Harlem Eubank has voiced his preference for his cousin, Chris Eubank Jr, to seek a legacy-defining bout against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez rather than revisiting his rivalry with Conor Benn. Harlem, an undefeated welterweight, emphasized that if Eubank Jr does face Benn again, the significant weight discrepancy between the two must be addressed.

Eubank Jr previously defeated Benn in a grudge match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, more than two years after their original 2022 bout was canceled due to Benn's failed drug tests. Although a two-fight deal was in place, Harlem is uncertain about the likelihood of a rematch.

"There's obviously a lot of money there for it, so potentially," Harlem told BBC Sport. "But Chris is 35 now and I'd like to see him take the Canelo fight and sail into the sunset."

Harlem also criticized the weight stipulations that surrounded the first fight. Eubank Jr, naturally the bigger man, appeared drained during fight week and was restricted by a rehydration clause, which limited weight gain post-weigh-in. He was fined £375,000 for missing the initial weigh-in by just 0.05lb, though he successfully made weight at a second check-in.

"Weight games should never be appropriate in a sport like boxing," Harlem added. "People can get hurt, people can be legally damaged. Trying to weaken an opponent with rehydration clauses and these types of things should be eradicated from the sport."

Eubank Jr's victory over Benn settled a feud more than three decades in the making, sparked by their fathers' famous rivalry in the 1990s. The bout followed Benn's two failed drug tests, which led to a lengthy investigation. Benn has always denied intentional doping and had his suspension lifted in November 2024.

Harlem, who will challenge Jack Catterall in Manchester on 5 July, believes Catterall is on a different level compared to Benn. "He [Benn] lost to Jr by a wide margin in an entertaining fight," he said. "I gave him props for going the distance and continuing the battle, but in terms of boxing, my next fight is a whole different level."

Harlem's upcoming fight against Catterall is seen as a significant step up, with Catterall having operated at world level for many years. This bout is expected to showcase a higher caliber of boxing, setting the stage for Eubank Jr's potential clash with Canelo Alvarez in 2026.