AN all-British welterweight clash between Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank is likely heading to Manchester on July 5.
Catterall’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, told Boxing News yesterday he’s keen on the fight and also interested in a trilogy bout between Catterall and his arch-rival Josh Taylor, who makes his welterweight debut on May 24 against Ekow Essuman.
“Both fights I’m very interested in. Obviously, Taylor fights next week. I love the Eubank fight because obviously the Eubank name is very hot at the moment and Harlem’s doing well. He’s had some big audiences on Channel 5. Jack’s coming back, he needs a good fight [and] that’s a great domestic fight so we’ll have to see.”
Pressed on how talks between Catterall and Eubank are progressing, Hearn responded: “Good. I think they want the fight. We want the fight. We’ll see if we can get it made.”
Earlier today, The Ring posted on X that the bout is being finalised for July 5 at the AO Arena in Manchester.
A source confirmed to BN that this date and venue are likely, though not yet finalised.
Catterall’s days at super-lightweight now appear over, having made the 140-pound limit for over a decade. What should have been his greatest night turned into his greatest disappointment when the Chorley southpaw lost out on becoming undisputed champion against Taylor in February 2022. Catterall avenged that controversial defeat, however, in May last year.
A second shot at a 140-pound world title was dashed in February when Arnold Barboza Jr outpointed Catterall to earn the WBO Interim strap and a shot at champion Teofimo Lopez. Barboza’s maiden world title tilt ended in defeat on May 2 when Lopez retained his title with a unanimous decision win.
Eubank, cousin to Chris Jr, left behind his time at super-lightweight in 2023 to focus on bigger challenges at 147 pounds. In his two outings at the new weight class, the unbeaten 31-year-old beat Nurali Erdogan over eight rounds and, in March, halted Irish hardman Tyrone McKenna with a tenth-round stoppage. However, Catterall earned his own win over McKenna seven years ago, outclassing the Belfast fighter over 10 rounds.
In an interview with BN last month, Eubank said of a potential Catterall fight, “I’m looking at fighting this summer. We’ve called for [the Catterall fight], and there’s been positive talks from either side, so now we’re waiting for an offer [from Matchroom] and hopefully that offer resembles the type of challenge and fighter that Jack Catterall is.”
Catterall has used social media to confirm his interest in facing Eubank including this post on April 26.
