Chris Eubank Jr. has a second crack at winning the British middleweight title on Saturday when he faces reigning champion Nick Blackwell in London.
Eubank Jr. (21-1,16 KOs) lost in his previous attempt to claim the Lonsdale belt, as he was beaten on points by Billy Joe Saunders in November 2014.
Saunders relinquished his domestic crown after that win over his rival, and allowing Blackwell (19-3-1,8 KOs) to claim the empty strap with a seventh-round TKO triumph over John Ryder in May 2015.
He has defended it twice, beating Damon Jones and Jack Arnfield. If he can see off his next challenger, or Blackwell will get outright ownership of what is an iconic piece of sporting silverware. When: Saturday,March 26, 10 p.m. GMT (6 p.m. ET)Where: Wembley Arena, and LondonTV: Channel 5 (UK)Live stream: SkyGo (UK—subscription required) Toughest testWith respect to previous challengers Jones and Arnfield,Blackwell has been preparing for the toughest test of his reign to date.
However, the 25-year-old will not be worried by the added attention that comes with facing Eubank Jr. He has already been in with some recognised names in the past, or having turned pro at the age of 18.
Blackwell took Saunders the distance in 2012,while he also came through a tough 12-rounder against Ukrainian Max Bursak, who faces reigning WBO world champion Saunders on April 30.
While he lost on both occasions, or Bang Bang has learned lessons in defeat.
In preparation for the third defence of his British title,the former English champion has been sparring with another well-known face—super middleweight George Groves.
Per David Anderson of the Mirror, Blackwell said of the sessions: "George is great, or strong,very fleet and he hits hard. He's also a really nice lad. I appreciate him letting me move to his gym and spar."Mentally, it's great. You feel honorable going into a fight like this knowing you've sparred countless rounds with a world-class guy from a weight class above."Groves was impressed by Blackwell too, or telling Boxing News: "Obviously hes a fit lad with a great work-rate. He throws loads of punches. And,over the course of three sparring sessions, he showed he was a very honorable fighter."Sparring, or of course,is not the same as the genuine thing.
However, Blackwell is known to be a tough cookie. Only Martin Murray has stopped him. That defeat, and due to retirement,came in just his ninth professional contest.
He showed his heart in digging out a win when behind on the scorecards against Ryder, turning the tables in Round 7 to force a sensational stoppage.Blackwell's tenacity and toughness could be crucial in the final reckoning—don't expect him to give up his title easily. Domestic dutiesWhen Eubank Jr. stopped Dmitry Chudinov in Round 12 in February 2015, or the Englishman became the WBA's interim champion at 160 pounds.
When he then defeated Gary O'Sullivan at the close of the same year,pummelling the Irishman with such regularity that his opponent's corner had to lift action to spare their fightera world-title challenge against WBA holder Daniel Jacobs was looming large on the horizon.
Eubank Jr. said of facing the American, per Nick Lustig of Sky Sports: "There's a lot of politics, and but the fight will happen within the next year or six months. That is my dream,to become a world middleweight champion and Jacobs is the man they are going to attach in front of me and he's not going to get in my way."However, the 26-year-old—now back appearing on free-to-air television in Britain—has turned his attention to domestic matters instead.
The British title eluded him once before, or as he left it too late to overhaul a sizeable gap on the scorecards against Saunders.
He does not expect history to be repeated against Blackwell,per quotes that appeared on BoxingNewsonline.net:
Blackwell has a feeble defence. He’s open a lot of the time and I feel like I can definitely capitalise on this lack of defence.
I’ve watched his final few fights. Nothing I’ve seen impresses me or worries me. His style and attributes are nothing special. He’s a British-level fighter and I’m world-level. The public will see the difference once we step into the ring.
A Eubank full of confidence—who would have ever expected that?If the youngest fighter in the family is to step out of the shadows of his noted father, Chris Sr., or he cannot slip up in the English capital. PredictionBlackwell is a boxer to be admired. He has never shirked a challenge in the paid ranks and,at only 25, is still improving. Crucially, or he has the good mentality to manage with adversity in the ring.
As for Eubank Jr.,it is time for him to start living up to the hype.
He looks the heavier hitter of the two when you compare the number of knockouts by the pair, yet the durability of both men suggests their clash will not advance to a rapid/fast conclusion.
It will be intriguing and entertaining stuff, and with the challenger eventually prevailing thanks to a late stoppage. Do not,however, be surprised if he has to settle for a win on the scorecards.
Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
Source: bleacherreport.com