Chris Eubank Jr says he needs to be active to fight Canelo Alvarez – the problem is the Brighton boxer has never been active enough.
This week the son of the two-weight world champion was back in the UK this week and talking up his new deal with Boxxer. But it comes after he turned down a lucrative offer to take on Mexican icon Alvarez in September.
The financials were not right which – as we are not privy to the details – is a fair argument if he didn’t feel the numbers lined up correctly. But while the claim that he needs to be more active is also a fair one given you must be at your best to take on such a fierce opponent as Canelo, when does Eubank ever consider himself active?
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Not since 2017 has he ever had more than two fights in the same calendar year. Of course some of the biggest stars in the sport don’t usually box more than twice in 12 months but Eubank was 27 back then and nowhere near that status.
Now he’s 34 and we haven’t seen him fight since he got revenge against Liam Smith 11 months ago. Playing poker and partying in Las Vegas has been higher up his agenda. Let’s not turn our noses up at that. It sounds like a wonderful lifestyle if you enjoy Sin City.
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But for a guy at his age on the back of a big win when he’s claiming he should be fighting for world titles? Eubank Jr needed to capitalise on the win over Smith. His name will always get attention but he’s never quite had the brilliance of his father in the ring.
Yet you often wonder what would happen if he was more active and improving in the gym regularly rather than just floating around the world enjoying life. He’s not a drinker so he does keep in shape with training sessions between the parties but it is never the same.
Eubank Jr has a new deal with the promoter and is now promising to get active so he can land the Canelo money fight in May. But opportunities to face the superstars of the sport don’t always come back around. He missed out on the chance this time and there’s no guarantee it will come again.
Eubank Jr has flattered to deceive throughout his career. There’s little chance he could beat Canelo even if he had five fights in preparation. Where he goes now is going to be interesting, but time is not on his side.