Former world title challenger Matvey Korobov says Chris Eubank Jr. wasn’t interested in a rematch after their injury truncated fight one year ago.
In December 2019, Korobov (28-3-1, 14 KOs) started brightly before sustaining a shoulder injury in the second round that handed Eubank victory and the WBA interim title at 160lbs.
The Russian pursued a return to no avail and instead faces fellow fringe contender Ronald Ellis (17-1-2, 11 KOs and 1 NC) at the Mohegan Sun Casino on Saturday night.
“After a couple of months of healing, my manager tried to get the rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. but we got no answer and had to move on to get back in the ring,” said Korobov, who gave WBC champion Jermall Charlo a stiff test in December 2018.
“Ronald Ellis was the first name they brought up and I told them, ‘Yes,’ right away. I want a rematch with [Chris] Eubank Jr. but I guess it will never happen. We’re on to a big fight against Ellis on Saturday.
“It’s been exactly one year since my last fight. My shoulder feels good and my preparation went well. I am in the best shape I can be for this fight. I didn’t watch a lot of film, but I studied enough to set my preparations for Saturday night. I was more focused on the work that I needed to do in the gym to get myself ready.”
Ellis, who hails from Lynn, Massachusetts, feels victory will enable him to gatecrash the middleweight world title picture.
“Korobov is a slick boxer and he’s got a lot of experience, but this fight is about me getting punches in bunches. If I stay on him, it’s going to be hard for him to set up anything,” said Ellis. “It’s been a year since his shoulder injury, but he’s on the older side now so I doubt he’s fully recovered. We’re going to test that.
“My next fight after this is going to be big. That’s what I am using this fight for. He is thinking he’s going to win and try to get a rematch with Jermall Charlo. I am using it for the same exact thing except it’s not a rematch, it will be my first time against the big guys. I think I deserve to be there and I think this fight is going to be my showcase.”
Korobov-Ellis will air on Boxnation in the UK and Showtime in the US (Saturday at 9pm ET/6pm PT).
Main image: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME.