JACK Catterall claimed a technical-decision victory after a cut, which was caused by a head clash, delivered a premature end to his welterweight encounter with Harlem Eubank.
Both fighters, in fact, were forced to leave the ring with injuries, but it was the more effective work of Catterall, 31-2 (13 KOs), that ultimately saw him emerge victorious at the Manchester Arena, England.
Two scorecards of 69-66 swung in his favour, while a third judge, who scored it 69-65, also saw the Chorley man doing more than enough to build a sizable lead.
Catterall, in fairness, had got off to an assertive start, not rushing in with any reckless attacks but instead utilising his jab to set up a series of left hands.
That measured approach was then replicated in the second round, keeping Eubank, 21-1 (9 KOs), quiet as he struggled to pre-empt each of his opponent’s long-range offensive efforts.
In response, Catterall only elevated the venom behind his backhand, sending the spiteful shot through the middle – both up and downstairs – whenever an inviting opening presented itself.
A more promising fourth round then arrived for Eubank, who finally closed the gap, even if just for a brief moment, while bringing his feet into range.
Only, instead of sustaining his attacks, the visitor was forced to eat several more left hands in the following few rounds.
Catterall then firmly restored his control in the sixth frame, moments before a horrendous cut appeared over his right eye following a seemingly accidental head clash.
Then, after an inspection of the home fighter’s injury, the deepness of his laceration ultimately meant that their fight could no longer continue.
Eubank, too, had suffered a cut from the incident, which seemingly contributed to a collective decision – inspired by several ringside doctors – that was cemented by referee Bob Williams.
“I’m not saying that it was intentional but, as soon as Harlem got cut, I feel like he ran straight in with [his] head,” Catterall said in his post-fight interview.
His opponent, however, offered a slightly different version of the story.
“I was warming into the fight; I was landing clean, flush right hands, and then [Catterall] came in with his head, which caused the cut,” Eubank said.
“There has to be a rematch. I did exactly what I was meant to do in there tonight, and the decision went against me because [the fight] got cut short.
“The ref stopped me from getting a spectacular stoppage victory.”
