HARLEM EUBANK got Brighton boxing its first home win in 32 years with a bang and uncle Chris Sr proudly in his corner.
The iconic seaside town and long-time home of the Eubank fighting family had been starved of big-time boxing since British ring legend Chris Sr’s 1991 win over Dan Sherry at the Brighton Centre.
But his nephew returned to the same spot to chin dogged German visitor Timo Schwarzkopf in the 11th round and pay his father and former fighter Simon – who sadly died in September – a touching tribute.
The 32-year-old German kicked off the action with a looping right hand that landed and showed off Eubank’s genetic grit around the jaw.
The Brit eased into the contest and scored with impressive body shots, he also showed clever and forceful ring skills, moving the elder veteran around.
Schwarzkopf even hit the deck when the pair collided but the referee rightly ruled it a slip.
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Baritone choruses of “You Bank” echoed around the Centre in the second round, just like in his uncle’s 1990s’ golden era.
Eubank’s childhood karate titles have left him with exciting and unorthodox footwork and it opened up a beautiful third-round knockdown.
A superb change of angles set-up an uppercut that stunned Schwarzkopf and turned his legs to jelly before his top half folded down upon his limbs.
The underdog did well to rise and recover while shipping more digs and hurling the odd haymaker back before the bell saved him.
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Schwarzkopf, never stopped in 27 previous bouts, recovered for the fourth but kept getting stabbed by long rangy straight shots and chinned by close-up hooks and uppercuts.
Eubank lost a point on the fifth for low blows, it seemed harsh as they were clearly accidental but he had been warned by ref John Latham.
Gifted a big advantage, Schwarzkopf got greedy and punished with two slashing uppercuts through his guard right on the bell.
Kosovo-born Schwarzkopf never stopped slugging into the sixth and Eubank had to show a solid chin as well as tight defence.
It felt like Eubank’s engine started to flag in the second half of the fight, while Schwarzkopf had a warehouse full of kitchen sinks to chuck in his direction well beyond closing time.
The Hove audience was hushed in round eight when it looked like their hero was hurt and struggling. But he sparked back into life and action and left Schwarzkopf buzzed just before the bell.
The championship rounds seemed to be slipping away sleepily into the Sussex night.
But at 11:05pm Eubank landed a peach of a right hook and robbed Schwarzkopf of his senses and balance.
The brave visitor bounced back up off the canvas but the action was expertly waved off before he was hurt further.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
