Eubank's Redemption Mission Begins in Brighton
Harlem Eubank is determined to catapult himself into world championship contention, setting his sights on securing a title by 2026 as he prepares for a crucial homecoming fight in Brighton this evening. The 31-year-old light-welterweight makes his return to the squared circle for the first time since his controversial technical decision loss to domestic rival Jack Catterall in Manchester this past July.
That defeat marked the first blemish on Eubank's professional record, a setback he's eager to put behind him. The Brighton native acknowledges the fight's anticlimactic conclusion, where an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round left Catterall unable to continue, handing victory to the more experienced Brit via the judges' scorecards.
Learning From Defeat: A New Mindset
Speaking exclusively to All Out Fighting, Eubank revealed that the loss has fundamentally shifted his approach. "That anything can happen at any time," Eubank stated, reflecting on the Catterall fight. "The fight can be stopped for cuts. Something that is out of your control at any time."
This hard-learned lesson means Eubank will abandon his previous strategy of using early rounds to gauge his opponents. He vows to make every moment count from the opening bell, recognising that waiting to change gears later in a fight is a luxury he can no longer afford.
"I felt that was the case within the first six rounds against Catterall, but I know now that anything can happen at any time so you have to make it count from round one," he explained.
The Path to Gold Runs Through Wagner
Standing between Eubank and his world title aspirations is Canadian boxer Josh Wagner. Eubank enters this bout with immense pressure, knowing that a defeat against the underdog would severely damage his championship trajectory.
When asked about his opponent's mindset, Eubank remained focused on his own performance. "I do not feel like I have got too much from him yet," he admitted. "It’s all irrelevant at the end of the day. I am looking forward to making it count on Friday. The talking, the acting, all goes out the window."
Eubank's game plan is straightforward: seek a decisive victory to position himself for a world title shot in the first quarter of 2026. The name Lewis Crocker has emerged as a potential target, having recently won the vacant IBF welterweight strap after a narrow victory over Paddy Donovan in Belfast.
"Becoming a world champion in the first quarter of 2026," Eubank declared. "That is the goal. That is the vision. That was the dream coming into the sport. We’re not far away now."
Home Comforts and Future Dreams
Tonight's fight marks Eubank's third appearance in East Sussex within two years, and the Brighton boxer acknowledges the significant mental edge fighting on home soil provides. As an avid supporter of Brighton & Hove Albion, his ultimate dream involves bringing a world title fight to the AMEX stadium to perform in front of his beloved local fans.
Despite the recent setback, Eubank's confidence remains unshaken. "Not at all," he responded when asked if the loss had changed his mindset. "I have been working diligently in the gym. Working hard. And again, just looking forward to going in there and put on a performance."
Eubank's clash with Wagner airs live on Channel 5 from 9pm, with the Brighton fighter looking to make a statement that echoes throughout the welterweight division.
