Chris Eubank Sr. wants his son to return to super-middleweight
Former two-division world champion, Chris Eubank, has admitted that there is only one possible opponent that his son, Chris Jr., can face in order to earn the respect of boxing fans around the globe, and told of his belief that Eubank Jr would need him by his side if he is pull off what would be a major scalp.
Eubank Sr. conquered both the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions in the 1990’s, famously defeating fellow Brits Nigel Benn and Michael Watson in successful title challenges.
The stylish Londoner made 14 defences of the WBO 168lb title and maintained his undefeated record up until his 44th bout, where lost to Ireland’s Steve Collins.
Now 57, Eubank is encouraging his son to make a return to super-middleweight after a run of six fights down at middleweight.
In an interview with talkSPORT, the British boxing legend suggested a clash against undisputed super-middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez, adding that his son could upset the odds, but only if his father was in his corner.
“Canelo is the only person he’s gonna be able to fight now to redeem any type of respect from the fighting public.
“Real fighters, real boxing people.”
“I know how you win respect, it’s not [by] beating a Liam Smith.
“Junior, this is what my view is – your saving grace is going to be Canelo.
“You’re never gonna get back down to 160lbs, I won’t allow that to happen anyway.
“You’re a 168lbs fighter, Canelo is your way to win respect and you cannot beat him, not Canelo.
“The only way you can beat him is if daddy is next to you. That’s it.”
Still, Eubank Jr. has been unable to land a recognised world title thus far, and at 34-years-old the clock may be ticking. It seemed that ‘Next Gen’ would meet Janibek Alimkhanuly for the unified 160lb title at one point, although talk of that clash has quietened down in recent weeks, likely due to reasons suggested by his father.