Chris Eubank Jr. revealed that he has become jaded and emotionless due to the treatment he has received from the “savages, barbarians, and animals” he has had to deal with during his career. It has caused him to become disillusioned and distrustful of people, expecting the worst.
(Credit: Matthew Pover Matchroom Boxing)
A World Full of Savages
Dealing with all the cutthroat individuals and sneaky reptiles has eroded middleweight contender Eubank Jr.’s trust as he heads into his 12-round rematch against Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KOs) this Saturday, November 15th, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
Eubank Jr. doesn’t say if any of the promoters, fighters, or management connected with his fight against Benn fit the category of being a “barbarian” or “animal.” Still, the way he has come across as disengaged in promoting the event, compared to the first fight, suggests that he’s not comfortable with these individuals.
“21 years of being surrounded by savages, barbarians, animals, people looking to use you, hurt you, abuse you. That is the reality of many of the environments you find yourself in the boxing world,” said Chris Eubank Jr. to Boxing King Media, discussing why he’s become so cold and emotionless.
It’s a war mentality in boxing, and of course, that leads to fighters having to deal with this kind of stuff that burns them out quickly. Interestingly, some people are not affected the way others are. Promoter Eddie Hearn is an example. He lets the stuff roll off his back without becoming permanently bitter from the backbiting and betrayal.
Emotion Stripped Away
“That stripped me of my emotion. I learned that you can’t be emotional in this world because people will take that emotion and use it against you. Once I saw that, because you see that happening to guys all the time. Once I understood that, I was cold. It’s all business,” said Eubank Jr. about how he became jaded by life in his years of dealing with snakes in the grass and the vermin that permeates the boxing world.
Eubank Jr. doesn’t give any hints about who he feels has wronged him in the past to make him cold and distant. He’s definitely changed from how he behaved in his first fight against Benn. He was upbeat, joking, and enjoying himself during the promotion of that event. He was the driving force behind making the event a success. For the rematch, he’s been there in body only, and that’s hurt the promotion.
Trust Eaten Alive
“Even when people screw me over now, I don’t get emotional. I expect it. I get angry at myself. Of course, they’ve screwed you over in this spot. Of course, they did that. Of course, they used you here,” Eubank Jr. said.
Chris Jr. comes across as embittered, and he doesn’t appear to have enjoyed himself promoting the second fight.
“Of course, they took advantage of you here. That’s why they’re supposed to do. You should have known it. You can’t have emotion in this sport. That’s why I don’t have any friends in this industry. All my friends are outside of the boxing world,” said Eubank Jr.
