By Charles Brun: Chris Eubank Jr. is starting to sound envious of the talented WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo. On Monday, Eubank Jr. (29-2, 22 KOs) took a shot at the unbeaten two-division world champion Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs), saying that he thinks more about himself than what he’s achieved during his 12-year-old professional career.
Eubank Jr. says he would be interested in facing the 29-year-old Charlo, but his #1 target is IBF middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KOs). That’s who Eubank Jr. wants most of all.
Charlo is a much bigger puncher than Eubank Jr., and he’s faster and more explosive. It could prove to be a big mistake for Eubank Jr. to take on Charlo right now unless his new trainer Roy Jones Jr. can improve his game.
Charlo has wins over Julian ‘J-Rock’ Williams, Austin Trout, Matt Korobov, and Dennis Hogan. Jermall would like to fight Canelo Alvarez, but that fight has failed to happen. In 2019, Charlo was the WBC mandatory to Canelo t 160. However, the World Boxing Council elevated Canelo to Franchise champion and that spoiled Charlo’s attempts at fighting him.
Eubank Jr. doesn’t like Jermall
“He is not a likable guy. I don’t like his character. He thinks that he’s more than he is. I would take great pleasure in taking him down a peg or two,” said Eubank Jr. to Sky Sports Boxing on Jermall Charlo.
“He hasn’t fought anyone. Anyone can look big and strong and fast against weak opponents. That’s all he’s had in his career. He’s got the belt so it will always be an interest,” said Eubank Jr on Charlo.
It’s true what Eubank Jr. says about Jermall not having fought anyone of note during his career, but it’s not for lack of trying. Charlo is in the same boat at WBO 160-pound champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade.
He’s more risk than he’s worth for the popular guys like Golovkin and Canelo to fight him. It’s not that Charlo lacks their talent. It’s more of a case where they’re not giving Charlo the chance to increase his popularity by competing against them.
Unfortunately, Charlo and Eubank Jr. appear to be going in different career directions. Charlo, 29, is talking about wanting to move up to 168 to challenge WBC champion David Benavidez.
In Eubank’s case, he’s attempting to make a name for himself at 160 after moving down in weight from 168 last December against Matt Korobov. Eubank Jr. spent the first eight years of his career fighting at super middleweight, and he lacked the size, power, and the skills to beat the top guys. When Eubank Jr. stepped it up against Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves, he lost.
Roy Jones Jr. is working with Eubank Jr.
Boxing great Roy Jones Jr. is now the trainer for Eubank Jr, and he’s trying to develop his game. It’s proving to be an uphill climb for Jones, considering that Eubank Jr. has fought the same ways since he turned pro in 2011. Trying to change the 30-year-old Eubank Jr. into a more balanced fighter is going to take a lot of work, as he’s stuck in his ways.
Some fighters are good at following instructions and adopting their game to learn new things. It doesn’t appear that Eubank Jr. is one of those guys. He fights the same way every time out, and it could prove to be fruitless for Jones to try and change him for the better.
If Eubank Jr. wants to Charlo, he might need to move up to 168 to face him. Golovkin would be the best bet for Eubank Jr. to fight if he elects to stay at 160. Golovkin, 38, is getting up there in age, and he might not stay around the sport for too much longer. When Golovkin’s current contract with DAZN expires, it’ll be surprising if he chooses to continue fighting.
