Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr has been hotly linked to an incredible showdown with the arguable ‘face of boxing’, Canelo Alvarez, in recent weeks but instead the Mexican has taken a different route. As Eubank gears up for an alternate opponent of his own, he has maintained his confidence that he and the four-division world champion could meet next year but added that the fight must take place on his terms.
Despite his global reputation, Chris Eubank Jr is yet to win a world title and after Kelle Sauerland and Wasserman Boxing advised him to fight IBO title-holder Etinosa Oliha, Eubank’s relationship with his promoter fell apart.
Instead, Eubank has linked up with BOXXER and Ben Shalom and shortly after his signature, rumours began to swirl that the 34-year-old could face one of the most recognisable boxers of the 21st century in Canelo Alvarez.
However, Alvarez opted to fight New York’s Edgar Berlanga, whilst Eubank is expected to make his BOXXER debut within the next couple of months, although the opponent is yet to be named or even rumoured.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Eubank Jr. explained why the Canelo clash fell apart, but remained positive about the prospect of a meeting with the pound-for-pound superstar next year.
“We were in serious negotiations. It was kind of sprung on me at the last minute, that was obviously the tactic that they went for, trying to offer me the fight and push it as if I have to take it now [or never].
“I have never been the type to be forced into everything, if the numbers are not right, if the business is not right, if the timing is not right, the fight is not going to happen. I am taking a fight to win the fight, not to make a quick buck, so negotiations didn’t come to fruition on that fight.
“I know that the fight can still happen, it still will be made. There are only a few guys that Canelo can fight, that the public want to see, so I don’t need to rush into that, I don’t need to be bullied and pushed into a fight where the terms are very unfavourable to me. So, we will wait. I think that May next year that fight can happen.”
Canelo’s profile as a pay-per-view draw has meant that he has never fought outside of the U.S.A or Mexico in his 65 fights to date, yet Eubank went on to add that any such contest is likely to take place outside of North America, whether that be in the United Kingdom or Saudi Arabia.
“I have been told that his team want him to fight in the U.K. and he is saying that he has always wanted to come to the U.K. to fight. It would be amazing if we could make that happen. The Saudi’s may have other plans, but we will see and I think that next year, for sure that fight can happen.”
Canelo-Berlanga will take place on September 14th, topping a bill that features two former opponents of the unified super-middleweight champion, and is available to watch live on Amazon Prime Video Pay-Per-View.
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