HARLEM EUBANK will fight to honor his cousin's memory, and help build for his future.
Last summer, the Brighton boxing family was shaken when Chris Eubank Sr., a british ring legend and middleweight heir, died in Dubai from a sudden heart attack.
Harlem, a super-lightweight fighter, was also affected by the tragic death. The pair had a shared love for martial arts as children and continued to bond over their mutual interests in alternative lifestyles, plant-based diets and spirituality.
Harlem, who had a great 2020 with back-to-back 50-50 wins against rival prospects, now holds Raheem's godfather duty very dear.
He lit up a grey and drizzled Brighton to discuss Seb and the next Eubank generation that he will mould.
Harlem said that losing Seb was hard, as he was a great person. "We were very close and shared a bond over our passions, which was a little outside of the mainstream.
"Seb was an excellent teacher, so I learned a lot and I'm sure Chris too.
"We used to laugh at the fact that Chris didn't eat plant-based food, but we would still find vegan protein or super-foods hidden behind his steaks and lobsters.
"We all have wonderful memories of Seb. We need to ensure Rahem in Dubai learns everything about him. I will be going out as often as possible and taking my godfather duties very seriously.
"Grief can strike people in waves, and everyone deals with it differently. Chris won his next fight and I was proud of him. We now move on to work together to raise Raheem's profile and honor Seb.
Harlem, 27 years old, takes on Chris, 32, for his first undercard match in his 12-0 career. It will be live on Sky Sports.
After boosting his ratings, it is a big leap in his profile and platform. His recent wins in Latvia & Yorkshire were not televised in the UK.
Harlem's name is now in the news after Chris' opponent Liam Williams moved in to his gym to train under coach Adam Booth.
Eubank Jr was furious that his cousin was placed in such an awkward position, but Harlem manages it with the maturity that will assist Raheem as he navigates through life.
He stated that Adam had told him it almost as if it were a joke, but it became a reality and he needed to tell me.
It was awkward, but I said that I wanted our training schedules to be aligned so we didn't cross paths in the gym.
"I didn’t want to stop anyone from earning a living or doing their jobs and I wanted to be professional. So I made it clear that our times had to be adjusted because Chris is my family.
"I don't like confrontation, but I would train together in a gym environment to build camaraderie among fighters. That wouldn't be wrong."
"A photo or video of Liam and me training together in the gym could be misinterpreted."
Harlem's win behind closed doors - against an old rival, who beat him twice in amateurs, and an unbeaten threat on social media – catapulted Harlem into the British top-10 for the 10th division.
He refuses to use his social media accounts or famous name to trash talk or chase down opponents.
He said, "That's not me. That side of boxing and that kind of trash talk doesn't suit my character."
"I was a latecomer to the sport and have been slowly building my foundations and skills to ensure that I am ready for the opportunities that come.
"That's what happened in my last fights. My critics and doubters weren't as loud, but I still want perfection. A lot of fighters rush into making mistakes, and that's not something I want to do.
"Boxing on Chris' Undercard for the First Time is an accomplishment I am proud of, and I will take this opportunity with both my hands.
"But I think I'm still a few years away from fulfilling all my potential and winning the world title."
Harlem Eubank was sponsored by ROC LTD Construction, New Era Metals, and Raw Sport Nutrition.
