By Edward Chaykovsky
Top British trainer Dave Coldwell believes British middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. (24-1, 18KOs) is a level below Gennady Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs), who holds the IBO/WBA/IBF/WBC world titles.
Golovkin vs. Eubank is being negotiated for a fall date in the UK. Eubank's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, is finalizing the terms with promoter Tom Loeffler, who guides the career of Golovkin.
On June 25th at the O2 Arena in London, Eubank battered Tom Doran over four rounds. Coldwell is Doran's manager and had words with the Eubank clan during the pre-fight media gatherings.
Coldwell respects the skills and ability of Eubank, and admits there is a clear gap of skill between Doran and Eubank - but also feels there is another gap in skill between Eubank and Golovkin.
"Eubank Jr is a very good fighter. I was in his corner with the stool when he boxed Spike O'Sullivan and then obviously Tom Doran had a fight against him. I was very close up to him on both occasions and there's no doubt that he's a good fighter, vicious and ferocious," Coldwell told Sky Sports.
"Having said that, just as there was a gap between where Tom had been fighting and where Eubank Jr is, there's another gap between Eubank Jr and Golovkin. I know Golovkin can be hit but it's when he feels that he can give his opponent the shots to get off his own or give his man confidence. The little things he does with his feet and his timing, range knowledge would be a huge difference in the fight."
"I think it's just about to levels. Fair play to Eubank Jr for wanting to fight the best out there but I don't believe he wins the fight. He's as good as any challenge for Golovkin if not better but I don't believe he's the man to beat him stylistically."
