Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank finally closed eyes and mouths on the latest ‘Cards on the Table’ episode of Matchroom – no promoter, no ref, just a table between them and two egos that barely fit into the room. The result? A tranquil, uncomfortable, slightly spicy exchange that sets the tone for Saturday’s All-British Welterweight Fight Live on dazn of the AO arena in Manchester.
Catterall comes from a razor loss to Arnold Barboza jr. Now, they are both 31, both speak world titles, and both try to convince everyone, the other man is ‘good’, but not quite ‘world class’. Welcome to British Boxing’s favorite pre-fighting tradition: ego chess.
Catterall acknowledged that this one means “everything” after he dropped a close decision in February. He walks up to 147 with more questions than answers, but insists that he reach a peak at the right time. “I live clean, I look at myself,” he says, basically to Eubank that he is not here for a payday, he is here for a final run on a world title. He called eubank ‘above average’, and praised his victories, and then a low key demanded credit for his blueprint. Subtle.
When asked who has more ego, Jack claims it is just ‘working, working, working’ for him – and doesn’t have to scream about it online. What sounds humble … If you ignore the fact, he raised how clean he lives. Yet he is not wrong about the game. A victory on Saturday puts him back in the conversation, a loss is probably burying him in the domestic gatekeeper status.
Eubank says it’s his time, even if the resume “doesn’t say” yet
Harlem Eubank doesn’t pretend to be there and did it. He just thinks he’s ready now. “You’re in your lead,” he told Jack, “We believe we get the best version.” And that’s exactly why he wants the fight now – he wants to beat the best Catterall before anyone else does. Confidence? Through the roof. Deception? You decide.
He also had Jack as “should have been unchallenged” and said that he had chosen him because “you are the best”. Respectful, but you could see the brilliance in his eye – it wasn’t praise, it was planning. Harlem believes his lap on World Honors begins with this victory. “I intend to take it with both hands,” he says, giving an indication of frustration of years from on the outside.
Oh, and the ego question? Eubank did not avoid it. “You need an ego to be in this sport,” he said. “You can’t be in box without it.” Fair point. No one becomes a world champion by whispering self-doubt.
Full Fight Card – July 5 AO Arena, Manchester
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Jack Catterall against Harlem Eubank; Welter weight; 12 rounds
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Joe Cordina against Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz; Lightweight; 10 rounds; WBO Global Title
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Aqib Fiaz against Alex Murphy; Lightweight; 10 rounds
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Pat Brown vs. Lewis Oakford; Cruiserweight; 6 rounds
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Leo Atang vs. Tba; Heavyweight; 4 rounds (pro -debut)
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William Crolla against Fraser Wilkinson; Super-welterweight; 8 rounds
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Skye Nicolson against Carla Camila Campos Gonzales; Super-bantam weight; 10 rounds
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Alfie Middlemiss against Mohammed Wako; Featherweight; 4 rounds
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Niall Brown vs. Victor Ionascu; Super-middle weight; 6 rounds
Last updated on 06/30/2025
