Harlem Eubank warns Tyrone McKenna he is in for "painful night"

Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna press conference quotes

Eubank: "Tyrone is in for a painful night"

McKenna: "I'm going to beat him up"

Unbeaten super-lightweight prospect Harlem Eubank (20-0, 8KO) faces the riskiest opponent of his career when he meets "The Mighty Celt" Tyrone McKenna (24-5-1, 7KO) in Brighton on March 7, on a Wasserman Boxing show, live and free on Channel 5.

At 34, with four losses in his last seven contests, you could be forgiven for thinking McKenna is in the twilight of his career now, but a second-round stoppage win over 19-2 Dylan Moran in December, dubbed the ‘Irish Hagler-Hearns’, suggests otherwise.

30-year-old Harlem Eubank knows he must deal with the threat of Belfast brawler McKenna in convincing fashion if he is to move up towards major championship fights.

After over a year out the ring, the first cousin to Chris Eubank Jr. was able to defeat the tough Frenchman Nurali Erdogan in a scrappy eight-round contest last November in Newcastle to shake off the ringrust.

Now, the former WBO Global super-lightweight titlist is aiming to stay active with his second fight within four months. This is what he and his newest rival had to say at the press conference launch:

Harlem Eubank: "McKenna is going to be in for a hard night. He likes wars, but he's picked the wrong one this time and he will find out the hard way.

"I'm here to put an end to the mistruths that he has planted in his head. It's going to be beautiful and it's what I have been waiting for. I've been waiting for someone to bring a war and bring it to me head on.

"And if Tyrone is that man then the fans are in for a treat, on March 7, and Tyrone is in for a painful night."

Tyrone McKenna: "I only want wars.  I enjoy standing toe-to-toe, trading and breaking the other man's heart and Match 7 will be no different and we will be able to swim in the blood at the end, of a fight of non-stop action.

"Harlem is not ready for this and he has got to 20-0 because of his last name.  He's not ready and I'm going to beat him up."

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman: "There has been a massive storm in Brighton this week and it is only going to grow between now and March 7.

"We have a blockbuster of a card, headlined by a real throwback fight.  Tyrone McKenna really brings it and is rarely in a bad fight but Harlem is planning on making a big statement.

"This fight is now for the vacant IBF Intercontinental title, so the winner will get a top 10 ranking in the world."

Jamie Conlan: "There is real intrigue with this fight and Harlem is going to have to dig down to that Eubank name and bringing that to the fore in this fight.

"It is a fantastic bit of match-making from Kalle and Nisse, a real gem of a fight and a fight that can show the true identity of both men.

"This is Harlem's big opportunity to break into the mainstream and there is no better person to do it with then Tyrone McKenna.  Tyrone is coming here to start mayhem."