The son of a British legend is looking to create his own legacy, and make a statement, in his U.S. debut versus the dangerous Matt Korobov Saturday night on SHOWTIME.
After 30 professional bouts fighting overseas, U.K. mainstay Chris Eubank Jr. is excited to finally make his United States debut Saturday against Matt Korobov.
“They say, ‘if you make it in America, you can make it anywhere,’” Eubank Jr. said from his gym in Las Vegas. “It’s exciting to get the opportunity now.”
‘Tis the season for straps for Eubank Jr. (28-2, 21 KOs), who has grandiose title plans to further accomplish his championship dreams much like his father Chris Eubank Sr. did as a two-division titleholder.
The IBO super middleweight champion must first get past Korobov in a 160-pound affair, but he already has his sights set on the man of which he’s providing chief support for. Eubank Jr. is the co-headlining bout Dec. 7 for the PBC on SHOWTIME televised event (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The main event features undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo defending his 160-pound title against highly ranked contender Dennis Hogan.
“My goal is to get all of the titles and belts and give the fans what they want to see,” said Eubank Jr. “Whoever PBC puts me in the ring with at the top of the middleweight division, those are the fights I want to take. They know the best route I need to take. I’m happy with Korobov as my first opponent, and I think it’s a great introductory fight for the American boxing scene.
“I don’t care about who I fight. I care about the belts and titles. Whoever is holding the belts, those are the guys I want to fight. There is a lot of great fighters and fresh blood out here. I’m excited to showcase my skills and dedication that I’ve put into sport as a professional for the past eight years.”
With the holidays around the corner, Eubank Jr. has a wishlist of opponents he’d like to face, one of them being Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“He’s the biggest name in boxing today,” said Eubank. “If Canelo comes back down to middleweight, that is definitely a fight I want to get. That’s a fan-friendly fight, and one that I am definitely interested in,” said Eubank Jr.
“ My goal is to get all of the titles and belts and give the fans what they want to see. ” Middleweight Contender - Chris Eubank Jr.
The goal is to stay at 160, after spending the last two years campaigning at 168.
“As far as I know, for the foreseeable future, I want to campaign at 160. I’m not a natural super middleweight. I’m excited to fight guys my size, and not ones 20-to-30 pounds heavier,” said Eubank Jr.
However, if there is one fight Eubank Jr. would be willing to move up for, it’s to avenge his 2014 split decision defeat to southpaw Billy Joe Saunders.
“I’m more than willing to get in the ring again with Billy Joe Saunders and show the world that he isn’t the boogeyman that everyone thinks he is,” said Eubank Jr. ““If there are any top fights presented at 168, it’s definitely not out of the option.”
The big goal, however, is to wear the green WBC strap that Charlo wears today.
“I don’t have any interest in the man himself. I don’t know the guy,” said Eubank Jr. “But he has the green belt, so he interests me there. I know I can beat him in a fight. It’s a fight that’s looking very likely to happen in 2020 as long as I do my job before that.”
Ultimately, Eubank Jr. wants to make an empathic entrance into the U.S. market so he can garner the attention of the champions he wants to meet.
“Over the next few years, it’s going to be great for me because I’m a very exciting fighter. I’m not one of these guys who’s happy to do the bare minimum to win, coasting along on the scorecards,” said Eubank Jr. “I’m looking to take out my opponent each and every second of each and every round. I don’t stop, I don’t quit, and I have a hell of a chin. I’m tenacious and I’m ready for war. My fighting style will translate well to a new audience. I’m an all-action fighter, and there will be exciting times ahead.”
For a closer look at Chris Eubank Jr, check out his fighter page.
