Harlem Eubank views Tyrone McKenna as a ‘stepping stone’ towards his world title goal and refuses to rule out a reunion between Chris Eubank Snr and Jr ahead of Conor Benn fight

Harlem Eubank is on a mission. He sees this evening’s showdown with Tyrone McKenna as more than just another fight—it’s a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal of a world title. 

The 32-year-old has his eyes set on the biggest prizes in boxing, and while names like Conor Benn and Adam Azim may cross his path, his primary focus is on chasing championship glory.

‘For me, this fight is about pushing towards world title dreams,’ Eubank said to Mail Sport. ‘If those names [Benn and Azim] fall in line on the way to titles, then we’ll dispatch of them along the way for sure. But this year is about zoning in and chasing those world title opportunities. 

‘Those are the dreams I started out with. It was those dreams that led me to the gym and made me dedicate my life to the sport for the last 12 years. So yeah, I will be chasing those dreams, and this is a big step on that trajectory.’ 

Eubank’s determination comes after what he admits was the most challenging year of his career. A prolonged spell out the ring left him mentally and physically drained, forcing him to rediscover his passion for the sport. 

‘2024 was definitely the hardest year I’ve had,’ he admitted. ‘To be out of the ring for so long while constantly preparing for battle is really tough. It can cause you to burn out mentally and physically. 

‘The frustrations of not being able to translate what you’re working on into the ring is so frustrating. A lot of things come into play, and there is a lot of strain mentally. You can almost lose faith in the sport that you’ve invested so much time into.

‘So this year is just about a new mindset. Gaining back that love for the sport I have always carried, that passion, that creativity, and going in there and making that translate into my performance.’

His return to the ring and welterweight debut last year didn’t showcase his best, something he’s eager to change against McKenna.

‘I think the best version of me is yet to be seen. When you’re out of the ring for so long, I just needed to get back in there. I didn’t have an opponent that came to try and spoil the party. 

‘He didn’t try to come and win. Which can cause the case. But, people definitely haven’t seen the best of me. They’ve seen glimpses of what I can do. I am excited to actually show people what I am capable of this year.’

McKenna is no easy opponent. The Irishman is battle-tested, having fought some of the biggest names in British boxing, and is coming into this fight in fine form after a dominant stoppage win.

‘I think he’s a good fighter,’ Eubank acknowledged. ‘I think he’s in his prime, based on his last performances. He’s coming off a stoppage win, as you said. You know, two or three rounds, taking this guy out of there. So you know, you’d have to say he’s on good form. He’s on a good run.

‘He’s got his energy back for the sport. He started his training camp in Germany. He separated himself from distractions, and he is more focused than ever. This is the most focused phase of his career, and that’s saying a lot as he’s been around the block. 

‘He’s competed at world level, you know. He’s fought some of the biggest domestic names and always brought a tough, rugged fight. I expect the best version of him on Friday night. I think he’s at a stage in his career where he wants a resurgence, and he’ll be bringing 110 percent.’

Away from his own career, Harlem has been watching the build-up to Chris Eubank Jr’s highly anticipated clash with Conor Benn. The rivalry took a bizarre turn recently when Eubank Jr slapped Benn with an egg—a playful nod to the controversy surrounding Benn’s failed drug tests, which were linked to clomiphene, a fertility drug that can be found in contaminated eggs.

‘I was as entertained as everyone else,’ Harlem admitted. ‘It’s very well thought through. A bit of lighthearted entertainment that brought back a multi-layered story about the eggs. 

‘It got people asking the right questions again. This is a sport where things are forgotten very quickly. So yeah, a great bit of lighthearted humor that brought back the right questions into the forefront.’

Many were surprised by Eubank Jr’s antics, but Harlem insists it was entirely in character.

‘I don’t think it was out of character. I think Chris knows how to prod and poke people. He knows how to choose the right thing to do at the right time. He clearly thought it was the right time to do that to Conor Benn. Clearly, by the public’s reaction, he chose wisely.

‘But yeah, I think Chris is good at the promotional side of the sport. He’s able to bring the sport back into contact with the people that aren’t necessarily hardcore boxing fans. 

‘I’ve heard people talking about the egg slap in multiple locations where you wouldn’t usually hear boxing being discussed. Walking around in the shops, you overhear people’s conversations, and that is what they were talking about. So, in all honesty, Chris is carrying the promotion.’

When it comes to the fight itself, Harlem believes his cousin has a clear advantage over Benn—not just physically, but mentally.

‘I think as far as we’ve seen at the moment, there is a mismatch not just physically but mentally. We’ve seen that mismatch mentally in the build-up to this fight. In terms of in the ring, Chris is ten steps ahead. We’ve seen that in the build-up, and we will see it in the ring.’

One lingering question is whether Chris Eubank Sr will return to his son’s corner for the Benn fight. Their relationship has been complex in recent years, but Harlem isn’t ruling out a dramatic last-minute reunion.

‘I hope so. But that is between Junior and Senior. Hopefully, closer to the time, they will be able to do it together. If Senior gets in the right position to be involved and he’s happy to be part of it, we could see it.

‘So, let’s see closer to the time what happens. You can never write off the prospect of Senior coming in to steal the show.’