Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna LIVE RESULT: Reaction as Eubank DROPS McKenna TWICE in brutal display
HARLEM EUBANK put on a BRUTAL display to stop Tyrone McKenna in a one-sided win on home soil in Brighton.
Eubank dropped McKenna twice fighting up at welterweight, with his uncle Chris Eubank Sr walking him down to the ring.
Harlem now moves to an unblemished record of 21-0 as he looks to get into the world title picture.
On a thrilling undercard, former Olympian and world title contender Michael Conlan ended his run of two losses on the bounce and booked himself a EBU featherweight title fight for his next fight.
- Start time: Undercard on NOW
- Fight-time: 10pm GMT
- TV Channel: Channel 5
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Eubank aims for the world title
Harlem Eubank spoke about his aspirations after the victory over Ireland's McKenna.
He told Seconds Out: “I know I can cause damage at the top level. I’m on my game. I’m a force in the division, and I can win a world title.
"I know I’m at that level now, so I’m ready to push on and prove it to everyone that doubted – to prove myself in the division.
“I’m not waiting around for anyone. I’m in my own lane now, and I’m marching towards a world-title opportunity, and I believe that that was evident.
"This year, 2025, is gonna be my year – we’re starting it off with a bang, and that’s what we done. We’re bringing big-time boxing back to Brighton.
"I want to be a world champion in 2025. I’m ready to fight at world level."
Eubank Sr predicts fight between nephew and Benn
Credit: Getty Connor Benn is having to jump two weight divisions for the bout against Chris Eubank Jr on an April 26 at Tottenham's stadium.
Eubank Sr predicted this late drama will force Benn into a welterweight clash with Harlem.
He said: "Conor used to fight at 147lbs (the same weight as Harlem Eubank) and I think that this will be the next fight.
"I believe the fight with Jr will fall through and a fight with his cousin will happen next."
Speed was on Eubank's side
McKenna credited Eubank's incredible speed as the reason for his victory.
Defeated McKenna said: “It was cagey at the start, but maybe his speed... Yeah, it was just hard to pin down.
“My plan was to box and try and catch him coming in because I don’t think he’s great at coming forward.
"But once I wasn’t working, my plan was to go to plan B, which would have been a war, but I just couldn’t pin him down.
“He’s very good at slipping and coming back with good shots and finding the openings.
"But the only time it was getting close, it was getting into a hugging match and we were getting thrown about and his head was getting crushed. But I’m an old man and he was just too fast for me.”
How Eubank got to the victory
The main event got off to a cagey start as 35-year-old McKenna, who had significant height and reach advantages, tried to box rather than fight.
In the third, the tempo picked up a bit more as Eubank moved in closer and twice knocked the visitor to the ground - neither of these moves were considered knockdowns.
Referee Lyson halted the follow-up attack after Eubank delivered another knockdown in the last round.
McKenna: 'I love every second of fighting'
Despite losing to Eubank yesterday, McKenna continued smiling and called the match "fun".
McKenna said: "I love every second of fighting.Even if I’m fighting a tough one there, I still love it. I still love entertaining people and laughing and having fun in there.
"I still did have fun, but he was just a level above me tonight.”
How the records stands
Picking up the IBF Intercontinental welterweight title, 31-year-old Harlem Eubank is now 21-0 (9 KOs), while 35-year-old McKenna slips to 24-6-1 (7 KOs).
Eubank Sr doubts Eubank Jr vs Benn
After that huge call out from Harlem Eubank, where he demanded that he fight Conor Benn next, his Uncle Chris Eubank Senior entered the ring and said he is not convinced Eubank Jr vs Benn will happen on April 26.
Eubank Sr said: “Conor used to fight at 147lbs (the same weight as Harlem Eubank) and I think that this will be the next fight.
“I believe the fight with Jr will fall through and a fight with his cousin will happen next.”
Harlem wants Conor Benn
Speaking in the ring after his win last night, Harlem Eubank called out Conor Benn for his next fight.
Eubank said: “I want Conor Benn next.
“I fight at 147lbs and his real weight class is at 147lbs.
“Chris [Eubank] is going to wipe him out and I want him next”.
“I’m coming for the world Champions.”
Toward shocked on undercard
Dan Toward suffered the first pro loss of his career in a huge shock by Muzamiru Kakande.
Kakande knocked out Dan Toward with a huge right hand over the top which sent Toward flying.
Toward’s record now goes to 5-1 after the shock on the undercard last night.
