Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has scoffed at the idea of Chris Eubank Jr being a potential opponent for super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez, declaring that he is ‘running scared’ of someone else.
Pound-for-pound star Canelo is yet to announce his next opponent, after confirming that he will return to the ring in May for his annual Cinco de Mayo weekend fight.
While the Mexican sensation still weighs up his options, a name that has been mentioned is Eubank Jr, who last time out gained revenge by stopping Liam Smith in their rematch in September.
Hearn has laughed off those suggestions though whilst speaking to Boxing Social, believing that the Brit is below Canelo’s pay grade and also avoiding another man.
“Look, Canelo wants so much money – you can’t generate that to fight Eubank Jr. And what is Chris Eubank Jr?
“He’s beaten a light middleweight in Liam Smith, he’s just got knocked out by a light middleweight, he’s running scared from Conor Benn who’s a welterweight, and you want him to jump to 168 [lbs] to fight Canelo Alvarez. No chance.”
Canelo’s last bout saw him defeat Jermell Charlo, earning a unanimous decision win in September. Names set to be in the mix for his return in May are Jermell’s brother Jermall Charlo, along with Jaime Munguia, David Benavidez, Terence Crawford and Edgar Berlanga.
As for Eubank Jr, other fighters that he has been linked with for his next fight include Kell Brook, unified middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, and IBO 160lb title-holder Etinosa Oliha.