Harlem Eubank admits there was a slight sense of disappointment when the recent announcement confirmed Chris Eubank Jnr-Conor Benn II for September 20. Speaking before his own crossroads clash against Jack Catterall in Manchester this Saturday, the 31-year-old south-coast stylist claimed he'd been hoping for a blockbuster with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez instead. “You can never recreate everything that made their first fight so special,” Harlem told Boxing Scene. "After that amazing night, I wanted Chris to go in with Canelo and do what he does.”
Part of Harlem's reasoning relates to weight. The April victory over Benn, for which Harlem fully accepts the “biggest win of his career” stated Eubank Jr. was fighting at a punishing 160 lbs catch-weight that left Eubank, in his cousin's words, “a shell of himself.” Harlem believes further draining just endangers both performance and their family name. “Those games - trying to make him the weakest version of himself - should never be played in boxing,” he said. “I wanted him fully fuelled against one of the best in the sport. He’s earned that night after beating everything that was stacked against him.”
Watch Catterall vs. Eubank face-off: Watch
While all the promotional headlines are swirling around September, Harlem has his own proving ground on July 5. The slick super-lightweight meets former world-title challenger Jack Catterall at the Manchester Arena, hungry to continue the Eubank resurgence: “The Eubank name is back at the top of the sport, and I want to consolidate that this weekend at world level.”
Follow Catterall vs. Eubank fight here.
Image Credit: Sky Sports