5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - Catterall v Eubank: Who’s Got More to Lose?

Episode Date: July 3, 2025

Will Jack Catterall look to make a statement in his fight against Harlem Eubank in Manchester on Saturday night. Buncey speaks to both fighters as they headline a stacked card at the AO Arena. He also chats with Catterall's trainer Jamie Moore, and to promoter Eddie Hearn.

BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. This is Five Live Boxing. So another week, another big fight. This time, a famous name, Harlan Newbank. Against the famous fighter, Jack Cattrell. It's in Manchester. There's plenty of needle. Plus, we'll get a return of a pantomime Newbank.

He's behind you, so they say. It's a good fight, and it's a good undercard. We're going to hear from all of the people involved. and matchrooms had a rebranding. The rebrand is very snazy. We'll hear from Eddie Hearn. I'm Steve Bunce and this is Five Live Boxing. Eddie, this is the coolest place in London at a moment.

I don't mean it's cool and swanky as in funky cool, but it's breezy core. It's lovely, it's beautiful. We've both got a jacket on Bunsen. I don't think that's the greatest move of all time. But a little bit cooler in here than it is outside. So Ed, why are we here? We're here because it's just time for a little change.

We're freshening things up a little bit. You know, I think that I'm a little bit more old school. My old man is particularly old school. When our marketing people tell us about a rebrand and the need for a new look and to switch things up and to change things, we sort of go, how much is that going to cost us?

And the answer was, a lot of money. But it's time for a new logo, for new campaigns, for the way that we operate in terms of, yes, the fight's in the ring and the look and the feel on the night, but the press conferences, the weighings. I just think we've been leading for a long time. But what happens is, naturally, people catch up and they copy you and everything looks the same. Press conferences look the same.

Wayans look the same. We want to change that now. And the big thing, of course, when you have a rebrand is the logo. It's very, very different. And it's quite amusing how it's all evolved. And we've done our research. We've made the change. Tomorrow we start a huge global campaign in 17 different cities around the world that includes

Times Square, Sydney, Kazakhstan, London. With the brand new logo showing up in lights? but with our fighters on these billboards all around the world. And, you know, we're the only global promotional company in the world. And we've made a decision to double down on that in a very competitive market. What I like about your original logo from those days that room, the actual match room in like the snooker parlor with all sorts of... I mean, it's like something from the 50s in New York.

I love that. And that looked like it was designed on the back of a fact packet, that first logo. Most of the Mabin Bunchet. I like that. I don't, you know, we're a massive global sports business now. but we did start under a broom cupboard in Rompford. And that was my old man. And for many years,

we were out of our league in terms of the level that we were operating and the workforce that we had. I mean, when I started in boxing at Matrim, it was me, Johnny Wish and Frank Smith. That was it. I did all the social media. I designed the posters.

John did the stuff with a board. Frank got the coffees. Frank filled out the falls and people were buying tickets. And that was it. And that was it, you know? So the way that we've been involved is quite incredible. and we've got to keep doing that.

And we've got a lot of bright people working for us. You know, when they tell me about this, and I'm like, all right, you know, and they present you. And then it's just every now and again, you start going, no, I see, I get it. You know, and I've looked at, when you change your logo, that, that logo, when we first changed the logos that you're talking about, my dad nearly had a heart out. I mean, he's had three now, but it was more like, what we're changing it for? No, that's our logo.

That's what, and it's like, no, no, no, there are actual experts out there that evolve with these kind of things, and we need to keep switching it up. We need to appeal to that younger audience. The game's changing. It's a very crowded market. It's a very competitive market as well. And we need to stand out. And that's what I think we're doing.

You talk about being a global company. Obviously, you had an office in New York for an awful long time now. We've Ant Leaver based over there for probably close about seven or eight years now. Now, will you be opening more offices globally? Or can we do it because we're digital and online? Can we do it? You need soldiers on the ground there. And we've got those people as well.

But, you know, like I said, when I say we're the only global promotional company in the world, we really are. There's nobody else that are lead promoters for the events in multiple markets like us. Mexico, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UK, and it's the market. It's the market that's important. Yeah, all of that. So we're building a global brand for boxing. It's not just boxing. It's last Saturday.

We're in Madison Square Garden for the darts. Sold out. You know, I mean, every week we've got two or three events globally across different sports. But boxing's a passion of ours. I love the fact that's been my big mission is that global mission because that's something that my old man never really done. He never went and got a big TV contract in America and did 12 shows a year out there.

