24 October 2024
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
| Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Welcome everyone to Manchester, and it’s a big one. Our main event is one of the best fights available at 140lbs. Jack Catterall, his third fight this calendar year after headlining in Liverpool against Jorge Linares, headlining in Leeds against Josh Taylor and now headlining against the ever-dangerous former World champion Regis Prograis at the Co-Op Live. “It’s a brilliant fight and a brilliant fight card, and we open up with an undercard that features so many young fighters that are going to be imperative to the growth and future of boxing in this country and worldwide as well.” Jack Catterall: “We spoke after the last fight and you said Eddie that we could get a World title shot in 2025, and I’ve been in the position before where I’ve been waiting on something that might not happen. So my instruction to Sam Jones and to Matchroom was that I want to fight the best and Regis was the name proposed and we jumped at it. “The chapter with Josh Taylor is done, we move on, and we’ve got a big job on Saturday. I think Regis is right in saying that his last two performances weren’t his best, so he’s in a position where he needs to turn up, and I put the pressure on myself to be in his position, he’s had his time in the sun, he’s boxed for World titles, he’s won World titles, and that’s what I want. “He probably has the better resume as I’ve yet to win a World title and he has, but I’m ready to prove that on Saturday. I’m expecting him to come with everything he’s said in the build up. We’ve seen his fights, he’s a strong fighter and will come looking for it but I’m the better boxer.” Jamie Moore: “The reason why decided to go ahead with this fight is that Regis is in the other corner, and Jack needs the best type of fighter to bring the best out of him. It was a long process over a few years where we got the chance to get to this point where he’s on the world stage and he’s able to show people what he is capable of. We were signing his praises and banging the drum for him for a long time, and thankfully he got the opportunity, but it didn’t go our way. He’s come back, he’s righted that wrong, and he deserves a World title. But it’s no good Jack just having a tick over fight, trying to get a win and waiting for that World title fight, because they’re the potential banana skins. We know how good Regis is, we know Jack has to be on his game, and that’s the reason why we decided to take the fight because we know he’ll have to be at his best. “We know the styles will blend for a great fight. People are always sleeping on Jack’s power. We know he’s not going to be a GGG, he’s not that type of fighter, but when he hits you believe me, you know about it. We have a hell of a lot of respect for Regis, it’s the reason we’re sat here now, we know how good he is, what he’s achieved, the power he possesses and the danger he brings – but that’s going to bring the best out of Jack.” Regis Prograis: “This is a fight I wanted, we were supposed to fight a long time ago but it didn’t happen for whatever reason. I felt that they didn’t;t want to fight, I think that you Eddie backed them into a corner. But it’s a big fight, the best at 140 without the belts, and I’m just feeling super calm, confident and relaxed about everything. I don’t even feel like I’m away from home to be honest, everyone has been so nice, I thought people would be more hostile and the crowd to talk shit to me, but no-one has said anything! I feel like I am back in my bag again, but we can talk, on Saturday night we’ll see, I don’t feel I know that there’s different levels to this game. Jack and I have some similar opponents, but you take Josh Taylor off of his resume and what does he have? Nothing. Take Josh from mine, and I’m still a two-time World champion. I’m going to go out and show that there’s levels and that skills pay the bills, so let’s go. “When I was a World champion it was kind of like ‘what is there left to do?’ When I don’t have the belt I’m back hungry, back on my grind, i want to get that again. My goal is to be a three-time World champion and nothing is going to get in the way of that. “I plan on doing my thing. I’m not Muhammad Ali, I don’t predict the round, if I do what I’ve been doing in the gym, I don’t want to say easy, but it shouldn’t be what people say it’s going to be, no 50-50 stuff. “Every time I fight I want to make a statement. The main thing is that I do it for legacy. Money is cool, but for me it’s for legacy, I want to be able to say I am the best at 140. I’ve done it twice and I want to do it again.” Bobby Benton: “It’s been a great camp, the atmosphere has been good. It’s been a boring camp but fun for him. Sam Jones and Jack have made a big mistake. Jack deserves a World title fight, it’s great for us, but it’s bad for them. We’re going to have a good night. “Regis is definitely back to himself. He had a couple of bad camps, and that’s part of boxing, he went through it and now he’s sharp as he ever was. “Regis is a better fighter but Jack definitely deserves a World title fight, he should be fighting for the World title on Saturday but instead he’s going to get beaten by Regis Prograis.” Reece Bellotti: “I don’t think it will be me getting KO’d, but it’s going to be a great fight. Our styles are bound to gel in that ring and it’s going to be a good tear-up. “Professional boxing is all down to your experiences, and not a lot of people mention it but moving up in weight has been a massive thing for me. For the last few fights at nine stone I was dead, people say ‘it’s only four pounds’, but that is a lot for a boxer and it’s helped me massively, and you’ll see that on Saturday night. “A ring is a ring, he’ll have the fans but they can’t fight for him. Last time I came up here I beat Aqib Fiaz, this time I’ll beat Michael and the journey continues.” Michael Gomez Jr: “We can only get a war and that’s what you are going to get, it’s as simple as that. I absolutely have the tools to beat him and stop him. “It’s the first British title fight in this new arena, so it has to be a winner from Manchester, you can’t let someone from London come up here and win, I have to win.”Someone is getting flat packed, it might be him, it might be me.” James Flint: “I believe it’s repeat on Saturday night, 110 per cent. I didn’t think he would take the rematch this soon. He is saying he didn’t want any warm up fights, if that’s the case, why wasn’t this pencilled in for the August show? But we’re here and I believe it’s going to be