Degale v Eubank Jnr

[Master]

Chris Eubank Jr aims to relaunch career by sending Brit rival James DeGale into retirement

The 29-year-old faces the two-time IBF super-middleweight champion at the 02 Arena on February 23

CHRIS EUBANK JR is back in the deep end — and he knows defeat could see him washed up as a high-profile boxer.

After just one year and one underwhelming tune-up fight since his super-middleweight title loss to George Groves, he is taking on another of West London’s finest in the packed division.

When the fight with two-time IBF king and 2008 Olympic gold medal winner James DeGale was announced, 29-year-old Eubank refused to agree to a retirement clause, insisting he had too much in the tank to consider quitting.

But a third top-level defeat, having fallen short against Billy Joe Saunders in 2014 and The Saint last February after rebuilding, would leave him perilously close to rock bottom.

Most of the early bravado, which was not helped by his father embellishing his ability, has subsided.

Now the Brighton fighter concedes that failure on February 23 at the O2 Arena in London could run his dreams aground.



Sitting in his East Sussex gym without the guidance of Chris Sr, Junior said: “I am proud of what I have done but there is so much more I want to do.

“I want to become a world champion and win multiple belts, so this fight is make or break for me.

“I have to beat James in convincing fashion so I can go on to fight for world titles or legitimately fight the best, I cannot afford a flat performance.

“James was talking about the loser having to retire but I don’t really pay attention to that. Losing never comes into my mind but this is a fight I cannot lose.

“A defeat would leave me in a very difficult spot in my career. This is the most important fight of my life.”

To overcome the taller DeGale, a natural 12st fighter with a longer reach, Eubank will have to have dramatically improved on the courageous but basic brawler who was comfortably outpointed by Groves.

In a last-ditch attempt to improve, he has finally employed a full-time coach to work alongside veteran Ronnie Davies.

Nate Vasquez, a part of Floyd Mayweather’s team in Las Vegas, has moved into Eubank’s Brighton mansion, along with specific southpaw sparring partner Denis Douglin.

The mention of new room-mates puts a shock smile on the 27-2 fighter, who makes mean and moody look effortless.

Tucking the grin away after a rare outing, he said: “After ten years of living alone, it has been a bit of a shock. And it’s two men too, not a woman. A woman I could handle — but two men is different.

“It has been a huge undertaking and something I had to really get used to. Luckily, they are not animals or pigs.



“I got lucky, they clean up after themselves and it has actually been a nice experience. Would I have them live with me outside of a fight camp? Probably not but it’s working.

“I am happy. Everything is falling into place inside and outside of boxing.”

The role in the corner for his father, who was away on a trip to Africa, is yet to be decided.

Junior insists the relationship remains strong but says Vasquez will be the leading man in his corner, sliding between the ropes during the breaks and helping to formulate the game-plan.

DeGale has always spoken highly of his 52-year-old former two-weight world champion dad, but Junior admitted it has played on his mind when rivals verbally attacked his father over previous fights.

He said: “My dad is still around the same amount, he was not training me for the Groves fight, he was not in the gym with me every day, he never has been, he is a busy man with his own life.

“I can speak for myself. I also don’t need rival fighters targeting him to try to get under my skin.

“He is still a big part of the team, he always will be. Will he be in the corner on the night? We have not discussed that yet. But Nate will be No 1 in the corner.”

‘Next Gen’, as he has branded himself, does hope to have plenty of other family members in the ring.

Brother Seb made his light-heavyweight debut on the Groves undercard, cousin Harlem is a 7-0 prospect and half-brother Nathaniel Wilson is now part of the family after reconciling with Chris Sr.

Junior said: “We’ve got Team Eubank going. It’s great to have brothers and cousins fighting and involved in the sport.

“I will be trying to get some, if not all, of them on the bill. That would be a great thing to do. Seb spends a lot of time in Dubai, we used to train together a lot but we don’t really get to any more.

“Harlem is in and out of this gym quite often. I have never trained with Nathaniel but he is welcome down here anytime.”

Privately educated Eubank has been questioned for insisting on fighting at 168lbs when he is naturally more suited to the division below.

Junior now admits he is open to a return down to middleweight but has defended the fight game.

He said: “I would not say boxing is a mug’s game. It’s only a mug’s game if you don’t prepare and dedicate yourself to it, then it is a mug’s game 100 per cent.