Never went to Australia. Never did six shows a year in Mexico. Never went to Japan. These are all the things that I want to sort of tick off. And I love it. I love having that global look as a business. Once upon a time, Ed, not long ago, when Box Nation was going, Frank Warren looked into submarine racing.

I'm not, I kid you not. And obviously I put myself right in the frame because I know about submarine racing, as you know I would. Absolutely. Is there anything out there, Ed, that's caught your eye in your global travels that could become the new matchroom sport? Is there something you've seen? You know what Buncie? This would work.

I could do this with that. What I prefer to do is to look at what you have and what you own and the potential that they have. And I think Darts is probably a great example. Darts hasn't even touched the surface as a business. In the UK, it's phenomenal. They're selling 10,000, every single event. The record-breaking viewership on Sky is second.

only to premiership football. But now the plan with darts is to go into those new markets, India, you know, America at the weekend. We've seen now events in Poland. We did 15,000 in Poland the other day. That's a darts market in Germany. And they haven't even got any major players yet. They're all coming to watch Littler and Van Gervyn.

So, yeah, I like looking at new sports, but I also think you need to look at your own business and say, how can we change that, how can we improve it? You know, there's always different formats for basketball, and there's paddle and there's pickle. and there's pickleball and there's all this kind of stuff. We can turn anything into Gold Buncie.

I'll send you that pitch for the submarine racing. Yeah, definitely sounds interesting. Just quickly, Catul and Harlem, Ubank at the weekend, it's the type of fight I really like. It's that kind of, that's that tricky domestic fight, one that could throw up so many different outcomes and so many different moves forward for the winner. It's a great fight, and it's a great crossroads fight,

which we always use that term a lot, don't we? And it really is. Jack Cattrell's been a world-class fighter for the last five years. Yeah, boring, boring, should have been undisputed champion, etc, etc., but lost against Barbosa. And that was a fight that I felt he should have taken by the horns and won that fight. Now you look at a guy like Harlem-Uvank, who is a little bit fresher, maybe, than Jack Cattrell. It's been being built up, big audiences on Channel 5, got a little bit of confidence.

He wants to take that step to world level. I think it's a step too far. But if Jack's not on the ball, it's going to be a very tough, dangerous fight. and on the pressure side for Jack, he's got to really win that fight. And he's got a new enough in weight as well. Yeah, but I think that will suit him. I think so. I think so now as well.

So many fighters stay at the same weight class for so long. Whether it's Lee Wood, whether it's Josh Warrington. Josh Taylor. Yeah, Josh Taylor, Jack Catchell. They stay there for the whole career. You're talking a decade. Too long. And now I think at 47, I think it will suit him.

I think Jack Catchell punches harder than people think. And I think he'll stop Harlem, Ubank on Saturday. Well, that's a bold prediction. Because losing to Barbosa, obviously it cost him his place in the pecking order, but potentially cost him. a place on that bill that was in New York I'm not San Lopez with a taking catcher but he might have and that's a lot of money

I mean he lost a million or even more what I like about it is you know he's dropping down a level I think it's fair to say still against a world class talent but the pressure's on so many times you get a fighter like that who goes oh I'm not fighting another Brit why would I give him the opportunity

I'll give me a world man no no make the domestic fight people are interested in it there's a storyline you know there'd be a great crowd there Saturday you got Joe Caldina coming back as well into the action Leo Atang, I mean, tonight, Buncey. Big Leo. We like Big Leo, don't we?

You know, we've got three very special people coming tonight, among many fighters. One is Frank Bruno, who, you know, was my dad's first ever roll of the dice in boxing against Joe Buggner. I understand what he said. And he didn't know what he was doing, much like me when I started as well. He admitted that, that's what I like about it. Anthony Joshua, of course, has been a massive part of our business.

And Leo Atang. Might be the future. He's also here. He's 18. Well done, the 19 heavyweight champion, turning pro this Saturday in Manchester. And, you know, it's a great lineup. And just quickly, Pat Brown's on that bill as well. Exactly, yeah.

And we like Pat Brown. Massive ticket seller, you know, great personality and a very good fighter. Yeah, by the way, yeah. Listen, I've got to ask you a quick question on a little Tia, May 18. She watched that movie. I saw your show with Barry, yeah. Hey, listen, you know, and I said to Barry, Barry went out and I said, Barry, trust me. Watch that second knockdown.

