Chris Eubank Jr’s Future After Loss to Conor Benn
Following a disappointing loss to Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr’s promoter is optimistic about his boxer’s future, indicating that retirement is not on the horizon. Ben Shalom, the head of Boxxer, alluded to unspecified underlying factors that may have affected Eubank Jr’s recent performance.
Recent Fight Overview
On November 15, during a rematch held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Eubank Jr faced a decisive defeat, being outpointed by Benn and suffering two knockdowns in the final round. This loss followed their initial bout seven months prior, where Eubank Jr secured a points victory over Benn in the same venue.
Performance and Challenges
At 36 years old, Eubank Jr appeared less than his best throughout the fight, suggesting afterward that he had endured significant challenges in the lead-up to the match. Despite his evident struggles, he refrained from providing details about the issues that hindered his training and urged Shalom to maintain discretion on those matters during the post-fight discussions.
Promoter’s Confidence
In an interview with The Ring magazine, Shalom expressed his confidence that Eubank Jr will return to the ring, stating, “It’s not about if but when he will fight again.”
He emphasized that the boxer needs the necessary time to recuperate before stepping back into competition, highlighting that during the rematch, Eubank Jr could only throw around 30 percent of his punches compared to his first confrontation with Benn. Shalom shared his belief that something within Eubank Jr was amiss, stating, “There are reasons for that, that aren’t my place to even talk about.” He reassured fans that the fighter’s spirit remains intact, noting Eubank Jr’s motivation to return to the sport.
Future Match Considerations
While Benn, age 29, seems uninterested in a third match against Eubank Jr, citing a desire to move back to the welterweight division for higher stakes fights, Eubank Jr appears more willing to explore that option. Shalom remarked, “That was not Chris Eubank Jr in the ring that night… It’s crucial that he enters his next fight fully prepared, rather than at partial capacity.”
Weight Class Adjustments
The promoter reflected on the potential impact of weight class adjustments, suggesting that Eubank Jr might benefit from competing at super-middleweight moving forward. The first bout saw Eubank Jr face challenges with the middleweight limit, which was a major issue pre-fight, especially after his father, the legendary Chris Eubank Sr, criticized the imposition on his son to cut weight while Benn moved up.
Historically, Eubank Jr has fought primarily at middleweight, but he does have experience in the super-middleweight division. Additionally, Eubank Sr has been significantly more involved during the rematch’s build-up, unlike his surprise appearance prior to the first fight.
