Harlem Eubank vs. David Papot press conference quotes and fight prediction

Harlem Eubank (22-1, 9 KOs) will soon face David Papot (30-1-1, 5 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight contest.

Their bout headlines a MF Pro and Neilson Boxing card at the Copper Box Arena in London, England. Fight fans around the world can catch the action live on DAZN.

Both men spoke at a press conference ahead of their July 18 clash. Below is some of what they had to say.

Harlem Eubank vs. David Papot press conference quotes

Harlem Eubank

“No doubt [I have to put on a great performance],” said Eubank. “I feel like this is my first opportunity coming into the sport to put myself in a position to become a world champion. Every time I go in there, it’s fight or flight. Every time I go in there with that pressure to come out victorious and set up the bigger fights to come, but I’m not looking past David Papot. He’s a world championship level fighter. This is my first opportunity in the sport to place myself in position to become a world champion and that was the dream that I had coming into the sport. It’s looming right in front of us now. Saturday night, I’m focused and ready for the challenge ahead.”

“This is it. This is the type of guy you have to beat to earn your place at the table to become a world champion. There’s been nothing handed to me. Nothing gifted to me. I’ve had to earn it every fight and this right here is the type of fight, the level of fight, where you earn your place at the table and I’m prepared to do that.”

David Papot

“Harlem wants to become world champ,” said Papot through an interpreter. “It’s normal ambition in boxing. [Me] too. [I] want to become world champ. [I] was close to [earning a world title shot when I fought Liam Paro]…[I’m] sure it’ll be a magnificent fight against Harlem. Harlem will have a lot of pressure because it’s a fight at home. First main event on DAZN, first fight in London. Harlem has everything to lose, [I] have everything to win. Harlem has a big name, Eubank. When your name is Eubank, main event on DAZN, you have to fight. You can’t run against a French fighter with a white beard. It’s not possible. You have to come to fight. Harlem has to make the perfect fight. [I] will do [what it takes] to make that impossible.”

Fight prediction

From Big Fight Weekend’s Ricky Carroll: Eubank possesses slick footwork and picks his punches well. He very rarely looks flustered when under pressure, and when he stays composed as he did against Tyrone McKenna, he’s at his best. He has a good gas tank, often staying busy in the later rounds.

Papot will look to utilise his southpaw lead hand to give Eubank problems. The Frenchman may not be a big puncher, but he’s technically sound and more than capable of operating at a high level. It’s a clash of styles fight, with Papot the more safety-first fighter, meaning Eubank will need to get inside that southpaw lead hand to let his own shots off. We are backing Eubank to win a competitive unanimous/majority decision.

Full press conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of DAZN.

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