“You are going to get beaten up, hurt, used. You are going to get put on shows to lose and not get paid. Boxing is a hard way to earn money.

“But if you are going to be responsible, if you are going to make it your life’s work and be in the gym every day, living and eating right, it is not a mug’s game.

“Done right, boxing is the most noble and amazing sport in the world.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/82863...le-retirement/

[Master]

Billy Joe Saunders believes old friend James DeGale will beat old enemy Chris Eubank Jr

Saunders outpointed Eubank himself in 2014

Billy Joe Saunders has unsurprisingly picked his old amateur teammate James DeGale to beat his old rival Chris Eubank Jr.

The British super-middleweights will finally meet at the O2 Arena on February 23 – live on talkSPORT – after years of bitter trash talk.

Saunders has plenty of experience in the company of both men, having been in Team GB with James DeGale at the 2008 Olympics and having fought Chris Eubank Jr as professionals in 2014.

When asked who he thought would win the fight, Saunders told Behind The Gloves: “People are saying, ‘DeGale’s finished, he’s over the hill.’

“You can’t lose that technical ability. Everybody gets old.

“Let’s say he’s lost five per cent of his movement. Five per cent of pure boxing is purely good enough to beat Eubank. That’s all.”



Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr have had their own raging conflict for several years after Saunders beat Eubank Jr in a 2014 defence of his British, European and Commonwealth titles.

Since then, Saunders has always spoken disparagingly of Eubank Jr and continued to do so in his prediction.

“He’s just not good enough,” Saunders continued, “End of story.

“I can see nothing but a DeGale points win.”

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/4...ris-eubank-jr/

[nuggetdotcom]

Billy Joe Saunders believes old friend James DeGale will beat old enemy Chris Eubank Jr

Saunders outpointed Eubank himself in 2014

Billy Joe Saunders has unsurprisingly picked his old amateur teammate James DeGale to beat his old rival Chris Eubank Jr.

The British super-middleweights will finally meet at the O2 Arena on February 23 – live on talkSPORT – after years of bitter trash talk.

Saunders has plenty of experience in the company of both men, having been in Team GB with James DeGale at the 2008 Olympics and having fought Chris Eubank Jr as professionals in 2014.

When asked who he thought would win the fight, Saunders told Behind The Gloves: “People are saying, ‘DeGale’s finished, he’s over the hill.’

“You can’t lose that technical ability. Everybody gets old.

“Let’s say he’s lost five per cent of his movement. Five per cent of pure boxing is purely good enough to beat Eubank. That’s all.”



Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr have had their own raging conflict for several years after Saunders beat Eubank Jr in a 2014 defence of his British, European and Commonwealth titles.

Since then, Saunders has always spoken disparagingly of Eubank Jr and continued to do so in his prediction.

“He’s just not good enough,” Saunders continued, “End of story.

“I can see nothing but a DeGale points win.”

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/4...ris-eubank-jr/

Probably right, but my mates and I have all backed Eubank with our local pub expert, because De Gay will be tired and Eubank will finally realise that he has to hit people to win fights, probably in the 2nd half.

[Fenster]

Been following the ITV footage of the build up, they both have some snazzy houses, Jr drives his billion pound McLaren around Brighton to fetch milk and bread and Paulie has been staying with DeGale's parents (another snazzy gaff) as he's working with him.

The real question though is who is the best looking? Both think the other is delusional?

[Beanz]

Been following the ITV footage of the build up, they both have some snazzy houses, Jr drives his billion pound McLaren around Brighton to fetch milk and bread and Paulie has been staying with DeGale's parents (another snazzy gaff) as he's working with him.

The real question though is who is the best looking? Both think the other is delusional?

Between a Horse and a Gnu ?

[Master]

it is not a good sign when a fighter in talking openly about retirement before a big fight.

James DeGale: British boxer to consider retirement after fight with Chris Eubank Jr

James DeGale will consider retirement after his fight with fellow Briton Chris Eubank Jr in London later this month.

The 33-year-old vacated the IBF super-middleweight title in July having won a rematch against Caleb Truax.

He will face Eubank Jr in a super-middleweight fight at the O2 Arena on 23 February.

"I'm going to get this good win. After this good win I'll maybe knock it on the head. I don't know," he said.

DeGale lost the IBF title to Truax in December 2017 but reclaimed the belt against the American in April 2018.



