My Dad Fed Through a Baby Bottle: How Simon Eubank's Dementia Hell Drives Me Forward

By Lewis Barnett 4 July, 2025 7 mins read 32 Views

God, where do I even start with this one.

Harlem Eubank's sitting across from me in Manchester, and we're talking about the most brutal thing imaginable - watching your father waste away because boxing destroyed his brain. Twenty losses. Eleven knockouts. Frontal lobe dementia at 61. Simon Eubank died in September 2023, and his son's about to step into the same ring that killed him.

Makes you wonder what the hell we're all doing here, doesn't it?

Audio Summary of the Article

The Baby Bottle

Chris Eubank Sr told me something last month that I can't shake. In those final months, Simon was so far gone that Harlem had to feed his own father through a baby's bottle. Think about that for a second. A grown man, reduced to that because he took too many punches for too little money.

I asked Harlem how he sleeps at night, knowing he's chasing success in the same sport that butchered his dad's mind. His answer surprised me.

"It's tough," he said, and there was this long pause where you could hear the Manchester traffic outside. "But I feel like, while you're active in the sport, you have to remove teh dangers from your mind and your thinking."

Remove the dangers. Like that's even possible when your family name is synonymous with boxing tragedies.

The Eubank Curse (Yeah, I Said It)

Listen, we need to talk about the elephant in the room here.

1991: Chris Sr nearly kills Michael Watson. Life-changing brain injuries. 2016: Chris Jr does the same thing to Nick Blackwell. Now Harlem's carrying this weight into every fight, knowing what his bloodline has done to other people's families.

But here's the thing that got me - instead of running from it, he's using it as fuel. "My dad, you could say he was taken advantage of, in a very dangerous sport. And it was sad to see. His decline with dementia was fast. But I can only use that to motivate myself to achieve my targets and make my dad proud."

Poor Simon never got the recognition or riches that his brother Chris Sr earned. Never had the team, never had the protection. Just took beating after beating until there was nothing left.

Saturday Night in Enemy Territory

Jack Catterall's waiting for him this Saturday in Manchester. Home crowd, everything to lose for Harlem. But you know what's wild? The kid might actually beat his cousin Chris Jr to a world title.

Jr's tied up with that Conor Benn rematch nonsense until September (seriously, how many times are we gonna watch these two dance around each other?). Meanwhile, Harlem's been grinding it out in places like Portsmouth and Swindon - yeah, SWINDON - since turning pro in 2017.

"That would be something, wouldn't it?" he grinned when I brought up potentially beating Jr to the punch. "Yeah, that'd be a nice little bragging right to hold over the older cousin."

The Real Question Nobody Wants to Ask

How do you justify it? How do you step through those ropes knowing what happened to your father, knowing what your family has done to others?

Harlem's answer was brutally honest: "When you choose to fight for a living, and when you choose to go between the ropes, you know what you signed up for. You sign up for the control to go out of your hands."

He paused, looked out the window at the Manchester skyline.

"You have to put the control into your training and into your preparation to make sure you're the most prepared you can be, going into what could be a brutal fight. You need to have a knowledgeable and reliable team around you. And I sadly don't think my dad ever had that and that's sad, because the result was dementia."

That's it. That's the whole story right there.

Simon Eubank didn't have what his son has now. Didn't have the team, the preparation, the protection. Just had heart and not much else, and boxing chewed him up adn spit him out.

Now his son's trying to honor that sacrifice by doing it right. By being smarter. By maybe, just maybe, getting the glory that his father never could.

Saturday night will tell us if it's working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone learn to box professionally?

Not everyone can compete at the professional level. The combination of talent, physical ability, mental toughness and dedication is required for professional boxing. Prospective boxers should also be willing accept the inherent risk of the sport. A thorough examination by a trainer is a good way to determine whether or not someone has potential for a boxing career.

How do boxers control their weight and maintain their weight classes?

Boxers maintain their weight with a combination of strict diets, and training. They typically work with nutritionists to develop a diet plan that ensures they can reach their weight class target without sacrificing nutrition and energy required for training. The importance of regular weight check-ins and regular exercise is crucial, especially in the run up to a fight. Weight management involves a strategic approach that, if not performed correctly, can result in health problems and/or poor performance.

What equipment is essential for someone starting in professional boxing?

Equipment essential for those who want to get into professional boxing include boxing gloves, mouthguards, headgears (for sparring) and the right footwear. For technical training, a heavy bag, a speed bag, a double-end bag and other aids are essential. It is essential to use equipment that provides protection and durability. Otherwise, you may increase your risk of injury.

How long is it usually required to become a professional fighter?

The time required to become a boxer professional can be very different. The time it takes to become a professional boxer can vary widely. It all depends on an individual's skill level at the start, their ability to adapt to the sport and the quality training they receive. It may take several years for a dedicated amateur athlete to reach the level of a professional. Some talents will develop faster than others.

How can amateur boxers become professional?

As you transition from amateur to pro boxing, your competition intensity, mental preparation, and training will increase significantly. An amateur boxer must establish a strong track record of performance, typically honing skills in various local and national competitions. The key is to get a professional boxing certificate and work with managers and trainers that can guide you in your career and help secure professional bouts.

What are professional boxing's risks?

Professional boxing is a contact sport and as such, it carries risks. There are acute injuries, including cuts, bruises and broken bones. Also, there may be chronic conditions, like concussions syndromes or neurological disorders, that can develop from repeated impacts. Boxing regulations, safety gear, and proper training can help reduce risks. However, they cannot be completely eliminated. Accepting and understanding these risks are essential to choosing to box professionally.

What are the roles of managers and promoters in a professional boxer's career?

Promoters and managers play a crucial role in the professional career of a boxer. Managers are responsible for guiding the boxer's career path, negotiating contracts, and handling the business affairs of the boxer. Also, they help select the right fights while looking out for the interests of the boxer. Promoters on the other hand focus on event planning, marketing of fights, attracting audience, and sponsor attention. This enhances a fighter's public image and earning potential.

Statistics

Approximately 80% of professional boxers start their career in the amateur ranks before transitioning to the professional level.
Less than 10% of professional boxers are undefeated throughout their career, highlighting the sport's competitive nature.
Reports suggest that successful professional boxers can earn upwards of 50 times more than the median purse for entry-level professionals per fight.
The average age for boxers to turn professional is between 18 to 25 years, though many continue to compete well into their 30s and beyond.
Research shows that a boxer's reaction time is typically under 0.25 seconds, honed through repetitive drills and sparring.
Professional boxers typically train 4 to 6 hours per day, 5 to 6 days a week, depending on their fight schedule.
As per recent surveys, only about 17% of professional boxers reach a title shot opportunity in their careers.

External Links

How To

How to choose the best boxing equipment

It is important to choose the right boxing equipment for safety and effective training. Invest in quality gloves that provide sufficient cushioning and wrist support. Learn how to correctly wrap your hand wraps. A mouthguard is a great way to protect your teeth, and also reduce the risk for concussion. For training, consider a variety of punching bags--each to develop different aspects of your technique--and a durable pair of boxing shoes that offer good ankle support and traction.

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https://sportingexcitement.com/boxing/this-whole-fury-retirement-thing-complete-bollocks-according-to-del-boy