Credit: Getty
Eubank Sr questions Jr vs Benn
After the huge call out from Harlem Eubank, where he demanded that he fight Conor Benn next, his Uncle Chris Eubank Senior entered the ring and said he is not convinced Eubank Jr vs Benn will happen on April 26.
"Conor used to fight at 147lbs (the same weight as Harlem Eubank) and I think that this will be the next fight.
"I believe the fight with Jr will fall through and a fight with his cousin will happen next."
Huge fight call out
Speaking to the ringside reporter, Harlem Eubank has called out Conor Benn for his next fight.
"I want Conor Benn next.
"I fight at 147lbs and his real weight class is at 147lbs.
"Chris (Eubank) is going to wipe him out and I want him next".
"I'm coming for the world Champions."
Eubank becomes the IBF intercontinental welterweight champion.
In what was a boxing clinic by Harlem Eubank, he now has a perfect record of 21-0.
He now sets his sights on the the world championship fights.
Many critics are saying that was his best performance in the ring so far.
Harlem Eubank wins by by TKO!
Harlem Eubank defeats Tyrone McKenna in the tenth round by TKO in what was a fantastic performance!
After going down twice, McKenna ran out of steam and was taking many shots in this round that ultimately forced the referee to stop this fight.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R9
Round nine goes to Eubank.
Eubank eases on the gas this round, selecting his shots safely.
It's important Eubank doesn't stop the pressure completely with three rounds remaining.
With Eubank going up a weight class, McKenna is always dangerous with his huge frame.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R8
Another round goes to Eubank.
Not as much action in this round as Eubank uses lots of feints to try and find openings.
McKenna would need something very special to change the trajectory of this fight.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R7
McKenna is down again!
Eubank hits a flush shot down the middle again with the right hand just before the bell goes for the end of the round.
That bell may have saved McKenna who will get to recover in between rounds.
This has been an absolute clinic by Eubank who is putting on a beautiful boxing performance.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R6
Eubank with another fantastic round which must see him go well ahead of the judges scorecards, especially with that 10-8 score in the last round.
Eubank looks sharp being able to get on inside with ease now as McKenna looks tired.
McKenna is still landing exchnages though, so Eubank is being precautious at times.
We hit the midway mark of this fight with 6 rounds left to go.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R5
McKenna knocked down in round five! Eubank lands a fantastic shot right through the middle of Mckenna's guard.
Another fantastic round by both men which saw big exchanges by both men.
Eubank is flowing now and is looking fantastic in this fight.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R4
Huge shot by Eubank wobbles McKenna!
After a good start to the round Eubank positions himself to land a huge left hook which left a cut on McKenna right eye.
After semingly recovering quick McKenna is on the back foot but he is still in this fight.
The round ends with another big left hook by Eubank in what has been a great round.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R3
Fans thought there was knockdown there as McKenna falls to the canvas but the referee calls it a slip.
Another exchange sees McKenna fall to the canvas for a second time but just another slip according to the ref.
Eubank imposed his shifty footwork if this round very effectively.
And it was certainly Eubank's best round yet.
McKenna needs to impose his jab more if he wants to control the fight.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R2
McKenna is imposing his jab on Eubank well in this round using that height difference to his advantage.
McKenna standing at 6'1 is his biggest advantage in this fight and will a huge factor if he was to win this fight.
A slightly less interesting round saw both men impose their fight tactics but not many huge blows.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna - R1
A knife could cut the tension in this arena tonight as the two men meet each other in the centre of the ring.
Eubank looks sharp in this first round landing multiple jabs.
There's a huge height difference between the two men which is very evident seeing them close together.
Eubank standing at just 5'8 is using his speed and technique to get on the inside of his opponent.
It's time for the main event!
Its the moment we've all been waiting for.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna, the winner becomes IBF intercontinental welterweight champion.
With a record of 20-0 and fighting in his home town of Brighton he is the favourite but in front of him is a very difficult opponent.
Happy with the result and ready to go again.
Conlan briefly spoke to the ring side reporter where he shared his thoughts.
He Said: That was the longest time I've been in the ring and it made it more difficult.
It started to flow (in the later rounds) and I felt good".
Official scoring - Michael Conlan wins by unanimous decision.
The referee Bob Williams scored the bout 78-74.
After over a year out of the ring, the boxer from Belfast leaves the ring with a win for the first time since 2022.
Shortly after the scoring announcement, Michael Conlan was seen in the ring facing off with Cristobal Lorente who holds the EBU European featherweight title.
This will be his next fight and will keep him active in his final chapter of his career.