He said the decision to vacate was to free him up to pursue "massive fights" rather than face mandatory defences ordered by the IBF.

"I could go on to have another three or four fights; I'm not too sure," he added.

"I'm in a good position where I'm happy and content in what I've done with my career. I've left my mark. I'm sitting nice.

"The hunger and desire hasn't been stronger. I've been training for this fight for a long, long time. Mentally, I'm ready; physically, I'm ready, I'm healthy. There's a lot of questions hanging over this fight as well, but the main one is how much have I got left? Am I declining, am I shot? We'll see."

DeGale's fights against American Truax followed a draw with Badou Jack. He stopped Colombian Fidel Monterrosa Munoz in his last fight in September.

Former WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves, touted as a potential future opponent for DeGale, retired in January.

"I didn't feel anything. I didn't even think about it," said DeGale of Groves' decision.

"I'm concentrating on my fight and what I want to do. I don't care about George Groves' career; he's retired. He thought it was the right time to get out of it and he's knocked it on the head."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/47233259

[Spicoli]

Lee Selby on the undercard but why is he jumping up two divisions? He better bring some punch with Omar Douglas. He'll outclass him but Douglas is a very physical rough fighter and I'd put money on Selby getting butted and opened up again.

[nuggetdotcom]

it is not a good sign when a fighter in talking openly about retirement before a big fight.

James DeGale: British boxer to consider retirement after fight with Chris Eubank Jr

James DeGale will consider retirement after his fight with fellow Briton Chris Eubank Jr in London later this month.

The 33-year-old vacated the IBF super-middleweight title in July having won a rematch against Caleb Truax.

He will face Eubank Jr in a super-middleweight fight at the O2 Arena on 23 February.

"I'm going to get this good win. After this good win I'll maybe knock it on the head. I don't know," he said.

DeGale lost the IBF title to Truax in December 2017 but reclaimed the belt against the American in April 2018.



He said the decision to vacate was to free him up to pursue "massive fights" rather than face mandatory defences ordered by the IBF.

"I could go on to have another three or four fights; I'm not too sure," he added.

"I'm in a good position where I'm happy and content in what I've done with my career. I've left my mark. I'm sitting nice.

"The hunger and desire hasn't been stronger. I've been training for this fight for a long, long time. Mentally, I'm ready; physically, I'm ready, I'm healthy. There's a lot of questions hanging over this fight as well, but the main one is how much have I got left? Am I declining, am I shot? We'll see."

DeGale's fights against American Truax followed a draw with Badou Jack. He stopped Colombian Fidel Monterrosa Munoz in his last fight in September.

Former WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves, touted as a potential future opponent for DeGale, retired in January.

"I didn't feel anything. I didn't even think about it," said DeGale of Groves' decision.

"I'm concentrating on my fight and what I want to do. I don't care about George Groves' career; he's retired. He thought it was the right time to get out of it and he's knocked it on the head."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/47233259

Good luck to them trying for a big money fight, which it certainly isn't in my view. I don't know about Degale but EU certainly has a load of followers 20-30 yr olds with money to splash on £100 tickets at the O2, cant see the ppv bringing in much but time will tell.

[nuggetdotcom]

Been following the ITV footage of the build up, they both have some snazzy houses, Jr drives his billion pound McLaren around Brighton to fetch milk and bread and Paulie has been staying with DeGale's parents (another snazzy gaff) as he's working with him.

The real question though is who is the best looking? Both think the other is delusional?

The McLaren is about £180k, not a bad price for a Brighton boys runabout, you are so out of touch Fenster, not keeping up with social mediabollox, I'll leave the whose best looking to Brighton residents.

[Master]

Lee Selby interview: A tale of triumph, tragedy and a second coming on the James DeGale vs Chris Eubank Jr undercard

Few fighters have walked the line of tragedy and success with the same silent valour as Lee Selby. The slender Barry-born boxer, slightly tanned but largely unscuffed after weeks spent touring Los Angeles’ roughneck gyms, returns to the ring on Saturday nine months after losing his featherweight world title to Josh Warrington.

Selby’s career, even in world title triumph, has been unforgiving. He speaks in the slightly tired manner of having already been here a thousand times. A career where he has reached the summit, but never quite seen the stars.

