Below are a selection of quotes from today’s Jack Catterall (30-2, 13 KOs) vs Harlem Eubank (21-0, 9 KOs) launch press conference ahead of their all-British Welterweight showdown at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday July 5, shown live worldwide on DAZN.
Jack Catterall reveals he has been experiencing sparring in America following his split decision defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr. last February.
And Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin, Harlem, is ready to take on and overcome the best version of Jack Catterall to show that he is ready to become a world champion.
Watch the full press conference back on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.
Jack Catterall:
“147 lbs. I find myself in a position now where I can make 140 lbs, obviously the natural step would be to go to 147. It’s got to be the right fight. If the right fights come at 140 in the future then we’ll consider that. Me and Harlem spoke before. I think he was only fighting at 140 around two or three fights ago. When it got proposed at Welterweight, it did me a favour.
“It’s a blessing and a privilege to be able to come back to Manchester and headline. Thank you DAZN and Matchroom Boxing for that. I find myself in a position where my back is against the wall coming off a defeat. I’ve been working on myself since the fight. I took myself to America to do a lot of sparring. I’ve come home and I knuckled down to training.
“When the phone rang and they presented Harlem, it was a yes. It’s always been a yes. I’ve never turned down any fights. What excites me about this fight is the domestic fights. They’re the fights that, throughout my career, I’ve probably performed my best. The pressure is on but I think I thrive under the pressure. Coming off a defeat [to Arnold Barboza Jr], I’ve got to go in there and perform and prove that I belong at this level.”
Harlem Eubank:
“This is the opportunity that I’ve been training for since I came into the sport. I came in because I want to become World Champion. Jack Catterall is a world class operator. He’s proven it time and time again. Now is my opportunity to go in there and show people I’m ready to win a World Title. Jack is the type of fighter I need to overcome to fulfil my ambitions in the sport. We’re prepared, we’re ready. We know how good Jack is. This fight isn’t about how good Jack is. This is about how good I am, and I’m ready to show the world.
“This is the time the fight was meant to happen. I believe that Jack Catterall is in the best form of his life. He’s just coming off defeat at the highest level. As he said, he’s taken himself out to America, we’re going to see the best version of Jack Catterall in there on July 5th, and that’s the man that I’m ready to overcome.”
Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO:
“We’ve had a great run in Manchester in recent times, obviously led by Jack Catterall. I think this is a tremendous main event. Domestic fights are what people buy into. It’s the kind of fight that we need to make to keep the sport building in the UK. When we spoke about this fight, there were discussions with everyone around whether this was the right route to go, and within two or three days it was made. That doesn’t always happen in boxing, as we know. This was a fight both guys wanted. It’s a great fight for both guys. I think it’s the perfect fight for both of them. I’m excited for it.”
Nisse Sauerland, Wasserman Boxing:
“Jack Catterall has got it all to lose. Harlem is coming in here, it’s his first world class step up. Obviously he’s coming off his great victory over Tyrone McKenna. He looked a million dollars. Where does he go? Do we do another McKenna fight? Around that level. Or do we go for the big boys? Props to both men. I didn’t expect Harlem to accept it so quickly. Jack, if he loses, it’s not the greatest position for him, coming off the back of a couple of losses in a row. Props to both guys for taking it. Harlem, I believe, can go all the way. Obviously Jack is in the way now. I do think he has the skills to beat Jack. I see this as a bit of a Froch-Kessler fight. Two gentlemen. They’re going to take it very very serious. Two warriors. No trash talking needed. I think the fight will sell itself. I do think Harlem will win. The time is right for us. The time is right for Harlem. Charlie believes he is ready, so I’ve got to put my trust in the fighter.”
Jamie Moore, Catterall’s trainer:
“Jack Catterall’s work ethic and his commitment to the sport is like something I’ve never seen. As you would expect, after you first loss, he had a good rest – he needed a good rest – because that was the most active he’d been for years. Two of those camps were extended, which meant they were longer than you’d want. There was a little bit of fatigue there and I feel like the rest has done him the world of good. His attitude has always been bulletproof. He’s always been that one track mind type of fighter. It’s not an easy fight, but at 31-years-old coming into his peak years he doesn’t want to be looking backwards and getting an easier fight. People have questioned whether Harlem is going to be able to make this step up, but at some point in your career you have to take that step up. You either sink or swim. In my opinion, Jack Catterall will beat him because he’s too good.”
Charlie Beatt, Eubank’s trainer:
“This is a great fight for Harlem. Both of these young men I think should be commended for the way that they conduct themselves in and out of the ring. I think it’s going to be a fantastic fight. I just believe that Harlem has got the speed, the power and the tenacity to beat Jack Catterall.”
Sam Jones, Catterall’s manager:
“First of all, it really is a brilliant fight. We want to give people fights that the British people care about. The British public will care about this fight because it’s a domestic fight, they’re the best fights. Credit to Harlem for taking the fight. It’s a big step up for him. It’s a monumental step up. I don’t believe he is going to be ready for the task. I think it’s going to be all too much for him. Jack and Harlem both have a responsibility to make this a good fight. Harlem has just watched his cousin take part in one of the best fights I have ever seen. He’s under immense pressure as well.”
Jamie Conlan, Eubank’s manager:
“It’s a fight that Harlem has been asking for for a while. Jack has been to the top. It’s a massive opportunity for him to test himself. It’s the hardest fight you could pick in the division in Britain. There’s a lot of pressure on the line for Jack because I think he’s coming off a big loss to Barboza. Back to back losses are hard on the career. It’s a fantastic fight. That’s where you’ll see the best of Jack Catterall and the best of Harlem Eubank. It’s a massive opportunity for Harlem to really get into the world stage and to put his name in the big lights and the big fights. He has momentum on his side. Brighton really building something, especially with Channel 5 and Wasserman. I think it’s a fantastic clash of styles.”
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