Harlem Eubank has one of boxing's most iconic surnames… but he had to make his way in dingy 2,000-seat leisure centres
The welterweight only began boxing aged 18 following from the success of his
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Harlem Eubank with his famous uncle Chris Sr
Credit: Getty
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Eubank earned his stripes on the small halls
Credit: Rex Features
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Chris Eubank Jr with cousin Harlem
Credit: @HarlemEubank
Cousin Jr later became a bonafide star in his own right while Eubank's dad Simon -
Eubank debuted live on Sky Sports before taking his career to dingy 2,000-seater leisures centres in Swindon, Portsmouth and Wakefield.
The Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth, for example, is best recognised as the go-to for swimming and rock climbing locally.
But determined to earn his stripes without the help of his surname - it moulded Eubank into the unbeaten contender he is today.
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He told SunSport: "You have to go and do it the real way, the way the champions before us have done it and that is going away learning your craft and stepping up to big fights and coming through them with flying colours and keep climbing.
"We're of that martial arts background where we have that philosophy engrained in us that you have to sacrifice over the years to be the best fighter that you can be.
"You have to train and push yourself when no one's looking, when there's no applause and take yourself to those dark places to come out and shine when it's your time to."
Eubank, 31, steps up in his biggest test to date on Saturday against former world title challenger Jack Catterall, 32.
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It will be the first time he fights at the Manchester Arena - where his cousin Chris Jr headlined on so many occasions.
Even Chris Jr's younger brother Sebastian -
Harlem Eubank out to knock off another of Eddie Hearn's stars in Jack Caterall
He said: "It just becomes familiar.
"Familiar surroundings, I've been in the arena many times before and it's going to be familiar, maybe hostile but I'm ready for anything that comes."
Catterall was unfortunate to lose a controversial split-decision for the undisputed 140lb titles against Josh Taylor in 2022.
He won the rematch - with no titles on the line - but is now coming off defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr in February.
Eubank meanwhile is on a hot streak three stoppages in his last four.
A criticism of Chris Jr's was a habit of chasing big-money bouts opposed to targeting legitimate world titles.
But cousin Eubank said: "I came into the sport to be world champion, I always believed I could reach that level and I believe that the prize fights, the prize money should come with the prize - which is the world title.
"And I think it will and regardless what fights are out here, when you become world champion you go into the same fights, the prize is still becoming world champion and you can go and get your rewards from that."
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Jack Catterall squaring off with Eubank
Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
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Irish Examiner
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'We used to joke he was really Irish' - Andy Robertson pays emotional tribute to Diogo Jota
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UEFA had earlier announced there would also be the same tribute observed at group matches on Friday.
