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."
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