Not the first knockdown. That second knockdown. That's the sort of thing. When Barrera did shots like that, we still talk about it. That was a unbelievable. I was so pleased with her and for her, and I was very proud of her as well, because I gave her a big sell, which is kind of what I do. I've got to give you that. Because I've seen her fight, I've watched tape, I know the story.

This is a girl that's had 300 fights across all disciplines. She hasn't lost it, she was eight or something stupid, isn't it? And it was like she's done Mai Tai, MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, boxing. And I've just think she's the most unique talent I've ever seen. I mean, certainly in female boxing. But she's different to Katie Taylor. Katie Taylor's an unbelievable technician and just, you know, she's someone

that's incredibly talented but Tia Mae Aiton knocks people out and she's unbelievably heavy-handed and she's so excited and I just, there's something so refreshing about, it's the same with Leo on Saturday and it's the same with Adam Macker

there's something so refreshing about these young 18-year-old talents that are just like wide-eyed probably a little bit deluded as well and just like, yeah but Tia can fight I can't wait to see her back in the ring After that, I'm saying to the guys, when can we get her back out? Just get her back out. So early August she'll be back out, and she's a phenomenal talent.

Eddie, I guess it was inevitable. And I've got to tell you, it seems to me like not the rematch. It looks like the second fight in the trilogy. Conner Ben and Chris Euban Jr., September 20. I guess it was inevitable. It was. I mean, it caught everybody slightly by surprise, because that's what Turkey Alashake does.

He doesn't want to tell you the announcements coming, because you think you might announce it yourself, so which he's probably actually right. That's a nonsense, sir. I know, he's right. So that was just a case of we've all been working the teams for the last three weeks, looking at the venues. We always knew it was going to be the 27th, 4th to 20th.

The football fixtures meant that the 20th suits better. Is it supposed to be announced? To be announced. See what I did there? I thought I'd lull you there. Yeah, exactly. It's like the yes and no game, isn't it? It's kind of line.

Yeah, it's why I'd stick there. So we'll see. But what you're going to get is round 13. You know, round 13 of an epic fight, an epic night. And I can't wait. So that was Eddie Earn there talking about, well, Frank Bruno got a mention, Jack Cattrell got a mention, Leo Atton got a mention, just about everybody got a mention. Now, I'm with Jack Cattel here.

Now, bear in mind, Jack's moving up from light well to weight or super lightweight to welterweight. So if you imagine that you're going to see a fighter with big chubby cheeks and flesh hanging over his shorts, you're absolutely wrong. First of all, Jack, thanks for joining me. Has the move been up to Welter? It's been good. Steve, I've been fighting at 140 since my professional debut in 2012. 13 years.

September 2012 now, obviously. I've not grown in height since then, but your body matures, your body changes. And listen, I can still make 140. But when this fight was proposed, you look at Harlem, is maybe what I'd won, two fights at 147. He isn't the tallest, he isn't the biggest at 147. So it was refreshing.

It's a new challenge. I say a new challenge There's been an extra few calories To fuel the training And I feel good So and that's the main thing for me Feeling good And listen, no excuses

Last time I felt good in the ring Last time at 140 But I think On Saturday You're gonna see a better performance With a few more calories in there Yeah a few more It's interesting that Barbosa fight

I mean I suppose chopping the ring After the fight It was a split decision Not a lot in it You could have got it There's no two ways about It wasn't a rob I think you'll admit

There wasn't a robin But you could have got it But you've also, and it's not a chrism, it felt to me like you could have done so much more, Jack. You know what, Steve? I'm kicking myself for it. I could have done more. Everything's all right in hindsight. Yeah, of course.

All genius is the next night. Like you said, no excuses for I could have edged it. There's no complaints. He beat me on the night. And I could sit here and say there were several things. There was no real reason. I'd had a busy active two years. I've been busy fighting and it was always get through this, get through this.

I needed to be better that night and I wasn't. You go back to the drawing board, which I've done, took myself out to America, been sparring and I've doubled down. Which you did a million years ago, of course. Yeah, it was refreshing. I went there on my own, kind of on the back foot, in somebody else's gym, under pressure, took myself out in my comfort zone. I've been training and I feel good and I need to put that performance behind me on Saturday

and put a good performance in and remind people what I can do. So he didn't spend weeks in a dark room upset at the outcome of the fight. You weren't like crying inside and outside. I kicked myself. I was frustrated, but I'm not one to dwell on things. I'm surrounded by too many good people and I'm very blessed. So it's like, of course, all frustrated. I'm very competitive, but the only thing I can do is be better and do better,

and that's what he decided to do. Had you beaten Barbosa that night? Do you think Tiafima Lopez would have thought you like he thought Lopez? You think you would have agreed to that fight? What's your gut feeling? You know, I don't get too bent up and too deep in thought about it. Maybe it could have been me in Madison Square Garden. Maybe something else could have happened.