The last time Selby was seen outside of the ring, taking to the scales before that gruelling bloodbath with Warrington, Selby cut a dangerous mess of skin, sinew and bone. Gaunt in the face with dark circles around his eyes, he had spent the last three weeks chewing on lettuce leaves trying to trick his stomach into believing he was full, as he wrung his 5’9” frame down to a skeletal 126lbs (57kg).

“I wouldn’t eat,” Selby tells The Independent. “I couldn’t spar for three weeks out from a fight because of how few calories I was eating. I was just on the cross-trainer or running all day. I would be constantly thinking about my weight, it was mentally draining. Looking back, I can’t even imagine how I did it.”

Selby was exhausted and outclassed in a punishing and ultimately one-sided contest with Warrington. After three years as a world champion, only pride and mettle kept him on his feet.

Defeat in a sport like boxing rarely brings relief, but after toiling at the weight in search of that one big fight – and payday – Selby was finally released from the crippling cycle. It may not have been on his own terms, but in a game so crude and often unjust, it became cathartic. “It’s not frustrating,” he says. “To be honest, it felt like I could finally move on.”

Selby has now moved up two weight divisions, to lightweight, giving himself an extra 9lbs of leeway. On Saturday, he takes on Omar Douglas, a dreadlocked puncher from Delaware, who has only lost twice in his career – both times at world title level – and is eyeing a coronation of his own. Selby could have had a softer touch on his return, but that’s not what he wanted. That’s not who he is.

Still living just a short drive from the council estate in Barry in South Wales where he grew up, Selby is on the one hand so daring and borderless, but on the other inseparably rooted in his hometown. “It’s all I know,” he says. “It might be tough to an outsider, but not when you’re brought up like that. It’s just the life everybody is living around me.”

Children wail in the kitchen along with the sound of the television set, just down the road is the rundown gym where his father catapulted him into boxing aged 8, and where he had his first amateur fight, 22 years ago, as a fearless 10-year-old boy.



“It was hard from the beginning,” he says. “I was fighting on the small hall shows, no money, no slots on TV, going away as the opponent. It’s tough but you appreciate it more when you’ve done it the hard way.”

Home has also been a place of heartache.

When Selby’s older brother, Michael, suddenly passed away, it was the gym where he re-devoted himself to boxing after time spent papering over his emotions. When he became Wales’ 12th world champion, beating undefeated Russian Evgeny Gradovich in 2015, despite “nobody believing it was possible”, it was Michael to whom he dedicated the belt.

Eighteen months ago, when preparing to make the third defence of that belt, Selby arrived at his hotel room in London on the Tuesday evening of fight week. At 3am in the morning, he was awoken by numerous phone calls from his younger brother, Andrew, back in Barry. Only in the morning did he find out his mother, Frankie, had been rushed to hospital and passed away during the night.

Outside of his close circle, Selby didn’t tell anybody. Still starving himself to make the weight, he insisted he would fight on. “That’s just me I guess,” he says. “I just got on with it, that’s just the type of person I am.” That night, he produced one of the most impressive and assured performances of his career and drove back to Barry to see his family before sunrise.



So, you see, when Lee Selby says defeat to Josh Warrington was “just another fight” he hasn’t watched back yet, it’s not an attempt at a front. And when he says he is returning to the ring to become Wales’ first two-weight world champion, not for the money, you believe him too. He is no average, nor ordinary fighter, but he is disarmingly honest.

A career, and a life, where everything has been earned in the hardest possible way and where success has walked hand-in-hand with tragedy from sports hall to stadium. Sometimes, between training and raising his two daughters, he’ll walk long and high up into the fields and woods above the town to go shooting with his seven dogs to get away from it all. To get a taste of “an easy life”.

“A nice, easy life,” he says heavily. That’s what he is most looking forward to. “I’ve done enough work in these gyms to last me a lifetime.”

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/lee...002219253.html

[Memphis]

Never ceases to amaze me that after all this time, with countless precedents and unlimited knowledge at their disposal, there are still fighters doing things this way and putting their neck on the chopping block. That or they're lying through their back teeth. Whats equally as amazing is the teams these people have endorsing this kind of behaviour.

The Selby's are a weird pair. Neither of them seem to like boxing that much, Lee just wants to tick over quietly with his kids and dogs, Andrew with not even a dozen pro fights under his belt talks openly about not liking boxing.