HARLEM EUBANK might bear one of British boxing’s most iconic surnames on his back – but he still had to make it the hard way.
The welterweight only began boxing aged 18 following from the success of his two-weight world champion uncle Chris Eubank Sr.
Harlem Eubank with his famous uncle Chris Sr[/caption]
Eubank earned his stripes on the small halls[/caption]
Chris Eubank Jr with cousin Harlem[/caption]
Cousin Jr later became a bonafide star in his own right while Eubank’s dad Simon – who sadly passed away last year – was a respected journeyman.
Eubank debuted live on Sky Sports before taking his career to dingy 2,000-seater leisures centres in Swindon, Portsmouth and Wakefield.
The Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth, for example, is best recognised as the go-to for swimming and rock climbing locally.
But determined to earn his stripes without the help of his surname – it moulded Eubank into the unbeaten contender he is today.
He told SunSport: “You have to go and do it the real way, the way the champions before us have done it and that is going away learning your craft and stepping up to big fights and coming through them with flying colours and keep climbing.
“We’re of that martial arts background where we have that philosophy engrained in us that you have to sacrifice over the years to be the best fighter that you can be.
“You have to train and push yourself when no one’s looking, when there’s no applause and take yourself to those dark places to come out and shine when it’s your time to.”
Eubank, 31, steps up in his biggest test to date on Saturday against former world title challenger Jack Catterall, 32.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
It will be the first time he fights at the Manchester Arena – where his cousin Chris Jr headlined on so many occasions.
Even Chris Jr’s younger brother Sebastian – who tragically died in 2021 – boxed at the famous venue and now it is the turn of Harlem.
He said: “It just becomes familiar.
“Familiar surroundings, I’ve been in the arena many times before and it’s going to be familiar, maybe hostile but I’m ready for anything that comes.”
Catterall was unfortunate to lose a controversial split-decision for the undisputed 140lb titles against Josh Taylor in 2022.
He won the rematch – with no titles on the line – but is now coming off defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr in February.
Eubank meanwhile is on a hot streak three stoppages in his last four.
A criticism of Chris Jr’s was a habit of chasing big-money bouts opposed to targeting legitimate world titles.
But cousin Eubank said: “I came into the sport to be world champion, I always believed I could reach that level and I believe that the prize fights, the prize money should come with the prize – which is the world title.
“And I think it will and regardless what fights are out here, when you become world champion you go into the same fights, the prize is still becoming world champion and you can go and get your rewards from that.”
Jack Catterall squaring off with Eubank[/caption]
