After a highly controversial split decision loss to undisputed champion Josh Taylor last month, Jack Catterall has announced a new promotional deal with Richard Schaefer’s upstart Probellum imprint.
Catterall confirmed the news while in Dubai to attend’s Probellum’s Friday card headlined by French Olympic gold medalist Estelle Mossley becoming the first woman to main event a boxing card in the Middle East.
“Everyone in boxing knows that I won the fight with Taylor and that I should be standing here with all four of the super-lightweight belts as the undisputed champion of the world,” said Catterall. “I showed the world that at I am the best man in the 140lbs division and signing with Probellum will provide me with the opportunities to claim the belts that are rightfully mine.”
Taylor, who’s said the stress of making the 140-pound limit affected his performance, would entertain a rematch if Catterall is willing to move up to welterweight (147 pounds). Catterall remains focused on the 140-pound division, and plans to scout another recent Probellum signing in Regis Prograis, who squares off against Tyrone McKenna in a WBC title eliminator Saturday night (March 19)
“I will be ringside again on Saturday night here in Dubai, to watch Prograis against McKenna very closely and I really fancy a fight with the winner,” Catterall explained. “I just can’t wait to get back in the ring and fighting again.”
Since Probellum’s start in September 2021, the company has also signed Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes, Lee McGregor and Dina Thorslund.
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Considering that Catterall is already a client of the management company MTK Global, who has a working relationship with Probellum and possibly even a significan financial interest (MTK trademarked the Probellum name in 2019), this signing isn’t too surprising.
Where it gets interesting is Catterall’s future path to the super lightweight belts as an “uncrowned” champion. The road isn’t simple when you have an uncooperative champion. Ask Mauricio Herrera, who after his close decision loss to then champion Danny Garcia never got close to a rematch and ended up falling out of title contention after defeats to lesser fighters. Catterall seems to know welterweight is step too far and if Taylor vacates the titles as expected, Catterall feels his best bet will be to fight for the various vacant titles potentially against guys like Prograis.
It’s a bit risky. With the controversy, you’d think the money is in a Taylor rematch no matter the weight. If Catterall went up to welterweight and lost, he’d still would have gotten a sizable payday and would still remain in line for title shots at 140. However, just because Taylor said he’d rematch him at 147 doesn’t mean the Scotsman has any intention of following through. A Prograis win would definitely ensure Catterall maintains a high ranking across all sanctioning bodies.
Do you think Catterall’s Probellum signing was the best move?
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 