Manchester, England — The highly anticipated welterweight showdown between Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank came to an abrupt halt on Saturday night. The bout was halted prior to the seventh round after referee Bob Williams received guidance from ringside doctors concerning cuts both fighters had sustained from an accidental head clash at the end of the sixth round at the AO Arena.
Since the cuts were not the result of punches and at least four rounds had been completed, the fight was adjudged through the scorecards. Catterall emerged victorious, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 69-65, 69-66, and 69-66. The match illustrated the challenges that often arise when a southpaw faces an orthodox opponent, as such encounters frequently lead to accidental head clashes.
Catterall, now boasting a record of 31 wins, including 13 knockouts, displayed dominance throughout the fight, controlling the pace and distance. His southpaw stance allowed him to effectively utilize his left hand, which frequently found its target on Eubank’s chin. The impressive jab from the Chorley fighter also set up many of his attacks.
Despite Catterall’s command of the fight, Eubank, who now holds a record of 21 wins with 9 knockouts, showed moments of resilience. His most impactful round was the fourth, where he landed a notable left hook, followed by a right hand that briefly caught Catterall off guard in the fifth. However, such highlights were too sporadic to significantly influence the judges’ opinions.
With this victory, Catterall positions himself for a potential title shot, possibly against the winner of the upcoming IBF welterweight title fight scheduled between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, both of whom are also part of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable. Catterall had previously claimed the IBF intercontinental title with this win over Eubank.
In other bouts on the same card, Joe Cordina returned to form with a comprehensive unanimous decision win over Jaret Gonzalez. Cordina, winning with scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92, was fighting for the first time since losing his IBF super featherweight title in May.
A notable performance came from former WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicolson, who stopped Carla Gonzales in the second round with a powerful series of punches. Meanwhile, the heavyweight debutant Leo Atang and 2024 Olympian Pat Brown both impressed with swift first-round knockouts.
As the boxing night unfolded, the results showcased a mix of emerging talent and seasoned fighters, reinforcing the excitement surrounding future matchups in the heavyweight and welterweight divisions.