The 31-year-old hasn’t fought since dismantling Timo Schwarzkopf last year, but is desperate to make up for lost time ahead of his return to the ring
The 31-year-old hasn’t fought since dismantling Timo Schwarzkopf last year, but is desperate to make up for lost time ahead of his return to the ring The 31-year-old hasn’t fought since dismantling Timo Schwarzkopf last year, but is desperate to make up for lost time ahead of his return to the ring
Harlem Eubank appears to be full of confidence ahead of his return to the ring, with the British boxing star targeting blockbuster fights with Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.
The 31-year-old is scheduled to make his welterweight debut on Friday night against Nurali Erdogan at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle. Eubank has been in sensational form as of late, stopping his last two opponents. That said, it’s been a year since the boxing faithful last saw him in the squared-circle.
With Eubank desperate to make up for lost time, the British sensation is eager to put on a huge performance on home soil. His upcoming opponent, Erdogan, comes into the clash off the back of a split decision defeat against Faizan Anwar in May. Erdogan, a former French champion, certainly posses a real threat to the 31-year-old, but Eubank is confident he can get the job done.
“I’ve been firing on all cylinders in the gym and I’m feeling good,” Eubank told Mirror Fighting. “I’m feeling sharp and I’m just ready to go in there now and put on a statement performance.” Regarding Erdogan, the Brit said: “He’s a solid operator. He’s got a solid record, he’s a former French champion and a strong guy. Never been stopped. I expect him to come and bring everything he’s got and give it 110 per cent and yeah it’s a new challenge for me, coming up to welterweight. I’m looking forward to a solid test and I’m prepared to go in there and make a statement.”
With a win this week, Eubank is hoping to stay active as he targets a “huge” 2025. Adam Azim’s name has cropped up several times over the last year or so and the Brit is certainly interested in settling the score with his rival. “Of course, we tried to make that fight. I’ve done a training camp three times for it. It’d be wasted if it doesn’t happen down the line,” he added.
It’s fair to say that the 31-year-old has aspirations of competing for a world title soon and he fully believes that he can go toe-to-toe with the top stars of the sport, including Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. “For now, I’m focused on myself and big fights across welterweight, or 147, or 140,” he continued. “We’re going to be pushing onto those world title dreams and it’s a very exciting division between 140 and 147. There’s big names in America in Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. The division is on fire. I’m ready to mix it with all of them.”
There are no plans to wait around as Eubank insists he’s ready for the career-changing bouts after his clash with Erdogan. “I think after this one, I’m good to go. I’m ripe and ready and after this one here, I’m ready for a huge year next year. 2025, we’re ready for all of them.”
As a youngster, the Brit played for Brighton, but eventually swapped the studs for the gloves. A huge fan of the Premier League giants, Eubank hopes to one day headline a blockbuster card at the Amex in front of his home fans in what will be a ‘fairytale’ moment for him. “The Amex is a dream venue for me. Obviously the history of playing for the club, it’ll take it back full circle when I can perform in front of my home crowd at the stadium that I started out playing for. It’s a beautiful story and I believe it will happen,” he said.
“The fight against Azim, I believe it’d be a dominant statement performance from me and whenever it happens, I think it’d play out the same way,” he added. “Like I said, there’s huge fights in the division, and we can bring one of them back to the Amex.”
Watch Harlem Eubank’s return to the ring, on Friday, November 22 live and free on Channel 5 at 10:30pm
Mirror – Sport
