Harlem Eubank says Papot win will line up Liam Paro fight
Harlem Eubank believes a win over David Papot at London's Copper Box Arena on Saturday will line up a shot at new IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro. The Brighton welterweight is the betting underdog for their IBF international title fight, but says victory would put him in line for the world champion.
Key Takeaways
- Harlem Eubank faces David Papot for the IBF international title at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday.
- Eubank told Sky Sports that beating Papot would deliver a top-five IBF ranking and help line up a fight with Liam Paro.
- Paro won the IBF welterweight belt from Lewis Crocker on points last month; Papot's only career loss came against Paro last September.
- Eubank is the betting underdog and has one defeat, a technical decision to Jack Catterall after a clash of heads.
- His last outing was a shutout points win over Josh Wagner in November; Wagner was previously stopped by Papot in 2024.
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Why does Harlem Eubank want to fight Liam Paro?
According to Sky Sports, Eubank sees Papot as a career-defining step. He called the bout "a bit of an eliminator," noting Papot is ranked above him with the IBF and both men sit high in the ratings.
"Defeating Papot will give me a top-five position and put me in line to fight the champion, which is a fight that can easily be made," Eubank said. "But I'm fully focused on Papot."
Australian Paro took the IBF title from Belfast's Lewis Crocker on points last month. Eubank argued Crocker started too late and that Paro "knows how to do just enough to win."
Who is David Papot and why is Eubank the underdog?
Papot is a French welterweight whose lone defeat came against Paro last September. Eubank said he has studied that fight more than Papot's stoppage of Josh Wagner, calling it Papot's best showing and a "world-title-level fight."
"I'm the betting underdog in this fight," Eubank told Sky Sports. "He is an experienced operator. It's a fight that excites me and I can't wait to get in there."
Racing Post listed Papot as favorite around 8-11, with Eubank near 11-10, for the 12-rounder starting from 7pm with a main-event ring walk from 9pm on DAZN.
What must Harlem Eubank prove against Papot?
DAZN noted Eubank is chasing a loftier ranking and a path back toward world level after falling short against Jack Catterall last summer. That sole loss came by technical decision after seven completed rounds when a clash of heads forced the scorecards.
Before Catterall, Eubank had won 21 straight. Racing Post argued much of that form looked thin at world level, while praising Papot's showing against Paro as stronger than anything Eubank has produced.
Eubank, 32 and a nephew of Chris Eubank Sr., returns after the Wagner win. He believes clearing Papot is the hurdle that can put a Paro title shot within reach—if he can upset the odds first.