repeat. “There’s going to be a problem if he doesn’t bring another version isn’t there. If he doesn’t improve anywhere, it’s just going to be a win again for me, and then his career is basically over after back-to-back losses to me. He’s finished. “I’m fan-friendly and my fans follow me wherever I go, in Doncaster, when one goes to war, we all go to war. I believe it’s a KO win.” Campbell Hatton: “I’m just excited. Pressure is something that I’ve had from the very start of my career. It’s nothing new. It’s a must-win fight, but the way I’ve been performing in the gym with the new set-up, we’re coming into this with a lot of confidence. “I did a lot wrong in the first fight, as good a fight as it was, so there has been a lot we can change and adapt, and we have. “I’m expecting to stop him. I had success early last time but i was making mistakes that cost me the fight. We’ve put those mistakes right, we’ve made a few adaptations to my style, and people are going to be in for a shock. “It is must-win but I’m using that as fuel to go in and get the job done and I am more than confident that’s what i am going to do.” Pat McCormack: “I want to thank you for getting me on this show, thank my coaches for training me for this fight, I’m just ready to go. I’ve had setback after setback, but I’ve stayed in the gym, stayed dedicated, and we’re going to see on Saturday night, I can’t wait to get back in there. “I think I am on a different level to him. I’ve got to get through the test, which I’m fully confident of doing a job on him, and then we go from there and get active in 2025, get more titles and keep climbing the ladder.” Williams Andres Herrera: “I want to say thank you to Matchroom for giving me this opportunity to fight. We’ve been waiting a long time for this fight, it didn’t happen last time because my opponent got injured, but we’re back again as competitive Argentinians and we’re here to show that this is the acid test for him. “We’re Argentinians, we have big balls, and we’re going to put him in a real test on Saturday night. We always come forward and we’re going to show what we’re made of. And I want to remind you that we’re World champions.” Junaid Bostan: “I know that this guy can punch a bit but I am meant to deal with my man on Saturday and then move on to a big 2025. It’s been a frustrating year, I’ve only boxed once, but I am happy to be fighting in Manchester, I’ve got a lot of good memories here, and I’m looking to make more of them come Saturday. “A certain someone who says that they manage Ishmael Davis said that the fight isn’t agreed, but the last time I checked the circular, it’s agreed. So take it as you will on who is telling the lies there. I take it as it comes, I won’t speak ill of Ish, he’s a good guy and he did well against Josh Kelly. I know there’s a better version of him that fought Josh, he only had six days notice, so when it happens it will happen, and it will be a good fight. “I’m confident in myself against anyone you put me in with, that’s the problem, and I’m a little frustrated with it all to be honest. But what will come, will come, and I’ll show that in the new year, but first of all I’ll deal with my man.” Maico Sommariva: “I want to thank Matchroom for the opportunity. You know that Argentine fighters are really competitive and we leave everything in the ring on the night. We’re here to put on a show and we’re ready.” William Crolla: “It’s a good step-up on Saturday night but it’s one I believe I am ready for. If I do what I do in the gym, it’ll be the same treatment the last four have got, and I’m looking for the fifth stoppage in a row. “It’s the toughest fight of my career, but I get the rounds in in the gym, and that’s where the work is done, fight night is just a small part of it, where you have to look good and you’ll see big improvements again on Saturday and I believe it will be another stoppage. “I think I’ve got a fan-friendly style and it’s great to see that support growing with every fight. I just want to continue learning, stay grounded, keep taking opportunities and build a fan base in Manchester. I think it’s about time someone from Manchester starts topping bills here and I believe I’ve got everything for it to be me.” Ste Clarke: “I want to say thanks for putting on another big show, I appreciate it, I’m bringing all my fans again so I can’t wait for Saturday night, and putting on a performance. “The stable is growing, we’re all learning off each other with Stephen Smith, the gym is booming at the moment and we’re all benefitting. So as I move up the ranks, I’m going to be ready for it all. “There’s loads of domestic fights out there at Middleweight, and when the time is right I’ll be ready for it. I’ve just got to keep my eyes on the opponents right in front of me, and take it as it goes.” Joe McGrail: “The gym is flying, we’re on a KO streak at the moment and I’ll be looking to keep that going on Saturday. It’s the biggest fight of Peter’s career too and he’ll be taking heads off on December 21. “This is my last eight rounder then it’s on to ten rounders after that so I think I am ready for titles really soon.” Emily Whitworth: “I’m ready and I can’t wait. Thank you for having me on the show and my manager Kieran Farrell for not giving up. I can’t wait to put in a good performance and get my career started.”I’ve been in the gym everyday, training hard, and the postponement just gave me more time to prepare for this.” Alfie Sharman, DAZN: “It’s great to be in Manchester. It’s an unbelievable time for us at DAZN and what a fight we have ahead of us on Saturday with Jack and Regis. Jack is on a brilliant run with a great performance against Josh Taylor in May, I wish the best of luck to everyone on the card. “At DAZN, the global home of boxing which we say so often because it’s true, we have over 150 fights a year. We’ve got an unbelievable schedule and we’re announcing today an early Black Friday offer to fight fans of 50 per cent off all subscription plans in the US and up to 33 per cent off in the UK, look out for DAZN’s social media handles for more details on that today. “Why so early for Black Friday? Because we’re on an unbelievable run for fights for our business, we’ve got this fight, then we go to Philadelphia for Boots and Bam, we go onto Latino Night in Riyadh where Chris Billam-Smith faces ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, then there’s Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai in Birmingham; in four weeks alone that’s some incredible fights on the platform. “ |
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