Harlem Eubank concedes his first professional defeat after headbutting Jack Catterall in Manchester.
Former world title challenger Jack Catterall celebrated a technical points victory over Harlem Eubank in his welterweight debut at the Manchester Arena, England.
Catterall (31-2, 13 knockouts) was declared the winner by referee Bob Williams after an unintentional head kick at the start of the seventh round. The judges scored the fight 69-65 and twice 69-66 in favor of the 31-year-old southpaw from Chorley, who thus secured the IBF Intercontinental and WBA International belts.
Catterall was previously active at super lightweight, where he scored victories over Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis. Most recently, in February, he was narrowly defeated by Arnold Barboza Jr. by split decision in a fight for the WBO interim super lightweight title.
On the undercard, two-time super featherweight world champion Joe Cordina returned after a 14-month break and made his debut at lightweight. Cordina (18-1, 9 knockouts) defeated Mexican Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz (17-2, 13 knockouts) by unanimous decision on points. The judges saw the fight clearly in favor of the Welshman with scores of 98-92, 99-91 and 100-90. Cordina thus secured the WBO global lightweight title.