make him pay. Look it’s going to be a tough night but I have no doubt I emerge victorious’.

This fight holds immense significance for Catterall. He’s fully aware that a victory over Prograis would catapult him into world title contention, with names like Lopez Jr and Paro potentially waiting in the wings.

Still, Catterall’s focus remains firmly on the task at hand. ‘Prograis is an aggressive fighter, but I think that works perfectly for me. If I can dictate the pace and stay compact, I think I’ll get there first with my combinations.’

Hatton, who has been there and done it all before, agrees that Prograis is a fighter who can bring out the best in Catterall.

‘If you think of Prograis, he’s only been beaten by Josh Taylor and Devin Haney. So, that shows you that he is still an elite fighter,’ Hatton started. ‘When you look at Haney, you know, you’re looking at pound for pound, elite, real top draw fighter so you can’t criticise Prograis too much.

‘I do think Prograis is an opponent that can bring the best out of Jack even though he is very wide on some of his punches. I think it’s a case of making Prograis fight at Jack’s pace and Jack choosing his right moments.’

This bout will see Catterall go toe-to-toe with one of the most dangerous fighters in the division, but the Chorley man has already shown he can handle adversity.

Earlier this year, he avenged his controversial loss to bitter rival Josh Taylor, a fight that many felt he had won the first time around. The hunger to prove himself on the biggest stage has only grown stronger since that encounter.

Prograis, nicknamed ‘Rougarou’ after a mythical New Orleans werewolf, is coming off a less-than-stellar performance against Devin Haney. But Catterall knows better than to take him lightly.

‘Yeah, it wasn’t his best performance,’ Catterall acknowledges. ‘But as a fighter, you always want to face the best version of your opponent. I expect him to come out and be at his best.

‘I’m not going to lie, I do think he’s slowed down slightly – but I will not be taking my foot off the gas. If anything, I am telling myself he’s going to be even more dangerous because he needs to come out and perform to get back into position to fight for the title.’

Hatton, whose own career was defined by unforgettable nights in Manchester, agreed with Catterall’s comments regarding the underdog mentality being dangerous and referenced his own fight with Kostya Tszyu.

‘No body thought I could beat Kostya Tszyu,’ Hatton reflects. ‘It was only me and Billy Graham that thought I could win. Even on the morning of the fight I was reading the papers and all the papers said I wouldn’t make it past the sixth round.

‘Once I read that I couldn’t forget it. But, I had the belief in myself. And Billy said to me don’t listen to all of this. We’ve been talking about this from day one and that’s what we are going to do. It’s when you are the underdog you end up having one of those superhuman performances.

‘So you can never rule the underdog out. Jack needs to be careful, because that makes Prograis even more dangerous’.

Catterall, who once tarmacked roads to fund his boxing dream, is now headlining one of the biggest venues in his home city—a testament to how far he’s come.

‘I’m in a very grateful position,’ he says, his voice tinged with pride. ‘First headline fight in the Co-Op Arena is phenomenal. But it’s been a long journey. I remember coming up to Ricky’s gym probably 10 years ago and sparring his fighters. Now I am sat here with him talking about my event in Manchester.

‘Starting off with those small hall shows at the Winter Gardens etc to now doing this will never not be special. But it’s not always been easy. I had to really work for this.’

Hatton, always up for a laugh, jumps in with a joke. ‘Jack was tarmacking to afford his training sessions. I was carpet fitting—probably the worst carpet fitter in Manchester,’ he says with a chuckle. ‘I was useless, and I’m guessing there are a lot of potholes in Chorley too!’.

But beneath the banter lies a deeper truth: both men know the value of hard work and how it shapes a fighter’s mentality. ‘It makes you appreciative,’ Hatton says seriously. ‘When you’ve worked those kinds of jobs, you don’t want to go back to it. That’s what gives Jack his die-hard attitude that has made him so successful and continue to keep him successful.’

With the weight of Manchester’s fighting history behind him, Catterall is ready to carve out his own legacy. ‘I’ve been in high-pressure situations before, and I know how to keep my head,’ he says calmly. ‘I’m there to do a job, and I expect to do it correctly on Saturday.’

While Hatton believe Catterall could claim a late round stoppage on Saturday night.

‘I think it could be a late round stoppage for Jack. If he doesn’t get the stoppage, I think you’re down the straight and winning on points. It’s very tough to get the stoppage though. He will need to break him down to manage that.

‘Billy Graham used to say to me, you can’t knock a tree down with one swing. You’ve got to chip away at it and I think if Jack does that then it will be early doors after a straight hand.’

As Catterall prepares to face Prograis, it’s clear that this fight could be the one that defines his career. Win, and the doors to a world title shot will swing wide open. But first, he must get past Prograis, a fighter who is every bit as dangerous as he is experienced.

In the gym that shaped Hatton’s own legendary career, surrounded by the echoes of past battles, Catterall looks ready for whatever comes his way.

Watch Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis at Co-Op Arena on Saturday night live on DAZN.