Manchester played host to an anticipated all-British welterweight encounter between Jack Catterall and the undefeated Harlem Eubank. The contest, however, reached an unexpected and premature conclusion, ending not with a knockout or the final bell, but due to an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round.
The fight was a competitive affair up to the point of the stoppage. Both fighters landed shots and engaged in strategic exchanges. By the sixth round, the intensity had taken its toll, with both Catterall and Eubank sustaining cuts. Catterall`s appeared to be the more significant injury.
As the fighters came out for the seventh round, it became immediately apparent that the damage from the head clash was too severe to continue. The referee, Bob Williams, consulted with the ringside doctor, and the decision was made to stop the bout. Under boxing rules, when a fight is stopped due to an accidental foul (like a head clash) after a certain number of rounds have been completed (typically four or more), the decision goes to the judges` scorecards from the completed rounds.
In this instance, the judges were required to score six full rounds plus the brief moments of the seventh before the stoppage. Their tallies were conclusive: 69-66, 69-66, and 69-65, all in favour of Jack Catterall. This technical decision victory for `El Gato` marked a significant moment, as it handed Harlem Eubank the first defeat of his professional career after 21 wins.
Speaking on the outcome, Catterall acknowledged his lead on the scorecards but expressed a desire for a more definitive ending. “The fight was going how I expected it to go,” he remarked, adding, “I was breaking him down. It`s not the way I wanted to win.” Such is the unpredictable nature of boxing, where a fight can change entirely in an instant, sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances.
Adding a unique layer of intrigue to the night was the presence of Conor Benn. Given his high-profile and often acrimonious history with the Eubank family – specifically Harlem`s cousin, Chris Eubank Jr. – Benn`s appearance was notable. He was present ringside and, perhaps with a touch of deliberate visibility, even represented Catterall`s team during the traditional pre-fight hand wrapping inspection, observing Harlem Eubank`s preparations up close. Benn is, of course, scheduled for a rematch against Chris Eubank Jr. later in the year, adding an extra narrative thread to the Eubank family`s boxing activities.
Ultimately, the Manchester clash concluded with Jack Catterall securing the technical decision win, demonstrating his advantage on the scorecards before the fight was curtailed by an unfortunate, albeit accidental, collision.
Murray Blackwood