Chris Eubank Jr has been at the forefront of British boxing for almost a decade now, providing a number of memorable nights but still yet to claim a world title from any of the four major sanctioning bodies. After 11-months away from the ring, Eubank’s new promoter has unveiled details of the 34-year-old middleweight’s return to the ring.
After suffering a first career knockout defeat to Liam Smith in January last year, Eubank was able to level the scores with a stoppage defeat of his own against the Liverpudlian in September.
Since then, Eubank has been linked with a plethora of names spanning all the way from Etinosa Oliha to Canelo Alvarez but the suggestion of fighting IBO champion Oliha appeared the lead to a breakdown in relationship between Eubank Jr and his then promoter, Kalle Sauerland.
Instead, Eubank has made the switch to sign with BOXXER and Ben Shalom, where rumours of a showdown with Canelo Alvarez began to pick up momentum – only for Canelo to opt for a clash with undefeated New Yorker Edgar Berlanga.
Speaking to iFL TV, Shalom revealed plans for Eubank to return within a couple of months and admitted that he is hopeful of landing his man a world title shot, as well as some of the biggest names in the game.
“We have just decided [who Eubank Jr.’s next opponent will be], we have just agreed a deal.
“I can’t [reveal who it is] because there are other parties involved, I’m not doing it. I’m just delighted, look Chris Eubank Jr. is in the top three names, in my opinion, in the U.K. We are boxing purists, we love it, we follow it and everyone has got an opinion, but he is one of the few fighters that your Mum knows, your girlfriend knows, the casual fan knows.
“He is casual-fan friendly and we need them in the sport. We have got a few now, we have got Ben Whittaker crossing over now like never before but Chris Eubank Jr. is a huge name and he is a standout pay-per-view star, he has carried pay-per-views by himself before – there is not many fighters that can do that.
“We are delighted to have him, delighted to make some noise with him, delighted to make the big fights with him and hopefully we can win a world title.
“End of September / early October, no locations given. All will be revealed soon, he has been out of the ring since last September so we are just looking forward to getting his career going and hopefully he achieves what he wants to achieve.”
At present, the middleweight landscape is one that Eubank Jr. could take advantage of, with the perception that the 160lb division is unusually weak aside from unified IBF & WBO title-holder Zhanibek Alimkhanuly.
As for the other belts, Carlos Adames is a well-respected WBC champion but has not had the breakthrough win to show his true ability, whilst 41-year-old Erislandy Lara holds the WBA belt – although he faces Danny Garcia in September.
Eubank Jr. is ranked within the top seven with all four sanctioning bodies but is ranked highest with the WBC (#3), possibly indicating that Adames could be in the firing line, especially given the Dominican was reportedly willing to travel to the U.K. to face Nathan Heaney earlier this year.
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