Chris Eubank Jr. Insists He’s Not Just Chasing A Canelo Payday (But He’ll Take One)

Chris Eubank Jr. is 34, an age where many fighters are at least pondering the end of the prizefighting line. If his words are to be believed, though, the second generation star is just starting to motor into the most intense part of his professional career.

Recently inking a promotional partnership with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER, Eubank (33-3, 24 KOs) is looking to jump right into a legacy-defining run.

Despite rumors of a bout with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez this September 14, talks stalled and eventually fizzled out over financial details. But that big ticket clash is still a likelihood, according to the former interim WBA middleweight titlist.

“I think May next year” Eubank told Sky Sports News in the UK when asked about when that Canelo fight might happen. “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. That means being able to come off consistent fights, consistent camps and then go into the biggest fight in world boxing at the moment not coming off a year lay-off. I think activity and consistency over the next six months and get this man in May.”

Confident of a Canelo Clash

Ultimately, Eubank feels that He’ll be getting that big opportunity because, well, there’s just not a lot of viable B-sides left for the Mexican superstar.

“There’s only a few guys that ‘Canelo’ can fight,” Eubank said. “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.”

But, between now and Canelo, Eubank realizes that he’s got some work to do.

“The plan with me is to get active. I’m 34 years old. I’m ready to get back in. I’ve been a year out of the ring and at my age you cant afford to be doing that,” he added. “Consistency, activity that’s the key. Especially at my age. We’ll be fighting again within the next couple of months and, over the next 12 months, we’re going to have more than one mega fight.”

Eubank’s Checklist of Big Fights

As for the big fights on his immediate future checklist?

“There’s no secrets. The amount of names I have on my hitlist is incredible and it’s exciting,” Eubank said. “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.”

Eubank is coming off a tenth-round TKO of Liam Smith to avenge a controversial fourth-round TKO to Smith eight months prior. High-water mark performances over the course of his 13-year pro career have come in wins over Smith, James DeGale, Arthur Abraham, and Matt Korobov, as well as in close points losses versus George Groves and former Canelo opponent, Billy Joe Saunders.