Kalle Sauerland says all the pressure is on Jack Catterall ahead of Harlem Eubank scrap

Kalle Sauerland believes Wasserman star Harlem Eubank is ready to showcase his credentials at world level this weekend as he gets set to take on an opponent who has everything to lose in Jack Catterall.

Eubank has patiently worked his way up the professional ladder, honing his skills and gaining valuable experience as he looks to cement himself as a bona-fide world title contender.

The 31-year-old faces by far the biggest challenge of his career to date this coming weekend though, when he tackles former undisputed super-lightweight king Josh Taylor's conqueror Catterall at Manchester's AO Arena.

An impressive stoppage victory over livewire Irishman Tyrone McKenna last time out served as perfect preparation for Eubank, who now has his sights set on claiming the scalp of the talented Matchroom operator.

The Chorley-based fighter is stepping up to welterweight for the first time in a bid to fulfil his own world title ambition, having fallen just short at 140lbs - most recently succumbing to a split-decision loss at the hands of Arnold Barboza Jr.

He will also have the advantage of a home crown in Manchester on Saturday night, although Sauerland believes that could actually work against him and play into the hands of pre-fight underdog Eubank.

"It's a big step up for Harlem, but that's what champions, real champions, need to do," the Wasserman promoter told The Ring.

"Harlem's a fantastic character and fighter, the way he conducts himself is very humble - the way he's progressed taking little steps up... but this is the moment!

"It's not the be-all and end-all, I won't sell it as that, but it is that moment where we find out.

He's (Eubank) got the pressure of the name, but Catterall, a great fighter, gentleman and an advert for the sport, I think the pressure is all on him!

- Kalle Sauerland (Harlem Eubank's Promoter)

"When it comes to where he's been and how close he's come to getting there, this is sort of do or die for him.

"For Eubank it's about finding out how many gears he has got to go through because he's never been pushed like he's going to be pushed."

Catterall's professional boxing career has been well documented.

He was controversially denied unification super-lightweight glory when he fell the wrong side of a dubious split-decision result against arch-nemesis Taylor in Scotland in 2022, and despite avenging that defeat in May last year, the Scotsman had already vacated his titles.

A second crack at world honours saw the 31-year-old tackle American ace Barboza Jr earlier this year, but once again, he was denied victory in contentious fashion, falling to another agonising split-decision defeat.

Eubank on the other hand has largely gone under the radar, with his only real telling successes coming against McKenna and fringe world level operator Nurali Erdogan.

"We've seen Catterall in some big fights, we've seen all the versions of him, so we know all there is to know about him," Sauerland added.

"Look at the Josh Taylor fights, the Barboza fight told us a lot about strengths and weaknesses, they won't have the luxury of that with Harlem.

"Make no mistake though, this is a real step up in levels for him, but it's a level that we believe is mountable.

"Harlem has a lot in his arsenal that we haven't seen yet because he hasn't been at this level yet. You go up the levels and that's where your true greatness or flaws are."

Catterall vs Eubank takes place on Saturday 5th July, with the action, together with a full undercard, being streamed live on DAZN.

Mark Mothershaw

• Jack Catterall vs Harlem Eubank
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