Catterall Defeats Eubank, Headbutt Forces Early Result

Manchester, England - July 5, 2025 - In a highly anticipated all-British welterweight clash at the AO Arena, Jack Catterall (31-2, 13 KOs) defeated Harlem Eubank (21-1, 9 KOs) via a unanimous technical decision on Saturday night. The fight, which promised to be a pivotal moment for both fighters, was cut short in the seventh round due to an accidental clash of heads that left both boxers with significant cuts, forcing the ringside physician to halt the bout. The judges’ scorecards, which read 69-65 and 69-66 (twice) in favor of Catterall, reflected his dominance in the early rounds, securing him the WBA International and IBF Intercontinental welterweight titles.

Main Event: Catterall vs. Eubank

Jack Catterall, moving up to welterweight after a split-decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. in February 2025, aimed to reassert himself as a world-title contender. The Chorley native, known as ‘El Gato,’ showcased his technical prowess, outboxing the unbeaten Eubank with sharper, cleaner work throughout the six completed rounds. Despite Eubank landing a notable left hook in the fourth and a long right hand in the fifth, his moments of success were sporadic. Catterall’s consistent pressure and point-scoring efficiency gave him the edge on the scorecards when an accidental head clash at the end of the sixth round caused severe cuts, particularly a gash over Eubank’s left eyebrow, prompting referee Bob Williams to stop the fight on medical advice.

Catterall, speaking to DAZN post-fight, expressed confidence in his performance, stating, “The fight was going the way I expected it to go, I was breaking him down.” Eubank, however, felt the tide was turning in his favor, claiming, “I was landing clean, flush right hands… I was ready to go in round seven.” He called for an immediate rematch, but given Catterall’s ambitions to challenge for a world title, possibly against the winner of a potential Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan IBF welterweight bout, a second fight seems unlikely in the near term.

The stoppage was a disappointing end to a fight that carried high stakes. Catterall, a former world-title challenger who many believed deserved the undisputed super-lightweight crown against Josh Taylor in 2022, needed a statement win to rebound from his loss to Barboza. Eubank, the nephew of Chris Eubank Sr. and cousin of Chris Eubank Jr., faced his toughest test yet, stepping up from domestic-level bouts to face a world-class operator. Despite the loss, Eubank’s resilience suggests he could remain a contender at 147 pounds.

Undercard Highlights

The Catterall vs. Eubank card featured a stacked undercard with notable performances, including returns from former world champions and emerging prospects. Here are the key results:

• Joe Cordina def. Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz (Unanimous Decision, 10 Rounds, Lightweight): Former IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina (18-1, 9 KOs) bounced back from his May 2024 loss to Anthony Cacace with a dominant unanimous decision over Mexico’s Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz (17-2, 13 KOs). Cordina’s crisp boxing earned scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92, securing the WBO Global lightweight title and positioning him for a future mandatory challenge.

• Skye Nicolson def. Carla Camila Campos Gonzales (TKO, Round 2, Super Bantamweight): Australia’s former WBC bantamweight champion Skye Nicolson (13-1, 1 KO) returned after her first career loss, stopping Bolivia’s Carla Camila Campos Gonzales (9-4, 8 KOs) in the second round. Nicolson’s precision and power overwhelmed her opponent, signaling her intent to reclaim a world title.

• Aqib Fiaz def. Alex Murphy (Unanimous Decision, 10 Rounds, Super Featherweight): Aqib Fiaz (13-1, 2 KOs) edged out Alex Murphy (13-1) in a close, competitive bout, with judges scoring it 97-93, 96-94, and 96-95. Fiaz’s flashier single shots outshone Murphy’s higher work rate, making it a fan-friendly scrap.

• Pat Brown def. Lewis Oakford (TKO, Round 1, Cruiserweight): Rising cruiserweight Pat Brown (2-0, 2 KOs) made quick work of Lewis Oakford (6-2), securing a first-round TKO in a devastating display of power.

• Leo Atang def. Milen Paunov (TKO, Round 1, Heavyweight): 18-year-old heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (1-0, 1 KO) impressed in his pro debut, stopping Bulgaria’s Milen Paunov (7-15, 5 KOs) in the first round, marking him as a name to watch.

• Fraser Wilkinson def. William Crolla (TKO, Round 6, Super Welterweight): Fraser Wilkinson (12-2, 2 KOs) handed William Crolla (8-1, 6 KOs) his first loss via a sixth-round TKO, showcasing resilience and power in a competitive bout.

• Alfie Middlemiss def. Mohammed Wako (Points, 40-36, Featherweight): Alfie Middlemiss (3-0) outpointed Mohammed Wako (1-5) in a one-sided featherweight contest, maintaining his unbeaten record.

• Niall Brown def. Victor Ionascu (RTD, Round 4, Super Middleweight): Niall Brown (16-0, 6 KOs) forced Victor Ionascu (14-7, 10 KOs) to retire after the fourth round, continuing his undefeated streak with a commanding performance.