By Edward Chaykovsky
Promoter Frank Warren has long claimed that Chris Eubank Jr. (23-1, 18 KOs) has ignored numerous offers for a rematch with WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (24-0, 12KOs).
The two boxers collided in 2014 for the EBU title, with Saunders winning a tough twelve round split decision to hand Eubank his first and only career loss to date.
Since the loss, Eubank Jr. has packed in five consecutive wins - all by knockout. Saunders has won four more times, including last December's title win over Andy Lee.
Saunders has had only one fight in 2016, due to injuries and his events being pushed back. Eubank Jr. has fought twice, but is also earning a reputation for intentionally withdrawing from scheduled fights - including a planned clash against Tommy Langford in a British title fight.
Eubank claims that it's Warren who is blocking the second fight from going forward, but he doesn't exactly deny that Warren put a seven figure offer on the table for a Saunders rematch.
"Frank Warren, he’s a slippery guy, man. Everyone knows it, he’s slippery. He says one thing then and then does the complete opposite. He’s telling people - 'I will never work with the Eubanks again.’ And then he wins a purse bid for me to fight against Langford to host the fight," Eubank Jr. told IFL TV.
"You can’t take anything he says seriously. He’s been blocking it, he don’t want me going in there and beating up his boy... his golden boy. Well, he’s not so golden anymore after his last fight - but who does Warren got? Saunders is his main guy as far as I know."
"He’s saying they offered us a million to fight Saunders........ or whatever he said to fight Saunders. While he’s saying that, he’s in talks with the Boxing Board of Control about getting me fined for not fighting Langford.... it’s b****cks. He’s slippery and that’s putting it lightly."
