By: Hans Themistode
Chris Eubank Jr did not have high expectations. The former middleweight interim player donned a dapper and relaxed fit into his seat over the weekend at Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom.
Like many, Eubank Jr was curious to see how the long-awaited confrontation between Kell Brook and Amir Khan would play out. Considering they’re both 35 and no longer competing for the championship, Brook didn’t expect much.
However, after six rounds of dominating action, Eubank Jr shook his head in approval. Brook repeatedly chastised Khan until referee Victor Loughlin was forced to intervene and ordered their contest to be halted.
In Eubank Jr.’s opinion, Brook still had plenty left in the gas tank. Now, after that admission, Eubank Jr is wondering how their match will turn out.
“I won’t lie, I didn’t expect that performance from Kell,” Eubank Jr told Sky Sports Boxing. “Domination from round one until it’s over. He’s proven that he’s still spiced up. Now I want to see how bitter he can be with me. I am not Amir Khan”.
After Brook’s victory over Khan, the 147-pound belt has found his name on the lips of several notable boxers. In addition to Eubank Jr., both Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Conor Benn both expressed a desire to face him. But while matches against the two welterweight contenders may garner interest, Eubank Jr believes his confrontation with Brook offers more explosiveness and real bad blood.
Eubank Jr’s biggest problem. with Brook stemming from a 2016 match against Gennadiy Golovkin. Brook bravely rose to two full weight classes to challenge the then undefeated Golovkin for his middleweight title. Although many praised Brook for his willingness to bring his unbeaten record to the fore, Eubank Jr was swayed by the entire event.
For several years in a row, Eubank Jr called for a duel with Golovkin. And while he remained hopeful that they would be able to go head to head in the ring, Eubank Jr directly blamed Brook for robbing Golovkin’s fight right from under his nose.
“We have history, he was the reason I didn’t fight Golovkin all those years ago. I never forgave him for that. I am always against him. That’s my fight. ”
Even with both Brook and Eubank Jr competing in two weight classes, Brook recently called for his much larger opponent to drop to 155 pounds. On the other hand, Eubank Jr. do not want such a move.
While it’s unclear who will ultimately win the head-to-head battle, Eubank Jr believes he holds most, if not all, of the negotiating power. As the 160-pound candidate considers Brook’s current options, he has a rhetorical question for his longtime opponent.
“Who else could he go see? There is no one else out there for him. ”
