Jack Catterall secured a controversial victory over Harlem Eubank on Saturday when the fight was halted after six rounds due to both fighters suffering cuts above their eyes. The stoppage followed an accidental clash of heads, leading to the bout being decided by the judges’ scorecards, which unanimously favored Catterall with scores of 69-65, 69-66, and 69-66 in front of a home crowd in Manchester.
The fight started off slowly but heated up as Catterall began landing effective shots before Eubank responded with some solid punches. The action paused in the sixth round after the head clash, with Catterall sustaining a cut above his right eye and Eubank above his left. Though both appeared willing to continue into the seventh round, referee Bob Williams stopped the contest.
In the ring, Catterall suggested the head clash wasn’t intentional but noted Eubank seemed to lead with his head once the cut occurred. He expressed confidence after the fight, noting he felt comfortable moving up to welterweight against a seasoned opponent and emphasizing the technical aspects of the bout, such as head movement, clean punching, and controlling distance.
Eubank immediately called for a rematch, asserting that the shortened fight didn’t allow him to show his full potential. He credited Catterall for not stopping the fight but insisted that they need to compete again to settle the unfinished business.
Fan Take: This contentious ending highlights how unpredictable and intense boxing can be, reminding fans that every fight can pivot on unexpected moments. A rematch would not only settle the score but could also elevate the excitement and stakes within the welterweight division.