Who knows? But what's meant for you won't miss you. It wasn't my time that night. But I'm here ready for this one. We're ready for this one. Harlem, you beg, in the other corner. It's an inspired piece of matchmaking. It's an inspired piece of matchmaking.

He's young in boxing years. He's the same age as you, but he's young in boxing years. You know what I mean by that. He's unbeaten. He's coming off the back of some good wins. He's maybe not the biggest world to wait in the world. That's why it's good matchmaking. But he's got an awful lot to gain.

He's going to be a very hungry fighter, Jack. Yeah, and that's the motivation for me. Now, listen, I probably could have slipped on an undercard and had a 10-round international fight. But at 32 years old... 32 yesterday. 32 yesterday. I crave in being involved in big fights.

I want my world title fight. I want to get back in the picture. At well to wait. At 1.40, it doesn't matter. Wherever it comes. Wherever it comes. But a fight on an undercard against an international opponent doesn't do me any favours.

No, I'm not saying I'd be unmotivated for any fight, but this certainly motivates me knowing, like you said, we've got a fighter. Yeah, with a same age, similar age, but in boxing years, he's a bit younger, he's undefeated, he's hungry, he's got it all to gain. Now, that motivates me to work hard, to put him, put him down, push him.

You know what, you're not on this level. I belong here. I want these big fights. So a sort of statement. Statement. And the thing we've been just finally is that, obviously, a lot of people expecting him to be incredibly elusive, to be a bit like Harlem can be.

I'm maybe not seeing it that way. I'm maybe seeing him thinking that he can use the extra weight, because it's a bit tricky the extra weight. People sometimes really believe, because they've been a world to weight. They're going to be that much stronger. I think he's making a mistake. Yeah, you know what?

I've prepared well I've known of Harlem for the last year or so I've watched his fights I say I know what to expect I'm prepared for anything whether he comes out and wants to be elusive

on the back foot whether he wants to come and meet in the middle of the ring hands high I'll be ready for any of that he's delusional if he thinks the extra seven pounds

he's going to be able to stand there and knock me out but then again anything can happen in boxing but I intend to go there Saturday night and absolutely put on a dominant performance. Jack, listen, thanks for your time.

Speak to your Saturday night. Thank you, Steve. So Jack Cattle's gone off to do one of the interviews in this. We're doing it 12 rounds. There's 12 stations, 12 people, he's off there talking. I'm now joined by, I will speak to Harlem, Newbank in a minute, but I'm joined by Jamie Moore. Jamie, I was talking, thanks for joining me, I was talking to Jack there about

the weight, because he still looks, I mean, I look at him, and I don't see a guy that's seven pounds heavier. And because people sometimes think, oh, he can eat what he likes now. It's not that simple, is it? And that's true? Absolutely not. Yeah, he's always been a very thick set, um, 140 fighter. And those extra seven pounds bunts will literally mean he will have to take less. Less off. Yeah. So, so not as much.

You know, he'll literally be able to not take an extra seven pounds off. And it sounds a lot of weight. But when fighters are used to day in, day out, sweating, you know, exerting themselves to the extent where they lose four or five pounds easily in a session. he's not out of the ordinary for them to think well I'm going to lose seven pounds so he just means that he's just not got to take it off but he does whether it's in his mind or it's not in his mind he just seemed relaxed

I know he's always relaxed before he's generally relaxed he's a relaxing kind of cool kind of guy but he seems a little bit more so so what he does seems like calm seems it seems focused though I like what I've seen I like look I think obviously he's got a lot of experience now at this level um

32 years old moving up in weight. So even the fact that you haven't got to sort of go to the extremes to get the extra weight of it is a sort of peace of mind. And I just feel like, like you say, he's always been very laid back, sort of

relaxed, he's always confident in himself. I feel like this fight on Saturday could be that fight where, you know, there's a lot of unknowns about Eubank, let's be honest. We don't know how good he can be. But Jack feels like... Because he's been really good in some fights.

In moments against good guys, he's been really good, let's get that right. He's looked very good in moments. Absolutely. Some he's not. But that can be said about all fighters. Absolutely. So we have to be going in there with the type of attitude where we're expecting the very best of him.

