Never short of a verbal blow, Billy Joe Saunders believes old enemy Chris Eubank Jr. lacks the ‘minerals’ and ability to ever make it to the pinnacle of boxing.
The WBO super-middleweight champion has said he has no interest in a Eubank rematch over six years since pipping the Brighton man on a split decision.
At the Excel Arena back in November 2014, Saunders cantered to an early points lead with his cultured boxing before a lack of conditioning saw him gas late allowing a slow-burning Eubank to narrow the gap on the cards.
The duo have engaged in a running feud ever since, but while Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) has won world title belts at 160lbs and 168lbs Eubank (29-2, 22 KOs) is yet to emulate that success despite notable wins over James DeGale, Avni Yildirim and Arthur Abraham. The Hatfield southpaw naturally believes the breakthrough will never happen for his bitter rival.
“He will never be a champion because he hasn’t got the minerals,” Saunders told The Sun. “You have to be a special type of creature and a bit of a lunatic to want to get in the ring and start giving it and taking – and enjoying it.
“When you get someone like him, who has had the nice upbringing, he has been taught to hold his hands up but he doesn’t have that venom in him. He is not good at all.
“I am going to completely dismiss him and move on. I don’t rate Eubank Jr. at world level, I just want to completely dismiss him.”