Eubank used Albion release to fuel boxing career

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Former academy player turned pro boxer reflects on his time with the club in latest podcast.

Charlie Hanson

2023-10-31T06:00:00Z

Harlem Eubank was our most recent guest on the Official Brighton & Hove Albion Podcast.

Professional boxer and former Albion academy player Harlem Eubank has said that the blow of being released as a 16-year-old proved to be the making of his boxing career.

Harlem, who was speaking on the latest episode of the Official Brighton & Hove Albion Podcast, is the son of former professional boxer Simon Eubank and the nephew of former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight world champion Chris Eubank.

During his teenage years, Harlem was a part of the Albion academy and saw his life away from boxing.

But following his release, he had to find something to pick himself up from the disappointment.

“When I was released my whole world came crumbling down," Harlem said. "You’ve been training three days a week, playing at the weekend and in between that you’re practicing, all you knew was football. Everything was focused on becoming a professional footballer, that was the ambition.

“So your concept of your life to that point becomes questioned, it falls apart. You have to think ‘what am I going to do now?’ and ‘is this is it?’, but it wasn’t. It was a make or break point and ended up steering my life in a different direction.”

It wasn’t plain sailing for the 30-year-old, with his surname almost putting a target on his back.

“I had to rebuild slowly. At the age of 17,18 I played for Lewes and then after that I didn’t have my passion for playing anymore, I didn’t have the drive. I needed to try something new. I thought I would give boxing a go.

“I remember the first day of going into the gym and being punched in the face and thinking ‘this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done!’ Then there’s a mission to try and make it a bit easier, learning every day.

Harlem Eubank was our half-time guest against Fulham.

“When you get into football, especially at grassroots level, you can start off pretty well and develop without getting the harsh reality of shots to the head! I started boxing at 18, so you’re not taking shots off kids, you’re taking shots and sparring with grown men. Also, you’ve got the last name of Eubank and you’re trying to figure this thing out.

“That’s why I’ve always seen it as a difficult path, but one that has sort of forced me to where I am now.”

Being a Eubank certainly came with its perks though.

“My family always gave me advice and support and ways to try and handle the pressure. But you’ve got to learn a lot of it through experience.

“It’s easy to say something, but when you’re experiencing the pressures and the fact that everyone brings 110% against you because of the name you have to take it in your stride. They were always there to give me that support, but a lot of the things I have had to learn first-hand.”