Saunders v Eubank Jr

[ThereByTheGrace]

I would go for Saunders just based on the fact he has went 12 rounds quite a few times and has the Amateur pedigree and skills to negate Eubank's style

[Crease]

Froch was also a 2 time national champion though and a world amateur championships bronze medallist.

That's fair mate... But it doesn't equate to his professional achievements... I mean Carl didn't even win a Gold Medal at any Amateur games and yet has still went to to become a four time World Champion and I'd day one of the Greatest Super Middleweights of all time.

As I say, amateurs to pros - I don't think it means that much...

[Crease]

Sometimes the British title is harder to win than the European though. Based on who the opponent is.

Maybe on a few odd cases, but the European Title is considered a bigger prize than the Lonsdale Belt. Not to mention that you have a lot of strong boxing nations always vying for the European Title - Germans, Italians, the French etc...

It's not an easy thing to win for the most part. Whereas depending on your weight-class, if your a half talented fighter you could win the Lonsdale Belt outright without too much trouble.

[Crease]

Remember what I said.

[dve3333]

Bloody hell I know Rawling is paid by FW but he's EXTREMELY biased toward BJS and against Eubank tonight!

[jamesmcdonnell]

Really?

I thought Eubank Jr looked shite frankly, clumsy as hell, poor footwork, no jab, lurching all over the place - he was predictable as well, throwing the uppercut over and over again.

He's strong and can punch, but unless he improves drastically he's no world beater.

I thought they were being charitable to Eubank if anything.

[brilo33]

billy joe don't get credit future world champion , top fighter

[magwitch]

looked like a terrific last couple of rounds. Son and father looked a bit strained to me and I think Eubank should really tone his dress down, as he is not the centre of attention. God knows how the shrinks would explain it.
It was nice how they seemed to get the old team together with whatshisface? Eubank's trainer.

[magwitch]

Billy Joe Saunders became the first traveller to own a Lonsdale belt outright - which he owned for a grand total of about 3 minutes, at which point his Dad became the second traveller to own a Lonsdale belt

BJS seemed a tw*t to me before - but I thought in victory he was classy, they both were in fact - which was nice to see. No need for all the garbage and crank behaviour in my eyes.

[CheckHook]

I've been a fan of BJS since he turned pro and always felt he could operate at and around world level, but on tonights performance I'd say he is clearly a step below world level right now. Eubank was fundamentally poor tonight and really only won his rounds on grit and determination. He was woefully out of position when he missed with the flailing shots and was badly off balance multiple times, but BJS didn't take advantage to the level he should have. He did well and won fairly handily, but unfortunately it wasn't a stellar performance against less than stellar opposition.

For me Eubank showed determination and it won him more rounds than I expected him to get, but that's about all. He isn't a good enough boxer to put round in the bank and doesn't have the pop that so many people were adamant that he had. Right now, he's a very ordinary, British level fighter. Throw him in with someone like Ryder next time out and he'd probably come up short there too.

I probably sound a bit negative, but I'm really not moaning for the sake of it. I'd love to see BJS pick up a title and stick around on the world scene for a while, I'm just not sure he is quite at that level.

[crusader]

Just noticed that BJS's last 4 wins (and 5 of last 7) were over unbeaten opponents. Anyone know of British fighters who consecutively beat more than 4 undefeated opponents excluding those without a win?

[digzee]

Eubank Jr will show us something different. He will give Saunders a good hiding. Mark my words.

[Ian1973]

Only just got round to watching this, had it on record. I have Saunders winning 116 - 112. Just had a bit too much ability for Eubank who gave it a really good go the further the fight went on.

Don't know how it was a split decision but judges are awful these days.

[Ian1973]

By 3 rounds for Eubank? Phil Edwards wants sacking he doesn't know what the hell he's watching.

[Broomhall]

Just goes to show how crap match making can hinder a fighters progress. If Eubanks had had some better quality opposition, been in a few area title fights-his best opponents before this, Frankie Borg and Bradley Pryce-then he would have had a much better chance.

Serves them right for feeding him such poor opposition imo.

[THEBUTCH]

I was hoping for a better fight that flowed more, but it certainly wasn't bad and the going did get tough in the last few rounds.

BJS still needs another fight IMO against either an American/South American top-tenner or defend the European crown against a premium continental. Then stampede the world titles.

I know he'll be going the WBO route which tends to allow low grade defences so you grow into being a more genuine world champion, but BJS has never ducked anyone and if he does the same at world chapionship level, he needs more preperation for that.

Eubank Jnr will win the British title once BJS vacates and can come again as a solid force in the middleweight division.