I just feel like Jack's got that aura about him at the minute where he's got a point to prove. And he's a razor-thin decision against Barbosa, could have either way. Unfortunately, we came out the other side of it. But he looks, to me, he's got that demeanor. Like he wants to go out there and put a statement. Yeah, that would be that focus look I could see in his eyes.

Let me ask you a question. Picking up on what you're saying there about a guy putting on four and five pounds, when you're with the fighters, can you tell, if they've had a week away, can you guess body weights? Within a pound or two, I can tell what my fighters were. That's brilliant. I can weigh in with my eyes? Now, can you do that with family members and stuff?

I mean, roughly. They'll be a bit careful when you're doing, but... Yeah, roughly. But you do get... You know, it's more in depth with the fighters because you see them on a daily basis and you're weighing, you know, they're jumping on the skis Gales more regularly. And you can say you'll be okay today.

You'll be over today. You might look at Auntie Barbara and you sort of have a rough guess. But with these guys, within a pound or two, I can get it. And of course, that means they can't lie to you. You try to? Yeah, I mean, we're big Dave Allen who's floating around. That's different. So, you know, he can bury a kebab no problem.

But Jack, and then the rest of them, they can't bury it. They can't bury a junk milk, can they? Let's use Jack an example then. He will literally tell me what he weighs and he'll jump. on a scales and it'll be rough it'll be rough for that. The vast majority of him they're always four pound heavier

he's a standing joke and in all honesty even when I was firing back in the days of Oliver's gym everyone was always four pound heavier than what they actually admitted to being so it's like a complex

you definitely end up with some type of disorder like an eating disorder or you're that obsessed with the weight you don't really want to admit what you weigh so you're sort of kidding yourself. I mean, if people actually

analyze the way we do our weight and the way we do our stuff in boxing, because we know, we're not going to name fighters, you've got fighters in your camp. When they're 10 years of age, they're a little bit chubby, they're wearing plastic bags.

And if you actually show people that in the real world, they'll go, what, so a 10-year-old boy had to wear it, no, it was a girl. What? A 10-year-old girl had to wear a plastic bag to make the weight for a championship.

That's a disgrace. You say, no, it's just normal. In boxing, it's normal. In other sports, they'd absolutely laugh at you. It's crazy. And going forward with Jack, you know, Jack's saying I could still make, like, Welter,

if I needed to, if I had to. So is this fight at Welter also a little bit of a test for you to get a gauge and a sense of just, because I think he looks really strong, but that's different than me saying, I think it. I felt even the punching this week, he's been extra sharp. You know, his body language, his demean has been more relaxed and settled.

I've been saying to him for a long time, it's not necessary for him to move up but I'd like him to just to see how he performs and I feel like that extra seven pound is going to make a big difference into his performance not because he's got an extra seven pounds but because he's not had to take seven pounds off

and the impact that has on your body it's a massive difference yeah nobody knows the impact that actually has until is in this position now where he doesn't have to take it off and then hopefully we're going to see the benefits from it what did you have to lose on average between fights James

you see we was the guinea pigs for the this era now. So, you know, in terms of carb depletion, water loading. So we was sort of going through that scenario. And I would generally take off anything between 7 and 10 pounds within 24 hours of the weighing. And what would you enter camp in? Let's say for your title fights.

When I was making weight healthily, I would be dropping, you know, 20 pound from start to finish. And unhealthily? Unhelpfuler, 35 pound. And I mean, when I box Ryan Rhodes, I lost 20 pound in 20 hours to make weight, which is crazy. You saw that's life-threatening type of weight loss.

But fairly standard 20 or 15, 20 years ago? In all honesty, it wasn't. And when I think about doing it, it was out of desperation. Yeah, good. And in a lot of ways, I'm glad to have been through those experiences because I would never let any of my fighters go through that.

Were you on that bill? It wasn't a bill. It was a press conference when Tony Bellew had accepted a fight against Nathan Cleverley. And he came down. And he literally came up the escalator at the O2 where we were having the press comp,

not the O2, the Dome. Yeah, it was the O2, duh. And he went a bit lighter. And he heard about it. And it was, I'm one of the people that grabs him. Yeah. And because he'd been in a, well, you know, we know he'd been in a saw and Tony, you know,

it was back the way it was, because he so desperately wanted that fight. And the opponent had pulled out on about the Tuesdays, he accepted the fight and it was down on a Thursday. And then I think Frank Warren in the end said, no, he can't do it. And he's at a terrible state. But then, you know,

Fighters have been doing that for years. And rightly so, by the way, yeah. In many ways, not just in terms of making weight, but fighters need protecting from themselves. Absolutely. Because the very makeup of a fighter means they will go through whatever they have to go through to get that victory. And in all honesty, making weight is a massive part of boxing.

