Billy Joe Saunders has weighed in on Eubank Jr’s stoppage loss to Liam Smith last month, and believes ‘Next Gen’ made a grave error by dragging himself down to the middleweight limit.
Eubank was sensationally stopped in just four rounds by Smith in front of a packed out Manchester Arena on January 21, the first time he has been defeated inside the distance as a professional.
And long time rival Saunders told iFL TV that he believes Eubank thinking the weight being at 160lb would be an advantage to him was “silly.”
“Eubank thinking coming down to 160 was an advantage to him was silly to think. He doesn’t know the game if he thought that, he clearly doesn’t know the game.”
“33 years old making 160? Pffft – forget about it!”
Saunders and Eubank have had a bitter rivalry ever since their British title fight back in 2014, when the Hatfield southpaw squeezed out a decision win over Jr at the Excel Arena.
A rematch has long been clamoured for, however Saunders claims to have no interest in a second matchup as he looks set to return the ring later this year.
The former two weight world champion been out of action since a stoppage loss to pound for pound star Canelo Alvarez back in 2021, and is reportedly interested in fights with the likes of Liam Smith, Callum Smith and Demetrius Andrade.
As for Eubank, it was confirmed last week that he had decided to activate a rematch clause and take on Smith again, with the fight expected to land in May at the Manchester Arena once again.
Some had expected Eubank to revisit the Conor Benn fight, however there has still been no conclusion to the young welterweight’s performance enhancing drugs scandal.