JACK Catterall said he is excited about the prospect of facing two-time world champion Regis Prograis at Co-Op Live Arena next month - the first boxing event to be held at the new Manchester venue.

The Chorley fighter says he wants to build on the momentum of his revenge victory against Josh Taylor and says the days of sitting around for fights is over as he prepares himself for the next chapter in his boxing career.

The 30-year-old meets Prograis on Saturday, August 24 - with the winner likely to get a shot at a super lightweight world title.

“That chapter with Josh now is closed,” said Catterall. “It’s a new chapter. Before the first fight I found myself in a great position, number one in the WBO, but I was sitting on the shelf for too long.

“I think we understand that the division is wide open right now. There’s no immediate shot at the world title but I didn’t want to be waiting until the back end of the year or early next year to get back in the ring, with the hopes of maybe landing a world title fight.

“Like I said to Sam (Jones, his manager) and I said to Eddie Hearn, I want the biggest fights. I think Regis said it, bar the world titles this is the biggest fight in the division.

“I’m in a great position and I don’t want to be sat to the side waiting for fights to happen that might not happen. I need to strike while I’ve had the momentum.”

Catterall knows Prograis will provide him with a tough test but he has observed the American and close quarters and says he is working hard ahead of their Manchester showdown.

“Regis is a two-time world champion looking to become three,” he said. “I know the winner of this fight is in a great position with you to go on and challenge for a world title.

“This fight gets me up, I’m excited, it’s not far from where I live this Co-op Live arena. I’ve got everything to gain in this fight.

“I’ve been watching Regis for four or five years. I was at the fight against Taylor in 2019. I’ve watched him box in Dubai, I was in San Francisco in December so I’ve been seeing him and I know what he’s about.

“He’s a tough fighter and he’s earned his right – he’s a two-time World Champion. I know exactly what stands in front of me and I’m working hard.

“ I’ve been straight back in the gym. No rest, no honeymoon, straight back to work.”

Prograis is looking forward to finally stepping in to the ring against Catterall as the 35-year-old targets a third world title.

“I feel like me and Jack is the biggest fight you can make in the division without a belt being on the line,” he said.

“We were actually supposed to fight a few years ago but it just never happened, and so now we’re here. I think this is the best time right now. For sure, it’s must-win.

“ I have a goal now. Every time I get the belt I kind of just don’t care about it. Now I have a goal again. I want to be a three-time World Champion and this is the man that I have to get past.

“Catterall is one of the biggest names in the division right now. The 140lbs division is stacked right now. Like I said, this is the biggest fight that they can make without a belt being on the line.

“I’m ready to do it again in front of the crazy UK fans.”