In a dramatic showdown at Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Jack Catterall returned to the winning column with a technical decision victory over Harlem Eubank, a fight that ended prematurely due to a brutal clash of heads leaving both fighters with severe cuts. The bout, which marked Catterall's welterweight debut, was a high-stakes contest between two British boxing talents, each aiming to solidify their place among the sport's elite.
Catterall, a 32-year-old southpaw from Chorley, entered the ring with a 30-2 record, boasting 13 knockouts. His 2024 campaign was impressive, highlighted by victories over Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis. However, a narrow defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr. for the WBO interim super lightweight title in February 2025 forced him to move up to welterweight, where he now seeks a world title shot. Opposite him stood Harlem Eubank, a 31-year-old unbeaten fighter with a 21-0 record and 9 knockouts. The Brighton native, cousin of Chris Eubank Jr., had recently stepped up from super lightweight following a significant win over Tyrone McKenna in March 2025.
The atmosphere inside the AO Arena was electric as the fighters made their ring walks, with the main card broadcast live on DAZN and prelims streamed on Uncrowned. The anticipation was palpable, with fans eager to witness whether Catterall could assert dominance in a higher weight class or if Eubank would maintain his unbeaten streak and claim a career-defining victory.
The early rounds unfolded as a tactical chess match. Catterall controlled the center of the ring with sharp footwork and precise jabs, landing clean left hands and body shots that seemed to unsettle Eubank. The Brighton fighter responded with bursts of activity, showcasing his speed and power, but struggled to close the gap consistently. By round six, both fighters were locked in a fierce battle, trading punches and displaying resilience.
However, the fight took a sudden turn in round six when an accidental clash of heads resulted in gruesome cuts for both men. Catterall's wound above his left eye was particularly severe, with blood pouring down his face, while Eubank sustained a deep gash through his left eyebrow. Despite the efforts of cutmen and ringside doctors, the damage was too extensive to continue safely.
Referee Bob Williams, after consulting with the doctors, halted the contest just after six completed rounds. The decision went to the scorecards, where Catterall was awarded a unanimous technical decision victory with scores of 69-65 and 69-66 (twice). The outcome, while a win for Catterall, was met with mixed reactions from the crowd, who booed the premature ending.
Post-fight, Catterall expressed both relief and frustration. "The fight was going the way I expected it to go, I was breaking him down," he told DAZN. "I've been working on a lot of things in camp that I wanted to show tonight. It's frustrating not to be able to go through those gears. It's not the way I wanted to win, but I'm happy to be back in the win column and move on to the next chapter." He also commented on the head clash, saying, "I'm not saying it was intentional, but as soon as Harlem approached, I felt like he ran straight in with the head. I felt it go. I got asked if I wanted to carry on in the corner, of course I did. The referee made the decision and it's out of my control."
Eubank, meanwhile, felt the momentum was shifting in his favor before the stoppage. "I was coming into the fight landing clean," he said. "I was ready for round 7 executing class in there, coming into the fight beautifully. I done exactly what I was meant to do tonight. We need to see the rematch, I was just getting warm. Jack is a great fighter world class but I believe I was world class as well." His call for an immediate rematch underscores the contentious nature of the fight's conclusion.
The severity of Catterall's cut did not go unnoticed by boxing experts. Commentators Carl Frampton and Tony Bellew both suggested that the injury would require plastic surgery, with Frampton stating, "That will definitely need plastic surgery. It's so deep. There's no chance that that can be simply stitched up. 10 or 12 stitches won't do." Bellew added, "100 per cent, he'll need a specialist to sort that out." This injury will likely delay Catterall's plans for a swift return to the ring as he aims for world titles at 140 or 147 pounds.
Beyond the main event, the undercard featured several notable performances. Former world champions Joe Cordina and Skye Nicolson both returned after title losses. Cordina, moving up to lightweight, secured a unanimous decision win over Jaret Gonzalez with scorecards reading 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92, reasserting his presence in the lightweight division. Nicolson, dropping down to super bantamweight, dispatched Carla Camila Campos Gonzales via a second-round TKO, signaling her intent to climb back up the ranks.
Aqib Fiaz also impressed with a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy, while Fraser Wilkinson, Pat Brown, and Niall Brown all scored stoppage wins in their respective bouts. Notably, 18-year-old heavyweight debutant Leo Atang made a sensational entrance into the professional scene. Signed recently by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, Atang showcased his power and composure by defeating Bulgaria's Milen Paunov via first-round TKO at 2:29. The young fighter, who has been dubbed "the next Anthony Joshua," displayed body shots that proved too much for the veteran Paunov, who was knocked down and unable to continue after the referee's intervention.
Atang admitted to feeling the nerves typical of a debut but embraced the pressure, stating, "The pressure – don't get me wrong – it's been a lot, but I've embraced it all, enjoyed it all, and hopefully impressed everyone out there tonight. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous – it would be weird if I wasn't. But I also feel like these nerves definitely helped me in there, they keep you switched on and focused." Promoter Eddie Hearn shared his optimism, saying, "I believe that is the start of the journey to the world heavyweight championship. There's a long way to go, but I believe he can go all the way."
The event, streamed worldwide on DAZN, attracted boxing fans eager to witness the evolving careers of these fighters. The mix of seasoned contenders and rising stars made for a compelling night of boxing, underscored by the drama of the main event's abrupt ending.
Looking ahead, Jack Catterall's victory, albeit unconventional, keeps him in the conversation for big fights at welterweight and super lightweight. His resilience following recent setbacks highlights his determination to claim a world title. Harlem Eubank, despite his first professional loss, remains a formidable presence with a call for an immediate rematch signaling unfinished business. Meanwhile, the emergence of talents like Leo Atang adds fresh excitement to British boxing's heavyweight division.
As both camps regroup and recover from the physical toll of their battles, fans will be watching closely to see how these narratives unfold. The Catterall-Eubank fight may have ended earlier than expected, but its impact on the British boxing landscape will resonate for months to come.
