Chris Eubank Jr. isn’t entirely certain of his next opponent but has guaranteed a far better showing than his last one in front of an American viewing audience.

The second-generation boxer barely revved up the engine before his United States debut, which came versus Matvey Korobov last December at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Eubank Jr. was awarded a dissatisfying 2nd round stoppage win when Russia’s Korobov (28-3-1. 14KOs) was unable to continue after suffering multiple tears to his left labrum.

“It was disappointing, that being my (U.S.) debut. I wanted to make a statement,” Eubank Jr. (29-2, 22KOs) explained on a recent edition of The PBC Podcast. “I wanted to dominate and put on a show for the American public and for the guys who maybe hadn’t seen me. I wasn’t able to do that. I actually was upset but the more I thought about it, the more I kind of realized that actually it was the best thing that could’ve happened aside from me knocking him out in the 1st round. Matt Korobov is extremely experienced and awkward fighter. I could’ve got cut, I could’ve got injured. So many things could’ve happened that wouldn’t have been positive.

“The fact that I was able to go in there, not get hurt, not get touched and come away with a win against such an awkward opponent, it wasn’t a bad thing really.”

The fight was part of a Showtime telecast topped by undefeated two-division and reigning middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo (30-0, 22KOs), who stopped Dennis Hogan in seven rounds. The two bouts were strategically placed on the same show with the intention of pairing the winners—particularly Charlo and Eubank Jr.—together in their next outing.

Such a fight could very well come next, although the sport at large remains on hold in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Whatever comes next, Eubank Jr. promises a stronger showing as well as a different look. The 30-year old from Brighton, England is currently training under the watchful eye of legendary former four-division titlist Roy Jones Jr. in the latter’s hometown of Pensacola, Florida.

“There are going to be plenty of opportunities for me to show off my skills against much bigger names there will be much more interest in,” insists Eubank Jr., who has won three straight following a 12-round loss to then-super middleweight titlist George Groves in the semifinal round of the World Boxing Super Series season one tournament. “Matt Korobov is not a huge name in the sport where people knew him. I have plenty more opportunities to make a big statement.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox