Eddie Hearn willing to match Chris Eubank Jr and Billy Joe Saunders
The rivalry between two-divisional champion “Superb” Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14ko) and WBA #1 rated middleweight “Next Gen” Chris Eubank Jr (30-2, 22ko) could be coming to a close. DAZN promoter Eddie Hearn hinted how it is a good fight, but Saunders does not necessarily need it.
There is a deep history that has been keeping these two fighters connected for quite some time. Eubank Jr has been wanting to get revenge on Saunders for putting the first blemish on his record. The two-divisional champion defeated Eubank Jr by successfully defending the EBU European, Commonwealth, and BBBofC middleweight belts back in 2014.
The animosity between both fighters has intensified with each passing year. Things got personal after Saunders turned down a fight with boxing’s biggest earner, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, back in 2020. Eubank immediately went after his adversary, mocking his past failed VADA test back in 2018.
THE FIGHT THAT KICKED IT OFF
Saunders would eventually fight Alvarez, and suffered a broken orbital bone which resulted in the fight being halted at end of the eighth round. Eubank took to social media bragging about the nice piece of change he made by betting on Canelo. Furthermore, Saunders has expressed not being sure if he will return to the sport.
“My Dad will have a big say. It’s 50/50. Whether I think, I will have a one [or] a couple more. It’s got to be the right fights. If he says, ‘Leave it, son,’ that’s probably what I’ll do.”
Eubank was on iFL TV promoting the upcoming match-up with WBA #15 ranked Sven Elbir (18-1, 14ko) live on Sky Sports on October 2. During the interview, he called the eye injury fake and issued a challenge to his fellow countryman.
“There is no recovery. The guy is perfectly fine. He quit, he got a black eye, and he did not want it anymore with Canelo. There was no smashed orbital bone. There was no broken eye socket. He swallowed it, he gave up and that is why he has been M.I.A for the last however many months because of the shame of what he did.”
He punctuated that statement with a harsh call-out.
“If he ever grows a pair and wants to get back into the ring, we are here.”
THE RESPONSE THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIGHT
Saunders eventually caught wind of all of this and wasted little time in naming his price to make the fight happen.
3kingsboxing affiliate PepTalk UK caught up to Hearn for his thoughts on making the fight a reality.
“I do not think the money is out of control, to be honest with you. It’s a huge fight, but I would like to see Billy back in the ring. He has to be happy to do it. I don’t see him fighting this year.”
Eddie Hearn went on to indicate that Saunders does not need to fight Eubank. Moreover, he believes to know what the motivating factor would be.
“The only reason Billy would take that fight is for money. Why would he fight Eubank? He has beaten him once. He’s won a world title, and he’s boxed Canelo in front of 75,000 people. The only reason to fight Eubank is money.”
By: Garrisson Bland
