Harlem Eubank vs Nurali Erdogan Predictions: Harlem steps out of the Eubank shadows

Harlem Eubank returns this Friday against former French welterweight champion Nurali Erdogan at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle. The super lightweight fight will be screened live on Channel 5 this Friday, November 22. 

Here are my Eubank vs Erdogan predictions ahead of this week-ending war.

Eubank is in the unusual position of living in two shadows. His uncle is the British boxing icon, Chris Eubank. As if that wasn’t enough weight to carry by virtue of Harlem’s famous surname, the emergence over the last decade of cousin Chris Jr. as a boxing force increases the pressure.

Harlem’s father Simon was a boxer too, clashing with the likes of world champion Paul Jones. Meanwhile, his cousin, Sebastian, was a two-fight pro when he passed away in Dubai in 2021. Harlem lost his father last year, too. There is a rich fighting history in this family as well as considerable tragedy.

30-year-old Eubank has made his bones as a solid domestic pro so far. A second-round knockout of the great survivor, Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd, felt like a rite of passage. A wide points victory over Tom Farrell, a long-time British-level measuring stick, was another solid win. 

Eubank enjoyed his biggest career win last time out, stopping Timo Schwarzkopf in 11 rounds. The Brighton man had the ex-EU and EBU External champion down twice and battled to secure a stoppage that has really put him on the map. The WBO Global title that Eubank won on the night hasn’t yet pushed him into the world rankings, but he won’t be far off.

In order to gatecrash the ratings, Eubank has to keep winning. That mission continues on Friday as he takes on Erdogan. The Frenchman has been picked for this fight for good reason and it certainly isn’t because he’s expected to beat Eubank.

Erdogan has had a decent domestic career in France. In 2021 he defeated Romain Nemery for the French welterweight title. Erdogan then lost a narrow majority decision to Sandy Messaoud for the vacant WBC Francophone belt. A further challenge for his old French title ended in another points defeat last year against Yanis Mehah.

Erdogan is coming off a decision loss to unbeaten prospect Faizan Anwar. The 16-3 Frenchman has never been stopped. But after some impressive early displays, you get the idea he could be settling into gatekeeper territory.

This is a low-risk night for Eubank. Erdogan has stopped just one of the 16 men he has defeated. He’s there for a long-time and not necessarily a good time. Eubank will likely rack up the rounds here but should win with ease.

The key element will be doing so in style. Harlem needs to make a noise all his own. Put on a performance of sufficient excitement and quality that the most interesting part of his journey will no longer be his surname. It is time for Eubank to make his own way, starting this Friday.

Harlem Eubank vs Nurali Erdogan Fight Odds

Eubank is an overwhelming 1/25 favourite. Erdogan is marketed at 11/1 while the draw is available at 20/1.

Harlem Eubank vs Nurali Erdogan Full Card

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Harlem Eubank vs Nurali Erdogan Prediction

This should be a comfortable night’s work for Eubank. But comfortable doesn’t net you the big fights. I think the 30-year-old is aware of this and will look to press the advantage down the stretch.

For this reason, I am picking Eubank to become the first fighter to stop Erdogan as a pro. My tip is a Eubank knockout at 13/8.

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