So if they don't make the weight, then as a knock on effect, sometimes the fight won't happen. They'll do whatever it takes. And people around them, and that's why I say, to your bun, say about, I'm glad in a way that I've experienced that extreme type of weight loss because I understand it and I now use that experience to pass onto my fighters

and help them do it and I make sure that they don't get to that extreme where I got to because it's dangerous. 20 pounds in 20 hours. Crazy. In more in tiny birds case. James, listen, it's a pleasure and a delight talking to you. Sun's out here in Manchester. As it always is, even in Salford, it's the sun's out.

Sometimes, yeah. Recently. Recently. James, it's an absolute pleasure. And I am going to speak to Harlem, New Bank. doing some fancy pictures, one floor up. He's due down any second, then I'm going to grab him. Okay, so I found Harlem, Eubank.

He's finished his photo sessions. He's down here with me now. Harlem, first of all, thanks so much. I spoke to Jack Catchel earlier on, who's now up at World Tweight, and he looks as big and fresh as ever. Just as you look as big and fresh as ever. Do you see weight being a factor,

or is that a stupid question? And I've asked stupid questions before. I'm not ashamed to say. No, I don't think so. You know, we've both competed at 140 pounds pretty recently. Yeah. You know, we both realize that 147 pounds is the best division in the world. You know, it's more comfortable.

We both feel good. We both feel fresh. And, you know, I'm ready to go in there and make a statement. And it's a fight where you can make a statement, Jack Cattle, because he's a big name, Jack Cato. I know in the past we've made jokes about him being boring. He made his own film about him being boring. But he is a quality fighter who's been in with quality fighters,

It's beaten one, Josh Taylor. Some people say he's beaten Josh Taylor twice. It's a good name for you. Yeah, that is exactly why we wanted this fight. Why are you taking it? Yeah, I'm here to fight the best, and we believe that he's one of the best.

This is the fight that will open the doors to fight the best guys in the world and to go and win a world championship. That's my ambition, and I'm going to sit about that on Saturday night. You know, the... I was it 13 months ago, the ring with Adam Azim, you've got this enormous fight coming up at Lowell-Welter,

then you told me, look, they're not going to take this fight. Then you go up and you have a couple of good wins at World to wait. It's been not frustrating, but you know, you have been ready. You have been knocking on the door. It's not like you've been plucked, luckily, from some lucky draw, by the way. Is that fair to say? Definitely. You know, I've had to do it the hard way.

I've kicked down the doors myself. I've taken the opportunities. I've beaten the fighters in front of me. and my uncle's been telling me for a few years you're ready to win a world title I'm not bringing in your family members that's not what I do I'm not asking how Chris is

and how Chris Jr. is and all that sort of stuff but no but Chris Senior has been your uncle has been a good influence hasn't you? Most definitely most definitely and it's great to have that wealth of knowledge so close and he's been pressuring me for a long time saying you know you're ready you're ready

who's stopping you go in there and and you know state your case. You know what I think it is with you, Harlem, is that people aren't quite sure. Is he as good as he has looked in most of that fight? Is he as good as he looked when he was in those few rounds? So people aren't quite sure,

because you might be really good. You know what I'm saying? And I get that impression from fighters I've talked to. I believe that I am, you know, but in boxing, everyone has a short memory. You have to go in there and remind them. And that's what I'm here to do. It's going to be your great atmosphere in here.

Not Jack's hometown, but it's close enough to where Jack's been and he's been in big fights. You'll like that as well, won't you? I think you'll like that big event, that big event vibe, that big event energy. Yeah, I'm going to enjoy it. I think you are, yeah. Here in Manchester, it's a beautiful city.

