Chris Eubank Jr. is set to face the explosive Conor Benn, but nine years ago was almost destined to face an even harder puncher in Gennady Golovkin.
Chris Eubank Jr. is nearing the end of his career as he gears up to face Conor Benn this weekend.
The 35-year-old has fallen short in every instance where he’s stepped up against high-level opposition, having lost to Liam Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, and George Groves, and with Benn getting his way with the ring size, it remains to be seen if Eubank can still perform at a high level.
It was nine years ago, though, that a mega fight was taken from right under Eubank’s nose, as, for better or worse, a fellow Brit got the fight with Gennady Golovkin instead of him.
Chris Eubank Jr. was close to facing Gennady Golovkin until Kell Brook entered the picture
In 2016, Eubank was vocal about wanting to face then-unbeaten unified middleweight champion Golovkin.
The fight was close to being made, with Golovkin, according to BoxingScene, stating: “Everything agreed from our side, now waiting for Chris Eubank Jr., who all of a sudden has lost his pen.”
However, promoter Eddie Hearn removed Eubank Jr. from the fight when he offered Kell Brook the opportunity to move up and face Golovkin, a move which many believe in hindsight spelled the end of Brook’s career.
Eubank Jr. claimed he never received a contract for the fight, and so in 2016 it was Brook who faced the unbeaten knockout artist, and fell victim to his 23rd consecutive knockout win.
Eubank one-upped Golovkin in his most recent fight, defeating Kamil Szeremeta quicker than the Kazakh did.
Chris Eubank Jr. lost to George Groves, but defeated one of his biggest rivals
Following Eubank’s win over Avni Yildirim, the Brit faced George Groves who had lost only to Carl Froch in their two blockbuster domestic bouts, and Badou Jack, who punched two referees in his career.
Eubank fell short for the second time in his career, losing a close but unanimous decision.
After a comeback victory he faced James DeGale in 2019 for the vacant IBO super-middleweight title.
DeGale fought Groves in 2011, in a close and controversial fight which saw Groves win a majority decision.
Eubank Jr. defeated DeGale by unanimous decision, retiring him for good.