Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna Preview
Tyrone McKenna looks to string back-to-back wins for the first time since 2020. The undefeated Harlem Eubank faces McKenna on March 8th for the IBF intercontinental welterweight title. Eubank made his debut at welterweight in November and is now looking to make a name for himself in the division.
McKenna has struggled to piece together wins in recent years and enters this fight with two losses in his previous three bouts. Can the Mighty Celt begin a resurgence at the Brighton Centre, or will Eubank take another giant career leap in front of a hometown crowd?
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna Predictions
Fight Prediction: Harlem Eubank via decision
Harlem Eubank has enjoyed a steady rise in the super lightweight division. He is known for his smooth technical boxing, fast reflexes, and a style that focuses on outboxing his opponents rather than engaging in a war of attrition. Eubank’s movement is quick and calculated. He uses his footwork to stay out of range while landing sharp, clean shots. His key to victory will be his ability to control the distance, frustrate McKenna, and avoid the inside brawl. The 31-year-old looks ready to take a step forward in his career, and our boxing prediction is for the undefeated fighter to continue his streak at the Brighton Centre.
Tyrone McKenna is an aggressive and physical fighter. Known for his relentless pressure and impressive work rate, the 34-year-old from Belfast thrives in close-range exchanges, where he can unleash his powerful shots. McKenna’s ability to swarm his opponents and force them into uncomfortable positions is one of his key strengths. He’ll look to cut the ring off and close the distance early, forcing Eubank into a brawl. While McKenna may not have the same technical finesse as his opponent, his durability and high-output boxing could prove dangerous, especially if Eubank cannot keep him at bay. However, this is the toughest fight of his career so far.
https://twitter.com/SauerlandBros/status/1895055450225418593
The key to victory for Eubank will be maintaining his distance. He must use his speed and accuracy to pick McKenna off from the outside. Eubank will need to avoid being trapped against the ropes, where McKenna’s aggression could become too much to handle. The Brit has shown glimpses of genuine quality in previous fights, and if he can stay disciplined, he should be able to outpoint McKenna in the later rounds.
Eubank’s technical skills and ability to box on the move give him the edge in this contest. If he can avoid McKenna’s pressure and maintain control of the tempo, he should have enough in his arsenal to win on points or even secure a stoppage late in the fight as McKenna’s energy fades. He has superior footwork and excellent conditioning that will see him through the mid-latter rounds of this fight.
Neither fighter is known for their knockout ability, but Eubank has a slight power advantage. He has won 40% of his fights via knockout while McKenna has finished just 29.17% of his. The Mighty Celt has also been knocked out twice in his career. Eubank can test his chin in this bout and, while he will want to avoid a firefight, is the more dangerous power puncher.
https://twitter.com/WassermanBoxing/status/1891854353306149274
McKenna‘s best chance lies in closing the gap quickly, neutralising Eubank’s footwork, and making it a scrap in the pocket. The more he can pressure Eubank and land on the inside, the more likely he is to force an opening for a stoppage or at least win the rounds through sheer work rate. McKenna’s chin has been tested before, but his toughness and resilience make him a dangerous opponent for anyone who can’t manage to keep him at a distance. McKenna’s best chance for victory would be to wear Eubank down and make it a battle of attrition.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna Fight Outcome
Eubank’s superior technique and speed make him the favourite in this matchup. While McKenna’s pressure and work rate will certainly test Eubank, the younger fighter’s ability to box on the move and avoid being trapped will be key. Eubank will probably outpoint McKenna and could even secure a stoppage if McKenna’s aggression leads him into dangerous positions late in the fight. However, he must be wary of McKenna’s ability in firefights. We saw last time out how dangerous he becomes when fighting in a phonebox.
McKenna has to use his size advantage to impose himself upon Eubank and stay in his face. However, Eubank is excellent at staying out of range and fighting behind his jab. The Mighty Celt does not have the power that would make him hesitant to step in. Eubank will pick McKenna off from the outside with his speed and footwork.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna Betting Tips
Harlem Eubank is a considerable favourite for this fight. He is undefeated in his career, and winning the IBF inter-continental title would be a big step forward for the Englishman. Eubank wants to follow in his family’s footsteps and a victory here will catapult him into contention for a world title down the line. A bet on Harlem Eubank is worth 2/7.
Tyrone McKenna is an underdog in this fight, but make no mistake, he can cause an upset. He will be one of the most experienced fighters that Eubank has stepped in the ring with and that is an area he has the edge in, having fought in 10 more bouts. McKenna is worth 23/10 with our online bookmaker.
https://twitter.com/WassermanBoxing/status/1892904059494924642
Method of Victory
The most likely outcome of this fight is a decision victory. Both men have single-figure knockout wins in their respective careers and McKenna has fought men with better KO records and won. However, the Irishman’s age and experience could catch up with him here.
Eubank will be determined to put a stamp on this victory, fighting in his hometown for a title, and he can take advantage of a chin that has already been tested. Anyone betting on boxing should back Eubank to win via KO/TKO.
Round Betting and Grouped Round Betting
Eubank has finished two of his previous three fights via KO/TKO. Both victories came in the second to last round, highlighting his conditioning and how dangerous he is in late rounds. Additionally, McKenna has never fought in a 12-rounder while Eubank won his WBO global title in the 11th round of a 12-round fight. That experience can be a big difference-maker here.
The boxing betting markets will offer big odds on Eubank winning in the 11th round, and that may be worth a small wager. Alternatively, we like a bet on Eubank to win in rounds 10-12, shortening the odds but increasing the margin for victory.
Harlem Eubank vs Tyrone McKenna Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Tyrone McKenna made his professional debut in 2012. The Mighty Celt went undefeated for six years, racking up a 17-0 record, before being defeated by Jack Catterall in 2018. McKenna had several excellent performances in his career but has often fallen short when taking a step forward. He enters this fight having lost three of his previous five fights, including back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.
However, the Irishman bounced back in his most recent fight. He stepped across from Dylan Moran in a huge All-Irish bout. McKenna knocked Moran down in the first round and again in the second before securing the TKO victory later that same round, the seventh of his career. He enters this fight with a record of 24-5-1 (seven KOs).
McKenna is a towering figure in his weight class, standing at 6’1”. He uses his size to impose on his opponents, pressuring them and landing on the inside. His strong jab helps push opponents into corners and against the ropes, where he can unleash power punches.
Harlem Eubank made his professional debut in 2017. He began his career under the tutelage of his uncle, former two-weight world champion and one of Britain’s best boxers of all time, Chris Eubank. The 31-year-old has risen through the ranks steadily and made his first leap in November 2023 when he defeated WBO Timo Schwarzkopf for the Global super lightweight championship with an impressive TKO.
His most recent fight came in November 2024 when he faced Nurali Erdogan in his welterweight debut. The bout was scrappy with both fighters being deducted a point and Eubank getting cut above his eye after a clash of heads. All three judges saw it decisively for Eubank, scoring the contest 77-73, 79-70 and 77-72.
The Englishman will have a significant size disadvantage in this fight, standing five inches shorter than his opponent at 5’8”. However, what he lacks in size he makes up for in speed and technique. Eubank is excellent at fighting on the outside. That will serve him well in a fight where his opponent will try to cut off the ring with his size. He enters this fight with an unblemished record of 20-0 (eight KOs).