[tobyh5]

Just had a bit too much ability for Eubank

I think it was experience really. If it was just ability BJS would have won most rounds rather than the ones the Eubank did fcuk all in.

The rounds Eubank did nothing in BJS won. The rounds Eubank fought in, he won. Says it all to me

[THEBUTCH]

It could have been down to experience, but BJS also does what he has to do to win. The harder it gets the more he finds ways to overcome.

Massive credit to both boxers for getting it on and not keeping the fans waiting. Massive credit due. Speaks volumes about them both.

[CiganoBoxer]

Just had a bit too much ability for Eubank

I think it was experience really. If it was just ability BJS would have won most rounds rather than the ones the Eubank did fcuk all in.

The rounds Eubank did nothing in BJS won. The rounds Eubank fought in, he won. Says it all to me

Your blind tho , BJS had him missing and made him look like a novice most of the times in that fight, the rounds BJS won at the start was through skill an sharpness ,the only way Eubank had a chance to win was if BJS slowed down and fought Eubanks fight ...well guess what , he dint ;;-) get over it .

[tobyh5]

I am not a fan of Eubank but I am not blind either. He did make him miss by miles and I think Eubank will be better for the experience and if he is taught better balance which I have said elsewhere.

Most had it 7 rounds to 5, now that is hardly some amazingly great win

[semtexreilly]

i think eubank jnr can still have a great career in the pros,eubank snr needs to take a back seat now though and let his son concentrate on his boxing and being himself instead of this circus act weve been watching in his career upto now,he proved in the last few rounds hes a good boxer and has the heart,but father and son act is getting a bit boring now

[liamlion]

Really enthralling fight.

British boxing needs more fights like these to happen, good undefeated fighters tackling each other for domestic honours rather than dodging each other.

Eubank just gave BJS his toughtest fight to date. Eubank's boxing was often crude and he completely neglected his jab but he was at some stages relentless and BJS knew he had been in a hard fight.

I would love to see a rematch. I personally think that Eubank learnt more from last night's fight than BJS.

[expe]

Really enthralling fight.

British boxing needs more fights like these to happen, good undefeated fighters tackling each other for domestic honours rather than dodging each other.

Eubank just gave BJS his toughtest fight to date. Eubank's boxing was often crude atand he completely negoected his jab but he was at some stages relentless and BJS knew he had been in a hard fight.

I would love to see a rematch. I personally think that Eubank learnt more from last night's fight than BJS.

Didn't think that was Saunders' toughest fight, he pissed the first 5 rounds, then Eubank Jr decided to wake up a bit and start trying to fight and Saunders was still pretty comfortable, he didn't take many clean punches, most were hitting thin air. Ryder and Blackwell made him work harder and pushed him closer, regardless of what the judges were watching.

[liamlion]

Really enthralling fight.

British boxing needs more fights like these to happen, good undefeated fighters tackling each other for domestic honours rather than dodging each other.

Eubank just gave BJS his toughtest fight to date. Eubank's boxing was often crude atand he completely negoected his jab but he was at some stages relentless and BJS knew he had been in a hard fight.

I would love to see a rematch. I personally think that Eubank learnt more from last night's fight than BJS.

Didn't think that was Saunders' toughest fight, he pissed the first 5 rounds, then Eubank Jr decided to wake up a bit and start trying to fight and Saunders was still pretty comfortable, he didn't take many clean punches, most were hitting thin air. Ryder and Blackwell made him work harder and pushed him closer, regardless of what the judges were watching.

Well, its a subjective thing and so everyone'e opinion differs and is as valid as the next.

The first 4 or 5 rounds were pretty one-sided, i think that largely goes down to the fact that Eubank literally did nothing. Im not sure whether the occasion got to him. No doubting BJS is a class boxer though.

BJS' post fight interview with ifl tv shows a relieved man.

I would like to see Eubank fight Blackwell for the British title (if BJS is prepared to vacate). Blackwell looked really poor in his last outing.

[palooka]

I think Eubank was tense the first 3 rounds and he seemed a bit miffed that Saunders wasn't dancing to his tune. Euband seemed to have only basic shots and few combinations, I imagine when he's landing hard punches on the pads and bags people are blowing smoke up his arse as to how hard he hits. I imagine Jnr will gain a little from the experience but Golovkin doesn't have to lose any sleep.

Eubank Snr seems to be there for his own vanity and though it looks fun to be an eccentric and a character he seems to be detrimental to the corner; Jnr also seems to show a dismissive attitude toward Davies.

Saunders was a level above and showed maturity post bout.