Boxing
Family Fuelling the Fire: Jack Catterall’s Drive to the World Title as a Husband and Father
Jack Catterall credits his family for his intensified drive to become super lightweight world champion after defeating Regis Prograis. His wife and daughter fuel his quest for boxing glory.
Image Credits: George Wood/Getty Images
Jack Catterall believes becoming a husband and a father has made him a much more dangerous fighter, after taking another step towards becoming world super light-weight champion by beating Regis Prograis last weekend.
Becoming Stronger Through Family
The 31-year-old from Chorley, who could be set to face either WBO king Teofimo Lopez or Liam Paro for the IBF belt next year following his unanimous points victory over the American on Saturday night, married his partner Lauren after beating Josh Taylor five months ago.
Underlining his determination to dominate the division, Catterall decided to forgo a long honeymoon in favour of an immediate return to trainer Jamie Moore’s Manchester-based stable.
Although Catterall is indebted to Moore, his promoter Eddie Hearn and manager Sam Jones for their advice and guidance before defeating Prograis at Co-op Live, he also cites his wife and young daughter Riley as critical members of Team ‘El Gato’.
“It’s impossible to overstate how important they are,” Catterall told SportBoom.com.
“They see me at my best after a win, but they are also the ones who see me at my worst, when I’m making weight or having to train really hard and getting into the mindset.”
“They deal with all of that. They live it on a day-to-day basis. In boxing, it’s important to have the right people around you. There’s no one more important for a boxer than family.”
“I’ve always been focused and determined on achieving my goals,” Catterall continued. “You have to be motivated to do it for yourself.”
“But since I became a dad, I’m even more focused on making sure I provide for my family and giving them the kind of life they deserve.”
What I do isn’t easy. It’s not easy for any of us. But now I’m doing it for someone other than myself. I’m doing it for family.
Jack Catterall I
Consolidating His Status Among Boxing’s Elite
Catterall’s victory over Prograis, previously holder of the WBA belt and WBC champion until last year, consolidated his position among the top four ranked fighters by every major sanctioning body. After touching the canvas in the fifth round of an initially cagey contest, Catterall then floored Prograis twice during an explosive ninth.
Speaking afterwards, Prograis, who before losing to the 31-year-old had only been conquered by Devin Haney and Taylor, described the Lancastrian as the “best” opponent he has faced during an illustrious and storied career.
Looking Ahead to World Title Ambitions
Catterall avenged the only defeat on his professional record when he outpointed Taylor at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Hearn has mooted the possibility of trying to tempt Lopez to these shores next year, after hearing Prograis urge Matchroom to deliver Catterall a world title fight.
But Paro, providing he makes a successful defence against Richardson Hitchins in December, could be a more viable option. Likewise, Hitchins, who used social media to warn Catterall that he will shortly remove the Australian from the equation ahead of Prograis’ visit to Manchester.
“Lauren and I got married and then, basically, it was straight back to work,” Catterall said. “We had a great day and then that was it - straight back to the gym and I’ve been working hard ever since.”
I don’t want to stand still. I’ve got momentum and I want to build on that. It’s all about reaching the very top and becoming world champion.
Jack Catterall
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.