Harlem Eubank is in a mission. He sees tonight's confrontation with Tyrone McKenna as more than another fight: it is a springboard towards its ultimate goal of a world title.
The 32 -year -old has his eyes on the largest prizes in boxing, and although names like Conor Benn and Adam Azim can cross their way, their main approach is to pursue the glory of the championship.
“For me, this fight is about pressing towards the dreams of the world title,” Eubank told Mail Sport. 'If those names (Benn and Azim) align on the way to the titles, then we will send them on the road. But this year it is about zoning and pursuing those opportunities for world titles.
'Those are the dreams I started. It was those dreams that took me to the gym and made me dedicate my life to sport for the past 12 years. So, I will pursue those dreams, and this is a great step in that trajectory.
Eubank's determination occurs after he admits that it was the most challenging year of his career. A prolonged raing spell left him mentally and physically exhausted, forcing him to rediscover his passion for sport.
“2024 was definitely the most difficult year I have had,” he admitted. 'Being out of the ring for so long while preparing constantly for battle is really difficult. You can make you burn mentally and physically.
Harlem Eubank is in a mission. See tonight's confrontation with Tyrone McKenna as more than another fight: it is a springboard towards its ultimate goal of a world title
The 32 -year -old (r) has his eyes on the largest prizes in boxing, and although names like Conor Benn and Adam Azim can cross their way, their focus is to pursue the glory of the championship
'The frustrations of not being able to translate in what you are working on at ring is so frustrating. At stake many things, and there is a lot of tension mentally. You can almost lose faith in sport in which you have invested so much time.
'So this year is almost a new mentality. Raising that love for the sport that I have always taken, that passion, that creativity, and entering there and making that translate into my performance.
His return to the ring, which was combined as his Welter weight debut, last year he did not show his best, something that is anxious to change against McKenna.
'I think the best version of me has not yet seen. When you are out of the ring for so long, I just needed to return there. I did not have an opponent that came to try to spoil the party.
'He didn't try to come and win. That can cause the case. But, people have definitely not seen the best of me. They have seen glimpses of what I can do. I am excited to show people what I am capable of this year.
McKenna is not an easy opponent. The Irishman is tested in battle, after having fought against some of the most important names of British boxing, and is entering this fight in good shape after a dominant victory in the detention.
“I think it's a good fighter,” Eubank acknowledged. 'I think he is at his best, based on his last performances. It comes from a detention victory, as you said. You know, two or three rounds, taking out this guy there. So, you know, you would have to say that it is in good shape. It is in a good career.
'He has his energy for sport. He began his training field in Germany. He separated from the distractions, and is more concentrated than ever. This is the most focused phase of his career, and that says a lot, since he has been around the block.
'He has competed worldwide, you know. He has fought against some of the biggest domestic names and always brought a hard and resistant fight. I await his best version on Friday night. I think he is in a stage of his career where he wants a resurgence, and will bring 110 percent '.
Far from his own career, Harlem has been seeing the preparation for the highly anticipated clash of Chris Eubank Jr with Conor Benn. The rivalry recently took a strange turn when Eubank Jr slapped Benn with an egg, a playful wink to the controversy that surrounds Benn's failed drug tests, which were linked to the clomiphene, a fertility drug that can be found in contaminated eggs.
“He was as entertaining as everyone else,” Harlem admitted. 'It is very well thought out. A little cheerful entertainment that brought a several layer story about eggs.
'He made people ask the right questions again. This is a sport where things are forgotten very quickly. So yes, a great cheerful humor that brought the right questions at the forefront.
Many were surprised by the pranks of Eubank Jr, but Harlem insists that he had a completely character.
'I don't think it's out of place. I think Chris knows how to push people. He knows how to choose the right thing at the right time. He clearly thought it was the right time to do that to Conor Benn. Clearly, for the reaction of the public, he chose wisely.
'But, I think Chris is good on the promotional side of sport. He is able to contact the sport with people who are not necessarily boxing fans.
'I have heard people talk about the slap of eggs in multiple locations where you would not usually hear the boxing. Walking in stores, you listen to people's conversations, and that were talking about. Then, with all honesty, Chris carries the promotion.
Harlem has been seeing the preparation of Chris Eubank Jr's high clash with Conor Benn. The rivalry recently turned when Eubank Jr hit Benn with an egg
Eubank's gag was a playful wink
A persistent question is whether Chris Eubank SR will return to his son's corner for Benn's fight. Your relationship has been complex in recent years, but Harlem does not rule out a meeting
When it comes to the fight itself, Harlem believes that his cousin has a clear advantage over Benn, not only physically, but mentally.
'I think that as far as we have seen at this time, there is a mismatch not only physically but mentally. We have seen that masterly mismatch in the accumulation of this fight. In terms of in the ring, Chris is ten steps ahead. We have seen it in the accumulation, and we will see it in the ring.
A persistent question is whether Chris Eubank SR will return to his son's corner for Benn's fight. His relationship has been complex in recent years, but Harlem is not ruling out a dramatic last minute meeting.
'I hope so. But that is between Junior and Senior. With luck, closer to time, they can do it together. If Senior gets in the right position to participate and is happy to be part of it, we could see it.
'Then, let's see closer to the moment it happens. You can never cancel the perspective that the senior comes to steal the program.