Eubank Jr withraws from mandatory British title fight with Langford
Chris Eubank Jr. has vacated the British middleweight title after withdrawing from next month's mandatory title defence against unbeaten Tommy Langford due to injury.
The 26-year-old from Brighton was due to defend his Lonsdale belt for a second time against Birmingham's Langford in Cardiff on October 22nd, but withdrew from the fight after suffering a "severe injury" in sparring. According to sources, the injury was merely due to a tennis elbow, easily treated with physiotherapy appointments.
World Boxing News reported, "Chris Eubank Jnr. suffered a severe injury sparring against a 14-stone opponent two days ago. The injury was assessed and confirmed by a Doctor on Friday 16th September, who works with the British Boxing Board of Control."
The statement continued, "The severe injury to Chris Jr's elbow follows an ongoing injury which has been a recurring issue for the last 18 months.
"This allows Chris Eubank Jr, and his management, the opportunity to relinquish the title which provides all contenders the right to earn a living and fight amongst their equal calibre of competitors."
This setback for Eubank Jr. comes a few months after he was unable to agree a fight with No.1 middleweight Gennady Golovkin, who instead battled to an exciting fifth-round stoppage win over Kell Brook last Saturday. Eubank Jr appeared to acknowledge the announcement on Twitter, writing the single word, 'gutted', and his father also reiterated the news on Twitter, stating, "@ChrisEubankJr's British Middleweight Championship was officially relinquished yesterday due to injury."
Commonwealth champion Langford declared on Twitter, "Extremely disappointed with Chris Eubank Jr. – timewaster! Total disrespect to the sport! Looking for a way out as soon as I was mandated!
"To everyone asking, I will still be fighting on October 22nd in Cardiff. Will have finalised details on opposition in due course. To the thousands that have bought tickets from me, I will still need your support and still want a big fight on that date and won't disappoint."