What a perplexing figure former British middleweight champion Chris Eubank Junior really is. The vocal, seemingly cocksure fighter has, in the past month or so: gone from being on the verge of challenging world middleweight ruler Gennady Golovkin in a £million pound fight (and beating him, according to Eubank Jr and Senior) to being set to defend his British title against the far less known Tommy Langford for a far less substantial payday, to vacating the British title and now having no next fight in sight, at all.
As fans may have read, Eubank Jr suffered an injury to his elbow when sparring with “a 14-stone (200-pound) man.” Vacating the belt so as to concentrate on world level fighters, may be “a blessing in disguise,” Eubank’s official statement reads, as the health of British level fighters have been in “danger” with them fighting Eubank Jr.
Langford, of course, is buying none of it, calling the man he would have challenged next month a “time waster.” So what will Eubank’s next move be? How seriously is the elbow injury going to impact on his future? Will he fight again this year? (unlikely) Is Eubank even in danger of frittering away his promising career?
Promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have both said what a nightmare it can be working with the Eubank duo when attempting to negotiate a fight – is there a danger Eubank will be seen as a man who simply cannot be worked with? Injuries happen in boxing, of course, but this mishap is just the latest strange event in the recent life and career of Eubank Jr. He now has a history of not only being difficult to work with, but of pulling out of fights on a fairly regular basis.
Are we supposed to believe that Eubank Jr really, truthfully, wants that big fight with Golovkin? With 2016 seemingly over for Eubank Jr now as far as fighting in the ring goes, it could be a case of rebuilding and attempting to regain the British public’s trust in 2017.
Warren disappointed by statement published by Chris Eubank Jr
Frank Warren is extremely disappointed to hear of today’s statement published by Chris Eubank Jr.
Due to the fact we are hours away from one of our fighters appearing in a major international event at one of America’s biggest football stadiums, further developments will have to wait until Monday when we will be speaking to the BBBC.
Thereafter we will make a formal statement regarding the situation and subsequently regarding the event.
Although we are disappointed by the Eubank statement, we are not surprised, as the public know full well for themselves, they make a habit of talking up fights but not following through.
They are are also incredibly unpredictable, unprofessional and very difficult to work with.
We are extremely disappointed for the fans who have booked tickets, coaches and hotels. Actions such as this are totally disrespectful to the sport and the fans.
We feel most for Tommy, who has been waiting patiently for his shot at the Lonsdale belt.
The event will be still take place on 22nd October in Cardiff and the changes that will have to be made because of this will be disclosed when we are able to do so.
