Harlem Eubank vs David Papot

This is a tough outing for Harlem Eubank. I see this as a real banana skin. David Papot is awkward, experienced, a southpaw, and he knows how to nick rounds without looking spectacular. He’s not a massive puncher, but he’s clever, and those are the ones who make you look ordinary if you start admiring your own work.

Harlem’s got the sharper feet, the better athletic pop, and when he’s loose, he can bounce in and out nicely, stabbing that jab and changing the angle before the other fella has set his feet. But here’s the rub: against southpaws, he can’t be drifting off lazy or standing square after he throws. Papot will look to touch him with that backhand, spoil the rhythm, and turn the fight into a fiddly little chess match.

Papot’s strength is his patience. He doesn’t panic, doesn’t waste loads, and he’ll try to make Harlem lead, miss, then reset. But he hasn’t got the spite to really put Eubank in his shell. That’s where I think Harlem starts taking over. If he doubles the jab, keeps his lead foot outside, and rips the right hand to body and head, Papot will have to work harder than he wants.

Early doors, it might be cagey, even a bit scruffy. But by the middle rounds, Harlem’s engine and freshness should start telling. He won’t blow Papot away, because Papot is durable and knows every little trick in the book, but he’ll bank rounds, finish stronger, and make the cleaner work count.