In a high-stakes all-British conflict, seasoned southpaw Jack Catterall captured the WBA Worldwide welterweight title with a technical choice victory over Harlem Eubank on the AO Area in Manchester.
The bout was halted within the sixth spherical following a conflict of heads that left each fighters bloodied and prompted referee Bob Williams to seek the advice of the ringside officers. After a fast deliberation, the competition went to the scorecards, the place Catterall emerged the clear winner.
The battle marked Catterall’s (31-1, 13 KOs) debut at welterweight, simply months after a hard-fought loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. at 140 kilos. Eubank (21-1, 9 KOs), who entered the ring unbeaten, struggled to impose his unorthodox fashion in opposition to the extra seasoned former British champion.
From the opening bell, Eubank tried to disrupt Catterall’s rhythm with feints and footwork, however the Chorley native calmly countered with sharp, correct photographs that progressively took management of the battle.
Eubank targeted on physique work early, however repeatedly left himself open to Catterall’s crisp left hand, which discovered its goal all through the competition. Each fighters hit the canvas as a consequence of tangles within the third and sixth rounds earlier than the unintentional headbutt brought about severe cuts—one over Catterall’s proper eyebrow and one other above Eubank’s left.
Now a participant within the 147-pound division, Catterall seems poised to make a run towards the higher echelon of the welterweight ranks.