My dad was actually born here. It's a beautiful place. I know you've got uncles up here or a cousin because Bobby Joe Edwards used to be related to you. I'm not even sure how, I know, because your uncle used to come up here for his haircuts when he was a world champion, yeah. Yeah, so, you know, we've,

We have history here as well And it's a beautiful city And I've had a warm reception From people on the street You know Through fight week So I'm excited to go in there And you know

State my case And you also get to be part Of a little bit of that whole UBank pantomime villainy as well Because you know no disfess You've had those great fights in Brighton When I was there The crowd's been unbelievable

In the exhibition centre Whatever it's called They'll forget what it's called The Branson They'd be brilliant They're like sleeper nights those we've had on channel one they've been great nights and then other fights but suddenly here will be one where you're against the hometown fire tick previous you banks no it's the truth

yeah yeah so you so suddenly it'd be you coming out to the jeers and the booze i like it i like the thought especially at this level yeah this is a world level fight good point good point to be coming into their backyard and uh ripping it away from them that is that's that's it excites me well that that is that is a u-bank family trait upsetting people. No, that's true. Upsetting opponents. And doing that coming in when they emerge

and the beams on them and there's suddenly people booing, yeah. That's the theatre, you know. When you go in there in a fight, you're not meant to, you're not meant to win and show people exactly what it is. And let me ask you this,

Fine, Hunter. Does this feel like a big fight? Or does it just feel like another fight? Does this feel different? You know, because here we are, a few, whatever, hours out. Yeah.

Do you feel different now than you did going into the previous, your previous unbeaten sequence? No, it feels like the next step, you know, in my career. It feels like the right step, the right time, and, you know, it feels just the same. It feels comfortable. As I said, you know, I'm comfortable here in Manchester. It's nice surroundings. And I'm enjoying it. I'm soaking it up.

And I'm excited for Saturday. Now, will your uncle make a fabulous late appearance like you did when your cousin boxed against Connor that flipping glorious rehearse because you and I sat in Adam Booth's Jim and you went Steve I don't know if I knew he was coming I'd tell you I really would and then of course he made that enormous appearance on the night 67,000 people screamed the plays down you might have been downstairs at that point you know the place the stadium went mad they showed on a big screen yeah I was on the way to the arena but you can feel it again you know he's full of surprises my uncle so you never try and second guess what he's going to do where he's

is going to be and what he brings. What kind of entertainment is going to bring. Listen, you can fight with or without him. I know that much. Harlan, thanks so much for your time. Thanks very much, man. Appreciate it. Pat Brown's also on the bill.

And you know he's going to bring at least, I don't know. I think he sells about 35 tickets, a bit up on the last out. Pat, first of all, a big bill in Manchester. We're getting closer to where you want to be eventually. Yeah, definitely. Obviously, it's the Ayo Arena. There's been many memories there from Rickey Aton, Kroller. Did you go to those as a kid?

I was just saying it before. I never actually went. I used to watch Ramon because I used to always say to myself as a kid. I would only go when I'm fighting. So, yeah, I've not actually... I think I've been to maybe one, but it wasn't like a massive, massive fight. Pat, when you first met Ricky and Cawler,

that sort of Manchester royalty, guys you'd watched on TV, you're saying, you're standing there, standing up late watching pay-per-views. What was that like for a Manchester fight, a Manchester region fight? to meet those, well, boxing royalty, boxing gods? Yeah, it makes a massive difference.

So with Ricky, because he come into the actual gym and he was punching the bag and he was giving a lot of time back to the kids and stuff. And I was only a little toddler then. And it does more than everyone thinks to kids. Because when I was a kid, I was looking at him, I was thinking, like, I want to be, I want to do what you do. He was like me here who was a kid. And whenever I go to that,

level, I will always give back to the amateur clubs like that because these kids, they need to see that they are in front of you. It is possible and they've all started just in a rough boxing gym like that. And in terms of Croller, I remember the first time I met him properly, it was on the Fox ABC Amateur Boxing Show. I beat one of his kids and after it you would have a photo with him and have a trophy and all that stuff. And I've actually still got the pitch on my phone. See, at the moment, you're in line to have A, better hair than Croller and B, be nicer than a. and Crawler, because those are two titles that he's never ever going to surrender. You know that?

Because he's always going to look like he's 27. He's got the greatest hair in the world, and he's the nicest guy in the world. Are you going to give up chasing those two belts, Pat? You could try, but you may never get those belts up. I'll give them to Cruller all day, and he's actually living in his sale now. He's getting about sale, so I'm seeing him more than often. I'm going to ask you, listen, Saturday night, Saturday night, and your opponent's just an opponent's the way it works.

We've talked about how it's going to be, it will step up, and your fans, your thousands of fans are going to, I've got to ask you about a guy that thought last weekend, Jake Paul. Now, there's a lot of people screaming and screaming and shouting. He's got a WBA ranking. That's outrageous. And all sorts of people scream. What's your take on Jake Paul?

