Manchester’s Co-op Live Eyes Boxing Spotlight Starting with Catterall vs. Prograis
Co-op Live, Manchester's new state-of-the-art venue, aims to become a top destination for boxing events, starting with the Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis clash. Venue manager Rebecca Kane Burton envisions a strong future in combat sports.
Image Credits: JMEnternational/Getty Images
Co-op Live, Manchester’s latest state-of-the-art venue, can become the destination of choice for Britain’s finest boxers after staging Jack Catterall’s highly anticipated clash with Regis Prograis according to its manager Rebecca Kane Burton.
Catterall vs. Prograis Marks Venue’s Boxing Debut
Catterall, from nearby Chorley, faces former two-time world super lightweight champion Prograis at the arena on October 26th with the winner then expected to challenge for one of the division’s four major belts.
Originally scheduled for August but postponed when Catterall suffered an injury in training, the bout will take place three months after the site, located in the shadow of Manchester City’s home stadium, staged a UFC show which was broadcast across the globe.
Image Credit:s JMEnternational/Getty Images
The decision to host Catterall’s meeting with Prograis, who held the WBC strap before being defeated by Devin Haney, forms part of a conscious push by the people tasked with running Co-op Live to position it as one of the first ports of call for promoters looking to arrange top-level fights.
Building a Legacy in Combat Sports
Explaining that boxing’s reach and positive impact upon local communities makes it a natural partner for a facility which is committed to being socially responsible, Kane Burton revealed Catterall versus Prograis could be the first of many such events at the £450m site.
“Potentially, we want to carve a niche in combat sports,” she told SportsBoom.com.
The timing is perfect, especially because of our positioning.
Rebecca Burton
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn Backs Co-op Live
Catterall’s promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, spoke excitedly about Co-op Live’s potential to become a regular feature on the domestic boxing circuit during a recent media event designed to publicise the 31-year-old’s upcoming clash with 140lb great Prograis, whose only defeats in a 31-fight career have come at the hands of Haney and former undisputed champion Josh Taylor.
Prograis, from Louisiana, stopped Kiryl Relikh to claim the WBA crown four years before his loss to Haney.
Catterall beat Taylor when they faced each other in a rematch earlier this year, taking his professional record to 29-1 after dropping a controversial points verdict to the Scot in 2022.
Purpose-Built for Spectators
Kane Burton said: “The venue is unique and special, so we’ll explore anything that works.”
“This is purpose built for spectators. So much effort, design and thought has been put into how it feels.”
“With UFC and boxing coming in, anything can happen. Boxing is a gift for us, because it keeps people so tight.”
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.
Social Responsibility at the Core
“We want to make connections with local communities and the sports within them.”
“Personally, I have an interest in boxing, it gets kids off the streets and keeps them away from things like crime and drugs.”
“Everyone knows the story, but it resonates with me because I’ve got a boxer in the family.”
Kane Burton, who was handpicked to run Co-op Live following its delayed opening earlier this year, is one of the most experienced operators in her profession having previously held senior roles at both Alexandra Palace and London’s O2.
It was at the latter where the Cambridge educated Kane Burton first gained experience of working with leading boxers and boxing promoters, with former heavyweight king David Haye regularly appearing there.