Jack Catterall’s move up to welterweight culminated in a dramatic and somewhat controversial victory over previously unbeaten Harlem Eubank at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The bout, which was eagerly anticipated given Catterall’s recent setbacks and Eubank’s rising profile, ended in a technical decision after seven rounds, with Catterall claiming the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title.
The fight was halted just one second into the seventh round due to a severe cut sustained by Catterall in the sixth round, caused by an accidental clash of heads. The ringside doctor advised the stoppage, bringing an abrupt end to what had been a gritty and tactical contest. Despite the premature conclusion, Catterall was awarded the victory on the judges’ scorecards, marking a significant milestone in his career after a tough year.
Catterall, who holds a record of 31 wins, 2 losses, and 13 knockouts, had been seeking a swift return to form following a narrow split-decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. in February that dashed his immediate world title ambitions. That loss halted the momentum he had built with notable wins over veterans like Jorge Linares and a controversial first career loss avenged against Josh Taylor. Moving up to welterweight for the first time, Catterall faced a formidable challenge in Eubank, who entered the ring undefeated at 21-1 with 9 knockouts, carrying the legacy of the Eubank family as the nephew of former WBO middleweight champion Chris Eubank Sr.
The fight itself was a tactical affair, with Eubank employing a style that featured a lot of missing, grabbing, and wrestling, which frustrated Catterall’s attempts to assert his power. Twice, the fighters crashed into each other during clinches, resulting in both falling to the canvas. Observers noted that Catterall appeared slower and less powerful than usual, especially in his punches, which lacked their usual snap during his welterweight debut. He often retreated when Eubank launched attacks, contributing to a somewhat cautious and at times dull pace reminiscent of Shakur Stevenson’s style.
After the fight, Catterall expressed his frustration with the stoppage, insisting he was "breaking him down" before the clash of heads forced an early end. "I was breaking him down. It was frustrating to have it end. I saw Harlem run straight in with the head," he said, highlighting the accidental nature of the injury that halted the bout.
On the other side, Eubank was equally vocal about his desire for a rematch. "There has to be a rematch. You saw what I was doing in there. We need to run it back right now. I did exactly what I needed to do. They cut the right short. We need to see that again. I was just getting warmed. I was letting my hands go, and I was landing. The referee stopped me from getting the win tonight," he stated, clearly feeling the fight was stopped prematurely and that he was gaining momentum.
Despite these calls for a rematch, promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated no plans to arrange a second meeting between the two fighters. Instead, Hearn is focused on positioning Catterall for a world title shot, specifically targeting the IBF welterweight title vacated by Jaron Ennis. Catterall is expected to face the winner of the upcoming bout between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, both considered fringe-level contenders, which could pave the way for a realistic world title opportunity.
"I wanted to get Jack in that position [to fight for a world title]. We move on for a shot at a world title. We want to try and get Jack Catterall a shot at the world title," Hearn said. "Probably not. I think we move on to fight for a world title. We move on now. We’d love to land one of those big names at 147." Hearn’s strategy reflects a measured approach, avoiding risky matchups such as with WBO champion Brian Norman Jr., who is known for his formidable punching power.
The event itself was a major night of boxing at the AO Arena, with the main undercard action beginning at 7 p.m. BST and earlier preliminaries starting from 5 p.m. Catterall and Eubank were expected to ring walk around 10 p.m. BST. The full fight card was stacked, featuring notable bouts such as Joe Cordina versus Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz, Aqib Fiaz against Alex Murphy, and Skye Nicolson taking on Carla Camila Campos Gonzales, among others.
The fight was broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view, costing $60 for viewers, with VPN options suggested for fans in regions where DAZN was unavailable. This ensured a wide audience could tune in to witness Catterall’s welterweight debut and Eubank’s first major step up in competition beyond domestic level.
Both fighters weighed in at 146.5 pounds, well within the 147-pound welterweight limit, setting the stage for a closely matched contest. Betting odds favored Catterall heavily, with bookmakers giving him 3/10 odds to win, reflecting his experience and pedigree despite recent setbacks. Eubank was considered the underdog at 13/5, with a draw priced at 16/1.
Analysts had predicted a competitive fight, with expectations that Catterall would dominate from the outset and possibly score knockdowns. However, the actual fight unfolded as a tactical and physical battle, with neither fighter able to assert overwhelming dominance before the injury-induced stoppage.
Jack Catterall’s victory, while somewhat anticlimactic in its conclusion, marks an important step in his career resurgence and positions him for a potential world title challenge. Harlem Eubank, despite the loss, remains a promising talent whose style and power will likely continue to develop as he gains experience at higher levels of competition.
As the welterweight division continues to evolve, Catterall’s next moves will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. With a world title shot on the horizon and a clear path laid out by promoter Eddie Hearn, the former super-lightweight contender is poised to make a significant impact in his new weight class.
