Often, a fighter’s most formidable enemy is inactivity, made worse by the fact that they are afforded less opportunities to sharpen their tools and climb up the rankings.
From a financial perspective, of course, it can be a bitter pill to swallow. But more than that, a lack of fights will only negatively impact a fighter’s career, potentially even derailing their progression in the sport.
For Harlem Eubank, this was never a concern. He had, after all, boxed regularly on Channel 5, showcasing his skills to a wide audience that may have otherwise tuned in for a crime drama or mind-numbing soap opera.
At the beginning of last year, the unbeaten contender then started to gear up for what would have been his toughest assignment yet, no longer wishing to dance rings around a part-time taxi driver but instead test himself against a talented prospect.
And yet, before long, his opportunity was scuppered when Adam Azim pulled out of their scheduled showdown due to an ankle injury.
While neither team was at fault, Eubank, 20-0 (8 KOs), had nonetheless been forced to remain out of the ring for just over a year, only to then dust off the cobwebs in an eight rounder last November.
“It was the most frustrating time of my career,” he told Boxing News. “I’m just happy that year has passed, and now we’re on the other side of it. There were some dark times for me last year.
“There are good days and bad days, but you just need to have that faith – that blind faith – that something’s coming.
“When you’re in multiple camps, you can burn yourself out, especially if the fight doesn’t come at the end of it.
“But I’ve gathered myself since then, and now I’m ready to show my Brighton fans all the developments I’ve been working on behind the scenes.”
With no time to waste, Eubank will return to action against battle-hardened operator Tyrone McKenna this Friday, headlining a Wasserman Boxing card at the Brighton Centre, England.
Not only is this a chance to shine in front of his home supporters but a win should also catapult the 31-year-old closer towards his first world title shot.
“I’ve been waiting for a fighter who really comes to fight, one who brings bad intentions,” Eubank added.
“That’s what I’ve been begging for, and now, that’s what we have here in Tyrone, someone who will try and bring something we haven’t seen before. But I’m going to punish him.
“[A win over McKenna] puts me right up there, setting me up for those fights that lead me towards world title opportunities. It’s what I need to take me to the next level – a great dance partner.”
Now fighting up at welterweight, Eubank is set to be provided with a stern test against McKenna, 24-5-1 (7 KOs), who reignited his career with a second-round stoppage victory over Dylan Moran last December.
With an IBF Inter-Continental trinket on the line, too, the winner should put himself in a strong position to scale the sanctioning body’s rankings.
And while he must first get past McKenna, Eubank believes that he could be challenging for world honours as soon as next year.
“That’s the kind of time frame that makes sense,” he said.
“It would mean everything [to win a world title]. That’s why I walked into the boxing gym in the first place, and that’s what we’ve been marching towards in every fight. We’re going to make it happen.”
Throughout his career, Eubank has benefited from a close relationship with his uncle, two-division legend Chris Eubank Sr.
Together, the pair have shared countless hours of in-depth discussions, with Eubank Sr helping to guide his nephew through the choppy waters of professional boxing.
“He’s always there, giving me nuggets of wisdom,” Eubank said. “He’s trying to show me the ‘warrior’s code,’ bit by bit.
“It’s amazing to have him guiding me, whether it’s in person or on the end of a phone call. That’s something I cherish.”
