Jack Catterall isn’t completely done with the junior welterweight division.
For now, though, the former title challenger is content to take his talents seven pounds north.
Another regional headline is in store for Chorley’s Catterall, 30-2 (13 KOs), who moves up to welterweight to face countryman Harlem Eubank, 21-0 (9 KOs). Their domestic battle will headline a July 5 DAZN show from AO Arena in Manchester, England.
The bout is the third straight in Manchester for Catterall, but his first at 147lbs. in more than six years. The fact that it comes in a high-profile domestic matchup made the decision an easy one to move up in weight.
“When the phone rang and they presented Harlem, it was a yes,” Catterall said during the launch press conference Tuesday in Manchester. “It's always been a yes. I've never turned down any fights. What excites me about this fight is the domestic fights. They're the fights that, throughout my career, I've probably performed my best.
“The pressure is on but I think I thrive under the pressure. Coming off a defeat I've got to go in there and perform and prove that I belong at this level.”
Catterall emerged as the top contender in a competitive junior welterweight division, though there was a time when he was hailed as the uncrowned champion. Many viewers felt Catterall was robbed of the undisputed crown following his February 2022 highly questionable split decision defeat to then-undefeated Josh Taylor in Glasgow, Scotland.
Four wins followed, including a revenge fueled unanimous decision over Taylor last May 25 at First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. Catterall was unlucky to not have at least one major title at stake. Their rematch was postponed so many times that Taylor was no longer champion by the time they met for a second time.
Still, an official win over Taylor followed by a dominant showing over former two-time titleholder Regis Prograis last October left Catterall poised for one more title run. He had to settle for a shot at an interim WBO strap but fell just short to then-unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. on February 15 at nearby Co-op Live Arena.
Barboza went on to drop a unanimous decision to lineal and full WBO champ Teofimo Lopez on May 2 in New York City, a shot coveted for months by Catterall as the previous top challenger.
The 31-year-old southpaw and his team decided the best move was to bide their time at welterweight. It’s a bonus that it comes against Eubank, the 31-year-old nephew of legendary former two-division titlist Chris Eubank Sr.
"I find myself in a position now where I can make 140,” noted Catterall, who will enjoy his fourth fight in a span of just more than 13 months. “Obviously, the natural step would be to go to 147. It's got to be the right fight. If the right fights come at 140 in the future, then we'll consider that.
“Me and Harlem spoke before. I think he was only fighting at 140 around two or three fights ago. When it got proposed at welterweight, it did me a favor.”
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on and .