HARLEM Eubank got the job done over eight rounds in Newcastle, defeating Nurali Erdogan on points in a scrappy welterweight debut. “Sometimes styles just don’t gel,” understated analyst Barry Jones, 20 seconds before the foul fest ended. The judges handed in scores of 77-73 (Neil Close), 79-70 (Terry O’Connor) and 77-72 (Darren Sarginson), all in favour of Eubank, now unbeaten in 20.

The first task for Eubank was shedding any rust that was still lingering from a one-year-plus layoff. The 31-year-old was last seen 378 days ago, boxing in his native Brighton, stopping Timo Schwarzkopf in 11, but was forced to travel some 300 miles north for his next opportunity.

Sunderland referee Ron Kearney was keen to get on top of any holding offences, dishing out an early double warning. The pair responded by ending up on the canvas in an end-of-round grapple. Eubank got the left hand working to head and body in round two and shipped the odd right hand in the third.

They were back on top of each other in round four. Mr Kearney was back on Eubank’s case as he tried to make an impression on the three scoring judges. Erdogan’s output was increasing as the ref took another moment to scold him for a round six elbow before finally docking a point for the indiscretion.

There were possibly more warnings than punches landed by the close of the seventh as Harlem Eubank exited the round with a cut across the right eye. Erdogan, 16-4 (1 KO), had another point deducted in round eight and Eubank, 20-0 (8 KOs), finally had a point of his own taken off by the fussy official. Harlem looked dejected as the blood dripped across his cheeks.

“Different style tonight at welterweight. A strong guy who wanted to tie up all night,” said Eubank, who dismissed the cut as a hazard of the job. “I felt strong in there. The grabbing made it difficult, but I was getting the cleaner work in. Nisse and Kalle are setting up a big year for 2025.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland blamed Erdogan for the holding and said the Frenchman belonged in an MMA match. Nisse promised an absolutely huge year for Harlem, including a homecoming bout in Brighton featuring a big-name, step-up opponent.