Not because he's the same way as you. What's your take on Jake Paul? I think at first it seemed like a gimmick. And, you know, he was saying, I want this guy, want that guy. And you're like, come on. Canelo, Giovanni. It's everybody. Stop tarnishing the sport and stuff.

However, I'd say, I'd say. do believe these past few years he's been taking the sport serious, he's having proper coaching, he's training hard and he started his pro career and it's only like myself having these fights and he's getting in there with like

even though it is, I'm Mike Tyson who's dead old even though it is Chavez Jr. Like Chavez Jr. is still been in there with Canello he knows how to get around the ring. I'm not saying he was fit and in his prime and he wasn't on the ball but you've got to take your hat off to him. He's got millions and millions of followers. That's refreshing.

and think about the nerves and, you know, all eyes are on him wanting him to get battered and he handles the pressure. I don't think he's a bad guy. No, I've met him a few times and I'll tell him he's a decent guy. He knows he winds people up but he also does good stuff, you know, the OMVP.

Yeah, yeah. That's really interesting, because there are too many people that speak to, like certainly other cruiser waits in this country. So I'd knock him out and around. I said, that's not the question because I didn't ask you whether you'd knock him out and around. That's irrelevant.

You know, I don't see him as being the worst thing for boxing and who knows, perhaps one day he will fire you. Who knows? Yeah, who knows? I tell you what? You know you've arrived when you're in his mouth. No, seriously. If the next time he fights, he goes through the normal list, right? Givantor Davis, Lennox Lewis, if he wants to come back.

And that guy, what's that bum called, Pat Brown for Manchester? You know you've arrived, son. Yeah, exactly, when he says it, 100%. What's what's playing for after the fight? I don't want to trivialise the fight and walk away for the fight, but have you got, are other sort of big things playing for you guys?

Yeah, so obviously I've had two fights back to back, so I'll have a nice little month off and just getting the sun, do what I'm doing. And then, yeah, I'll be fighting again. I've been told sometime in September, potentially. So, yeah, straight back to it when I have my month off. And a very different late July going into August than last year with the Olympics.

I mean, it was a different man then. The Olympics were big, you know, you got those dreams. Nice to be away from that. Yeah, it is to be honest. In a kind of odd way? Yeah, no, it is. I've kind of, I've switched that chapter off in my mind. Don't get me wrong, I look back in the very fond memories,

and I had some great times, travelling the world with the GB team, and, you know, I've got friends for life, but in terms of, like, dwelling and looking back, I'm at that sort of guy. And also, Pat, you're an Olympian. That means you can get those hoops tattooed on your body somewhere, and that's it, son.

Yeah, well, that's it, yeah. And, you know, you are an Olympian, and I've been around over the last seven, eight Olympics with Olympians. And it is special. Yeah. No, it's definitely an achievement that I can take to the grade with me. Whenever I have kids, then the grandkids and so on, they'll say my dad, my granddad, he was an Olympian.

And it holds a lot of weight. And I'll forever be proud of myself for that. But I'm not one of them who I never bring it up. It is what it is. It is what it is. Crack on something, I think. Exactly. Yeah, I mean, it still seems like you're struggling to get over.

not being the nicest fighter in Manchester, so I won't dwell on it. Listen, Pat, it's an absolute pleasure to join in. Cheers, Bono. Enjoy yourself Saturday. Thank you. So that was Pat Brown there. Olympian, massive ticket seller.

And I'll tell you what, I'll say this now, old-fashioned boxing heart frog. And I really mean that. Oh, it's a brilliant business we're in. Before that, of course, Harlem, Eubank. Always a pleasure to talk to him. Pleasure, obviously, to talk to Jack Cattle. Great always to catch up with Jamie Moore.

Eddie Hearn was, as usual, brilliant at the top. taking us from the past, the present to the future at the logo launch, which is a nice way of saying it. But this is the fight. Cattrell, Harlem, Ubank at the Manchester Arena or whatever it's called. Now, I make no apologies. It's always going to be the MEN to me. It's live from 7pm on Sports Extra 2. It's a clash of two people trying to work out where one of them is going to go. It's that simple. It's not quite the last chance alone. Don't get carried away. way. But boxing's full of so many big surprises and so many big fights if you just win this one, that this fight has become a bit special. I'm Steve Bunce and this is Five Live Boxing.

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