Tonight's Manchester Card: What You Need to Know About the Catterall-Eubank Undercard

By Lewis Barnett 5 July, 2025 6 mins read 40 Views

Look, I'll be honest with you.

I was scrolling through fight cards last week when my buddy texted me: "Catterall's moving up to welterweight?" And honestly? I had to double-check because this whole thing happened so fast. One minute El Gato's chasing Teofimo Lopez at 140, the next he's facing a Eubank at 147. Boxing in 2025, everyone.

But here's the thing about tonight's Manchester card - it's actually stacked beyond just the main event. Jack Catterall vs Harlem Eubank is getting all the attention (rightfully so), but there's some serious talent scattered throughout this bill that deserves your attention. Especially if you're already paying for DAZN anyway.

Audio Summary of the Article

The Eubank Kid Has Everything to Prove

Harlem Eubank walks into this fight with a perfect 21-0 record, but let's be real - he's been fighting on free-to-watch cards for a reason. Tonight's different. This is his "welcome to the big leagues" moment against a guy who's been in there with elite competition. Catterall might be coming off that heartbreaking split decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr in February (still think he won that fight, by the way), but the man knows how to perform under pressure.

The nephew of Chris Sr, cousin of Chris Jr... yeah, we get it. Boxing royalty and all that. But can he actually fight when it matters?

Joe Cordina's Got Something to Say

The co-main event features Joe Cordina going after the vacant WBO global lightweight title against Jaret Gonzalez, and honestly? This might be the sleeper fight of the night. Cordina's been through hell and back in his career - lost his world title, fought his way back, and now he's hungry again. That's dangerous.

I've seen Gonzalez fight twice in person, and the kid can bang. Don't sleep on this one.

Skye Nicolson's Redemption Tour Begins

Poor Skye Nicolson. She was undefeated until Tiara Brown handed her that first professional loss, and now she's dropping down to featherweight to face Carla Gonzales. Moving down weight classes after a loss? That's either brilliant strategy or desperation. We'll find out which one tonight.

Her team swears she's going to become a two-time world champion, but first she needs to prove she can handle the mental side of bouncing back from defeat. That's harder than people think.

The Rest of the Card (Don't Skip These)

William Crolla - Anthony's younger brother - brings an 8-0 record with six knockouts against Fraser Wilkinson. The Crolla name carries weight in Manchester, and William's been putting people to sleep. Worth watching if you like your boxing violent and short.

Aqib Fiaz vs Alex Murphy could be a war. Pat Brown vs Lewis Oakford has upset potential written all over it. And honestly? Sometimes these "smaller" fights end up being more entertaining than the main events.

Leo Atang vs Milen Paunov, Alfie Middlemiss vs Mohammed Wako, Niall Brown vs Victor Ionascu - look, I'm not gonna pretend I know everything about these guys, but that's what makes boxing beautiful. You never know when someone's gonna have their breakout moment.

How to Actually Watch This Thing

It's all on DAZN, which... fine. Another streaming service, another monthly payment. But here's the breakdown if you're not already subscribed:

Monthly pass runs you £24.99 (or $29.99 if you're stateside), and you can cancel whenever. The annual deal is £119.99 / $224.99 upfront, which breaks down to about £14.99 / $19.99 per month. Basic math says the annual subscription saves you money if you're planning to watch more than five months worth of fights.

And honestly? With 185+ fights per year across boxing, MMA, bare knuckle, and kickboxing, you'll probably get your money's worth. Especially if you're the type who ends up watching random Tuesday night fights at 2 AM because you can't sleep.

The whole card streams live in over 200 countries, so no matter where you are, you can watch Catterall try to prove he belongs at welterweight while Harlem Eubank fights for his boxing life.

Should be a good night. Just don't blame me if you end up staying up too late watching fights you didn't plan on caring about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can boxing enhance mental health?

Boxing improves mental health in many ways. It reduces stress, boosts mood, increases self-esteem, promotes discipline, and provides a sense accomplishment. The mental focus needed during training can act as a kind of meditation. This helps to improve your concentration and clarity.

Is sparring necessary for beginners in boxing?

Sparring is not immediately necessary for beginners; it is something you should only consider once you have a solid foundation in the basics and a good level of fitness. Under the guidance of a coach, and using protective equipment to ensure safety, it's important to spar.

How long does it usually take for a boxer to master the art?

It can take a long time to master boxing. This depends on many factors, including natural ability, consistency of training, quality instruction, and commitment to practice. With regular training, your basic skills could improve significantly within a few short months.

What is the importance of breathing in boxing?

In boxing, breathing correctly is crucial. It helps you maintain your stamina and energy levels, as well as keep you relaxed while training or during a match. Exhale sharply after each punch. Breathe rhythmically by inhaling and exhaling with your nose.

What equipment will I need to begin boxing?

You need essential equipment to begin boxing. This is for your safety and training. It includes a boxing glove and hand wraps which protect the wrists and arms, as well a mouthguard if you are sparring. In addition, athletic clothing and boxing boots are recommended for greater support and better movement.

How many times should a novice boxer train per week?

Beginners should aim to do two or three sessions of boxing per week. This will allow for adequate rest and recovery time. As you gain experience and fitness in the sport, you can gradually increase the intensity and the frequency of your workouts.

What is the proper boxing stance?

The classic boxing posture involves standing with your legs shoulder-width apart. Your lead foot should be forward and your rear foot should be at a angle of 45 degrees. Your knees should be slightly bent, with your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. Hands up for protection of your face. Elbows tucked under to protect the torso.

Statistics

Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
Approximately 50% of beginner boxers drop out within the first six months, highlighting the importance of sustaining motivation and setting realistic goals.

External Links

How To

How to Work on a Bag for Beginners

Training with heavy bags is an excellent way to increase strength and learn new combinations. Beginner punches should be focused on correct technique and form. Use the bag in a similar way to an opponent. Move around it, and strike at different angles and levels. You can add more complicated combinations as you get better and increase your intensity. As you progress, add more complex combinations and increase intensity.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/boxing/trumps-wild-white-house-ufc-plan-makes-me-question-everything-about-2025