By Terence Dooley
Chris Eubank Junior, 18-1 (13), appeared before the media in London earlier today to dissect his decision loss to Billy Joe Saunders and look ahead to his interim WBA middleweight title fight against Russia's Dmitry Chudinov, 14-0-2 (9), at the city's O2 Arena on February 28. The middleweight contender dropped a split decision to Saunders in November, his first professional loss, but has been handed the opportunity to get back amongst the titles in his first fight following the defeat.
The 25-year-old failed to take the British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles from Saunders despite coming on strong as the fight progressed. A slow start handicapped him throughout the bout—his balance also looked way off at times—and he was unable to turn things around on the cards.
A 116-113 scorecard from Phil Edwards flattered him somewhat, but he showed enough promise late on to pique the interest of the people who have viewed him with scepticism over the course of his short professional career.
Frank Warren is promoting the O2 show; he believes that Chudinov, 28, will provide another stern test of Eubank’s credentials. It will also be an insight into what changes, if any, he has made since November. “This fight is a step up for him,” stated Warren. “Billy Joe is going to fight [WBO titlist] Andy Lee and there’s a rematch there for him (Eubank Junior). It’s a great, controversial time for boxing.”
Eubank has admitted that the southpaw stance of Saunders was problematic, arguing that the “Night Wolf” will be a far more straightforward assignment due to the styles mix. “I should have pressed earlier and started the fight how I ended it,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot. It was my first big test, I hung back to make sure I lasted the 12 rounds—I have put this lesson into my training. Dmitry Chudinov is built for me. I’m comfortable with orthodox fighters. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’ll be too much for Chudinov. This guy is not a slick southpaw like Saunders and he won’t last if he goes toe-to-toe.”
He added: “I respect Saunders as a fighter, not as a person. There’s nothing I’d like more than a rematch, but he won’t do a rematch. There are many fighters who have suffered losses at my stage in their career. My comeback is on.”
Prior to the Saunders fight, Chris Eubank Senior boldly proclaimed that his son was on a par, if not better than, both Floyd Mayweather Junior and Gennady Golovkin. The loss to Saunders has not dimmed the former two-weight world champion’s unfaltering belief. “To promote and push him, I will say he is better than Mayweather and Golovkin,” explained Eubank Senior, who will no doubt net his son a few more headlines as fight night approaches—and even more on fight night if he works the corner again.
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