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The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Harlem Eubank has one of boxing's most iconic surnames… but he had to make his way in dingy 2,000-seat leisure centres
HARLEM EUBANK might bear one of British boxing's most iconic surnames on his back - but he still had to make it the hard way. The welterweight only began boxing aged 18 following from the success of his 4 Harlem Eubank with his famous uncle Chris Sr Credit: Getty 4 Eubank earned his stripes on the small halls Credit: Rex Features 4 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. READ MORE IN BOXING 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. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 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." 4 Jack Catterall squaring off with Eubank Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Scottish Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chris Eubank Sr seen accompanying son to hospital after brutal boxing bout with Conor Benn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHRIS Eubank Sr was seen accompanying his son to hospital after his brutal boxing bout with arch rival Conor Benn. The anxious-looking dad, 58, kept an eye on Chris Jr, 35, and stayed with him overnight as he was treated following his epic points victory. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Chris Eubank Sr was seen accompanying his son to hospital after his brutal boxing bout with arch rival Conor Benn Credit: Getty 2 Chris Jr was treated following his epic points victory Credit: Reuters Eubank Sr, who had a fierce 1990s boxing rivalry with Conor's dad Nigel Benn, had called the sons' grudge match a 'circus'. But he ended a rift by being reunited with his son before the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium fight. A fan who spotted the pair in hospital said: 'Chris Sr looked like the doting dad. "Chris Jr won the fight but seemed in a really bad way and was in an oxygen mask.' Read More on Sport MAX APPEAL Arsenal wonderkid, 15, runs length of pitch to score stunning 'Messi-like' goal Eubank Jr's team denied claims of a broken jaw and said the hospital visit was 'standard post-fight protocol'.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I gave Chris Eubank Sr a father-to-father talk and told him to be there for his son... and here's why it brought a lump in my throat to see him ringside, writes JOHNNY NELSON
Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do. That was my parting message to Chris Eubank when we finished our telephone conversation on Saturday. I was appealing to him as a father, to a father, be there for your son. I'd texted Chris on Friday because I was worried. After seeing what extremes his son had put himself through to make the weight, I thought 'God forbid, something happens to him in this fight and his father isn't there'. He would never have been able to live with it. What had struck me was when Chris Jr, pre-fight, talked about what 'real pain' was, burying his brother in the desert and now not having his father by his side. I have lost too many people in my life to just let that go. If that was my son, that appeal would have broken my heart. As a parent, it struck me if something happened, Chris would never get over it. I telephoned him late Saturday morning and over the next hour and a half we went back and forth. He explained to me why he wasn't going to be there. I swore at him, and he scolded me for swearing, then started quoting Bible verses. I know Chris said afterwards that he had always planned to be there but, trust me, that wasn't the message I was getting from our conversation. I told him how I had fallen out with my own mother many years ago. We didn't speak for years. And even though we made up and I did everything to make up for it, when she passed, I regretted wasting that period in our lives together because every memory and second with them is important, especially a parent. I've got a brother; I love him but I don't like the things he does. Families have their disputes. We may not like them, but deep down we always love them. I said to Chris, even if you come in by the back door and no-one sees you. Just do it for your son. You may not like what he has done but you do love him. If you are going to quote religion to me, then remember this: Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do. It was a real father to father talk. By the time we had finished, I'd just arrived at the Tottenham Stadium. He thanked me for the call, and we said our goodbyes. When I saw him that night get out of the car to be there for his son, it brought a lump to my throat. They came to me for a reaction on camera and I was thinking 'I'm going to have to pull myself together here or I'll start blubbing'. When he came out of the lift, his hand on Chris Jr's shoulder and it cut to Conor Benn's dressing room, it was pure theatre. 'Rocky' couldn't have scripted it better. And, no matter what Conor and Nigel said, I think his arrival tipped the balance. Every son, every father, knows that feeling when your father is behind you, giving that support, you grow and that was what made the difference for Chris Jr. It lifted him. But the fight those boys produced, left both their fathers immensely proud. Warriors who were fathers of warriors. Consider they are two young men born into wealth, but they fought with the hunger of two boys born into poverty. There was nothing fake, no bull@@@@, just a pure, honest representation of our great sport that had everyone talking about it on Sunday morning. You didn't hear a moan or groan from anyone leaving that stadium on Saturday night because of how those two boys left everything in that ring. In the end, Conor's inactivity and Chris Jr's greater experience tipped the fight the way it went. Conor was the fastest developing fighter on the scene but that past 18 months of inactivity told. Even though Chris's legs had gone, he had the muscle memory to use his weight to lean in and keep throwing. Nearly 1,000 punches. But this little lion Conor wins the re-match if this version of Chris fights again. It wasn't just pure spirit that ensured Chris needed hospital treatment. I was on the undercard the day Nigel Benn lost to Michael Watson. He was devastated but he went away to America and came back a world champion fighter. When he smiled after Conor's result was read out on Saturday night, I could see in Nigel's eyes, he knew this defeat could be the best thing for his son. He will return a greater fighter. Other contests may await but this is showbusiness and showbusiness dictates the re-match will be the biggest fight on the horizon. As for Chris Snr? I sent him a message on Sunday morning, it just said: 'You brought tears to my eyes Saturday. Your son did you proud, God bless both of you.'
