MANCHESTER, England — Both Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank are predicting their contest on Saturday at Manchester’s AO Arena will end inside the distance.
Catterall is seen as a big step up for Eubank whose most recent victory was a stoppage win over Tyrone McKenna — a common opponent with Catterall, though he only managed to beat the Northern Irishman on points.
Catterall, however, has competed at the highest level at junior welterweight with many believing he should have become undisputed champion back in 2022 against Josh Taylor.
Regardless of the step up in class, Eubank was confident heading into the contest at Thursday’s press conference.
“This is the level I’ve built myself to. This is the level I’m destined for,” said Eubank. “I laced up the gloves to become world champion. Now is the chance to prove the world championship is not too far away.”
He was then asked if he was expecting to win by knockout. His answer came as no surprise.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes with. He’s been away to America, I think we’ll get the best version [of Catterall] and that’s what I’ve trained for.”
Catterall is coming into the contest off the back of a narrow loss to Arnold Barboza Jnr back in February. He will now step up to welterweight to face Eubank, an ambitious undefeated fighter.
“We could have come back and chose a different route,” said Catterall. “This is his opportunity, but I’m here Saturday to prove I’ve still got it. I’ve doubled up my training and I believe I’m on another level to him.”
Then came the familiar question - can he win by KO - and the familiar answer.
“Of course,” he said. “If he thinks he can knock me out then it’s going to end badly for him.”
