Eubank Jr. Set For Jez Wilson AND Billy Joe Saunders

By Terence Dooley

Chris Eubank Jr. appeared at a press conference in London earlier Thursday to discuss his October 25 fight versus Jez Wilson, as well as his pending November 29 grudge match meeting with Billy Joe Saunders.

Eubank Jr. (17-0, 12KOs) will fight Wilson (11-2-1, 7KOs) over eight rounds at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, with an injury-free win paving the way for a showdown with Saunders for the EBU middleweight title at London's ExCel Arena.    

The Saunders-Eubank clash is the chief support to the heavyweight title eliminator between Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora, in a rematch to their July '11 clash when both were still undefeated prospects. Both fights on the Nov. 29 bill have generated a lot of public interest and is already living up to its "Bad Blood" moniker due to a spiky build-up—Saunders, 20-0 (11), has spoken openly about his dislike for Eubank, who failed to show for their initial press conference and waited for a few weeks before signing his side of the contract.

Indeed, Saunders joined Thursday’s press conference via Skype to listen to his rival.

“It's going to be beautiful to be able to take the belts home with me on the 29th November,” stated Eubank Jr. when discussing the Saunders clash. “This has captured the public interest—a rivalry like this is what every fighter dreams of.”

“The best British, Commonwealth and European Middleweight will be confirmed on Nov 29th—I can't wait for this fight,” added promoter Frank Warren. 

Chris Eubank Sr. was as bullish as his son.  The former two-time world titlist—having won WBO crowns at middleweight and super middleweight, respectively—told the crowd that: “We are not running away from Saunders, we are running to him.”

Saunders has been imploring Eubank Jr. to drop the Wilson fight. However, the 25-year old second generation boxer is keen to sharpen his tools and is moving forward with the October date despite his rival’s concerns. Indeed, Saunders, also 25, offered to pay Eubank £20,000 if he ditches the Wilson date. 

Wilson is now in the unenviable position of being a potential spanner in the works. The 35-year-old was on a run of five wins before losing to John Ryder by ninth-round TKO in a British title eliminator back in May; he has not fought since that night and is unlikely to defeat Eubank, but the threat of a cut or injury will hang heavy in there air come the 25th.  

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