Chris Eubank Jr is planning for a big 12 months that includes the possibility of facing Saul ‘Canelo Alvarez’.
Having not fought since September 2023, Chris Eubank Jr is hungrier than ever to get back into the ring.
His last fight saw him recover from suffering the first stoppage defeat of his career to beat Liam Smith in their rematch.
Since then, Eubank Jr has been linked with a host of names including: Conor Benn, Hamzah Sheeraz and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, only for various factors to get in the way.
Chris Eubank Jr sets out plan to face Canelo
Given that it’s been almost a year since his last appearance in the ring, Eubank Jr knows that he will probably need a fight to get himself back up to speed but the main name he has in sight is Canelo.
The two did actually try to negotiate a deal for them to go up against each other in Las Vegas in September but couldn’t agree anything and Canelo will instead face Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena, on September 14.
However, Eubank Jr. is confident that the Mexican will come through the fight unscathed and has already offered himself to the four-weight world champion.
He told Sky Sports: “I think May next year.
“We were in talks with he and his team for his next fight. We couldn’t come to an agreement. It was very last minute. The numbers weren’t right, the business wasn’t right and I’ve been out of the ring for a year. This wasn’t a fight that I could take after a year off. I wasn’t going in there for a payday like so many other fighters have. I’m going in there to win and I want to give myself the best chance possible.
“There’s only a few guys that ‘Canelo’ can fight. There is not a pool of fighters that the public want him to fight and that he can fight. There’s very few names so I don’t need to rush.”
Eubank Jr wants more than one ‘mega fight’
Eubank Jr is an ambitious fighter and has confirmed his intentions to fight “within the next couple of months” before adding that that he wants “more than one mega fight” in the next 12 months.
“The amount of names I have on my hitlist is incredible and it’s exciting,” Eubank Jr exclaimed.
“Domestically we have great fights. Conor Benn, Billy Joe Saunders, who I’d love to get my hands on. In the international seas, ‘Canelo’. Terence Crawford. Any of the world title holders in the middleweight division. [WBA champion, Erislandy] Lara. The list is endless.
“Now we have the platform and the freedom to go and make these fights so over the next twelve months, watch this space.”
Unlike his father, Eubank Jr has continued his career beyond the age of 32 (currently 34) and stressed that he still has plenty left in the tank.
“I live the life. I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs. I have my little nights out here and there but in general I’m responsible with my lifestyle outside of boxing,” he said. “That’s where longevity will come into play in terms of my career.
“My father retired at 32 years old. I’m 34 and retirement is not even in my mindset. Not even close. A lot of big fights and a lot of huge potential match-ups over the next six months and I’m ready to go.”