HARLEM EUBANK warned cousin Chris’ fight against Conor Benn is a sizeable mismatch – and he will be ready to finish the job afterwards.
The unbeaten Brighton welterweight was due on the undercard when the mega-bout was first announced for October 2022.
GettyChris Eubank Jr stares down Conor Benn[/caption]
But it was dramatically scrapped with just days to go after it was revealed Benn had failed two drug tests.
Now three years on and it has been rescheduled for April 26 at Tottenham’s stadium with the fight bigger than ever.
Benn has had two comeback wins up at the 154lb light-middleweight limit – but Harlem insists nothing can prepare him for what it to come.
He told SunSport: “I think it’s a no brainer. Conor hasn’t been in with anyone near that level, let alone that weight class.
“I mean, you see at 154, you can talk about knocking people out but in a fight it’s different and I think that’s kind of already become clear.
“So it’s clearly a mismatch, it’s a fantasy fight because of the names but the weight, and the standard doesn’t align.”
Benn tested positive for banned substance clomiphene – which is known to boost testosterone.
But he won his drug case and recently had a UK Anti-Doping ban lifted – freeing him to fight on home soil again.
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Although Harlem – robbed of his bout on the undercard three years ago – will believe it when he sees it.
He said: “There’s a lot surrounding the fight that’s been controversial over the last three years.
“I was there obviously on the undercard on the first fight. It was a very long kind of ordeal even media-wise all the topics around it, you know, the cloudiness around it.
“I still can’t see it – like obviously it’s done now – but until they’re in the ring I still can’t see it.
“I still won’t believe it until they’re actually in the ring because last time it was already fight week, it was three days out and he failed his drug test.
“So yeah, I’ll believe it when they’re in the ring and the bell rings.”
Harlem is now 20-0 and returns on Friday against Northern Irishman Tyrone McKenna in Brighton.
And his legendary uncle Chris Sr – who sadly lost son Sebastian in 2021 – is actively helping guide his nephew as a mentor.
Harlem, 31, said: “He’s on great form at the minute and he’s constantly sending me across snippets of wisdom and I’m gonna use it all as I build and grow as a fighter.
“It’s gonna be huge and I think I’ll feel that pride and that rivalry on the night as well. And, we’ve always come out victorious so it will be no different.
Harlem Eubank
“He’s steered me a lot in the sport and been a great role model for me as well.
“So I’m looking forward to continuing to shine through the the wisdoms that he’s implanted in me.
“I hope to do him proud when I go out there on fight night and put in a performance.”
Harlem was only a few months old when uncle Chris drew with Benn in 1993 – three years after his brutal win.
And Eubank Jr has been open and candid about losing touch with his dad in recent times – despite always voicing his love and admiration for Sr.
It remains to be seen whether the British boxing great will be in his son’s corner against Benn – but Harlem will be.
He said: “It’s gonna be historic. Benn against Eubank it’s always been one of those fights that people refer to 20 years later.
“It’s gonna be huge and I think I’ll feel that pride and that rivalry on the night as well. And, we’ve always come out victorious so it will be no different.”
Benn – unbeaten in 23 bouts – bullishly claims he will KO Eubank before heading back down to welterweight for a world title shot.
Harlem – campaigning also at the weight – will be waiting for Benn and fancies a crack at Nigel’s son himself.
He grinned: “He says he’s still 147. So if he wants to fight a competitor – which I’m not sure he’s looking to do – I’m 147 and I’m ready to give it to him.”
GettyHarlem Eubank faces off with Tyrone McKenna[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
