Chris Eubank Jr. will return to boxing at super middleweight, potentially paving the way for a world title shot.
Eubank Jr. has had a long pro career filled with high-profile matches, but despite holding the much-understood IBO strap, he has never won a world championship.
Most recently, Eubank headlined two bouts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Conor Benn at middleweight, with a fight-day hydration clause. He won the first match, but lost the second.
Eubank Jr., who is widely seen as having lost weight, said he has “issues” to recover from.
He could return to boxing at super middleweight, which would also open the door for a world title fight at 168 pounds.
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Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn discuss potential trilogy fight between them
Terrence Crawford defeated Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight world champion. Crawford is now retired, and a new champion will take the 168-pound belt.
WBC crowned Christian Mbili super middleweight world champion. The Mexican superstar could face Mbili as Alvarez is ranked No. 1 in the world.
Eubank Jr. could be part of the equation for an eventual WBC title fight with either Mbili or Alvarez.
“You’re right, Chris Eubank is a tremendous fighter. I think he sacrificed too much weight, but he’s a natural fighter for that division. Great potential. A super fighter,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
“He’s definitely a world-class fighter.”
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Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. react after the rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
He added: “We’ll deal with the situation in the coming weeks to see what happens with Mbili and the division. Of course, Canelo, (Jaime) Munguia, Lester Martinez, Luka Plantic. There are a lot of fighters who could put up a great fight for Mbili, the champion.”
“(Mbili) was a great kid and had a great story, from Cameroon to France to Canada. He won the WBC Continental Americas Championship and defended the title eight times. He then won the interim title. , defended his fight of the year against Lester Martinez, and the WBC ordered him to face (Hamza) Sheelas. When Sheeras took a different turn, the WBC voted in favor and named him WBC World Champion.
Ilford’s Sheeras is in a prime position to challenge for the WBO world title at super middleweight and will be favored to win the title. Frank Warren, Sheela’s promoter, also challenged Eubank Jr.
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Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn go back many years as they meet face-to-face at their sons’ press conference ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated rematch
There, Eubank Jr. will have a chance to challenge for top-level honors. Warren would welcome a Sheelas vs. Eubank Jr. fight.
“I would do it all day long. All day long. I’d bet on Hamza doing the job,” Warren told Sky Sports.
“Let’s see what happens. Or if he wants to step up again, Conor Benn, do it right away. Any of that.”
Eubank wants a rematch, but can’t say when. “I won’t start boxing again until I’m back to 100 percent, but I don’t know when that will be,” he said late last year.
“But one thing is for sure,” he added, “For the fans who have supported me over the years, I will do everything in my power to one day make a big comeback as the old me.”
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