Another unfortunate twist for Co-op Live as the Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis fight has been postponed.
The Chorley-born and bred boxer was due to take on the American fighter and two-time world champion at the brand-new arena next month but the 31-year-old has suffered an injury which has ultimately ruled him out from fighting as planned.
Having grown up just down the road, Catterall has fought four times in Manchester – most recently in May 2023 with a win by unanimous decision against Darragh Foley – but his next local bout is sadly being pushed back following a fitness issue.
Talk of the fight being called off first broke on Tuesday evening, with ESPN’s MikeCoppinger sharing details on social media, but the reports have now been fully confirmed by promoters Matchroom Boxing and the man himself.
Speaking in a frustrated and apologetic statement on his Instagram, Catterall wrote: “For the first time in my 30-fight career, I’ve had to withdraw due to injury.
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“I want to apologise to everyone who’s bought tickets and made plans to come to the fight. Refunds are available from [the] point of purchase. I’m hoping to have a new date very soon.
“Apologies to my opponent Regis. My health comes first and I always want to ensure I’m at 100% walking into the ring. Thanks again for your continued support, see you all very soon.”
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Although the details surrounding the injury are yet to be disclosed, it isn’t thought to be serious; nevertheless, the Lancashire lad simply won’t be back fit and ready in time to face Prograis.
The fight itself is looking like it will be rescheduled for the fall, most likely October if sources are to be believed, and the arena will be coordinating with those who bought tickets accordingly should they be unable to make the new date and require a refund.
Catterall recently took part in a charity 5k alongside fellow Chorley athlete, Reece Brown, who recently won his first marathon after smashing the Liverpool Half just six months into his running career. The run was set up in partnership with Matchroom to help promote the fight and looked raring to go.
The venue has had a lot of bad luck on its side since first opening back in April, with multiple setbacks delaying the launch and other unforeseen circumstances such as Nicki Minaj and Stevie Nick both having to rearrange dates.
That being said, the flurry of massive gigs is now flowing and the crowds that gathered inside Co-op Live arena for UFC 304 this past weekend, their first-ever sporting event, were sensational and got to sit back and watch as two regional stars prevailed in fine fashion.
Scouse MMA star Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett added another victory to his unbeaten streak and Greater Manchester native Tom Aspinall defended his interim heavyweight title for the first time during the rematch against Curtis Blaydes with a ruthless stoppage in the first round.
Featured Images — Press Image via DAZN/Matchroom Boxing/Co-op Live (supplied)
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Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
31st July 2024 
