Chris Eubank Jr. - What's next?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Chris Eubank Jr. promoter Shalom: 'He does want to continue'

Chris Eubank Jr. wants to continue boxing and hopes to aim for a return to the ring by mid-2026, promoter Ben Shalom told ESPN.

Eubank Jr. suffered a unanimous points defeat to Conor Benn a fortnight ago. After the bout, he said he had gone "through hell and back" during camp with an issue but did not elaborate on what that was.

Both fighters had to adhere to a 10-pound rehydration clause on fight day, meaning they could not weigh more than 170 pounds on the morning of the fight. While Eubank Jr. has fought at the middleweight 160 lb limit in the past, he made it clear he thought it was not his ideal weight.

The 36-year-old was also non-committal on whether he would continue fighting. However, Shalom has said Eubank Jr. will aim to be back in the ring at some stage next year.

"He's okay, he's recovering. He is obviously devastated but anyone can see that wasn't Chris Eubank Jr. in the ring," Shalom told ESPN.

"He probably threw 30% of the punches. Everyone can speculate what that reason is. Christ knows what it is, we know what it is. He'll have to deal with that in due course, but he was half the man he could have been.

"He does [want to continue] but he has to be fit and healthy first."

Shalom also said if there was no rehydration clause and Eubank Jr. does get back to full fitness, he believes the trilogy with Benn is an option.

Benn has insisted the rivalry is done and wants to move down to welterweight (147 lbs) and challenge for world titles.

However, if the third fight doesn't happen, Shalom said there are plenty of options for Eubank Jr. but they won't rush anything before the fighter is ready.

"There's a lot of names out there but he's got to be fit and healthy," Shalom said.

"Rather than call out fighters now once he's physically 100% then we can make that decision. I believe that will be the middle of next year."

[joshj909]

1) Retire.
2) Benn 3 if he can resolve whatever was holding him back the last fight (likely the weight cut so that wont the possible). Benn also wants to leave on a win which makes it even less likely.
3) Cash out Vs Canelo for an inevitable KO loss.
4) Go get the SMW/MW IBO title again.
5) Cash out against a British opponent like Sheeraz or Simpson.
6) Crush cans and fade into obscurity until he retires.

He's not winning a belt. He's not going to bring enough cash in to face many other big names anymore.

[Frostieballs]

Shalom also implied on talkSPORT that Junior has a medical issue that held him back in both fights.

Simon Jordan said he had heard through the grapevine that it related to digestive issues.

[johnmanchester]

Around summer 2026 you'll get the first stirrings of the sell for a trilogy match. They won't be leaving that one on the table, they're just going to wait a bit til people's memory fades re how bad the second fight was

[Nightmare Roy]

Around summer 2026 you'll get the first stirrings of the sell for a trilogy match. They won't be leaving that one on the table, they're just going to wait a bit til people's memory fades re how bad the second fight was

Flogging a dead horse, can't see people being interested after the last fight

[CaptainSpacerod]

1) Retire.
2) Benn 3 if he can resolve whatever was holding him back the last fight (likely the weight cut so that wont the possible). Benn also wants to leave on a win which makes it even less likely.
3) Cash out Vs Canelo for an inevitable KO loss.
4) Go get the SMW/MW IBO title again.
5) Cash out against a British opponent like Sheeraz or Simpson.
6) Crush cans and fade into obscurity until he retires.

He's not winning a belt. He's not going to bring enough cash in to face many other big names anymore.

1. The correct answer
2. Father Time was holding him back
3. As much chance of Canelo fighting me
4. Too shot to even win those joke belts
5. Relatively tiny purses
6. Again, only peanuts on the table

Hopefully he retires gracefully after a skilfully managed very lucrative career

[stujones]

Shalom also implied on talkSPORT that Junior has a medical issue that held him back in both fights.

Simon Jordan said he had heard through the grapevine that it related to digestive issues.

To Shalom's credit - it was Jordan that speculated a medical issue, then further speculated digestive issues - but both were not mentioned by Shalom. He didn't confirm or deny it was quite dignified in his non answer.

[Frostieballs]

Shalom also implied on talkSPORT that Junior has a medical issue that held him back in both fights.

Simon Jordan said he had heard through the grapevine that it related to digestive issues.

To Shalom's credit - it was Jordan that speculated a medical issue, then further speculated digestive issues - but both were not mentioned by Shalom. He didn't confirm or deny it was quite dignified in his non answer.

Yep - but it does seem to be the word on the grapevine!

[JamesPhilips]

Shalom also implied on talkSPORT that Junior has a medical issue that held him back in both fights.

Simon Jordan said he had heard through the grapevine that it related to digestive issues.

To Shalom's credit - it was Jordan that speculated a medical issue, then further speculated digestive issues - but both were not mentioned by Shalom. He didn't confirm or deny it was quite dignified in his non answer.

Surely if he has a medical issue he shouldn’t be fighting???

[hitman_hatton1]

billy jo saunders.

170ibs - no rehydration clause.

should have got a rematch on that one.

[deadpan]

A fight for a belt won't bring the money he seems to require, so it's Benn 3 (meh, and a much harder sell), Sheeraz at SM if they can instigate some newsworthy beef or Canelo if Saul needs a confidence boost.

I'm pretty sure he loses all 3 inside the distance. Whatever level he was at, he's left it.

[tony1234]

Not sure you can sell anything after the Benn fight

[stujones]

I think you can "sell" anything if you have enough excuses - mental or physical. Look at Tyson, essentially finished at 23. But we can definitely say finished as a championship level fighter at 30 - they kept wheeling him out, keep saying "next time he will be ready" - at 38/39 - my god, could even say wheeling him out at 58 - but there were people still thinking he could be world champion if he gets his act sorted into his late 30s. Guilty as charged, I also thought the 2001-2002 Mike Tyson if his weight was good, could still win a world title, could even beat Lennox Lewis if he was 15 stone something on the scales- obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing.

So yes - if Eubank goes - "I am ready, this was just a blip - I have trained right this time, no health issues" - then yes I think he could have possibly 2 loses before people will go "seriously we don't believe you".

Defeat one could be a 160 fight against Benn where he could say "physically I am over my ilness, felt great - its just the weight that killed me" - at 168 I'll be much better.

Defeat two at 168 is where he might struggle to make a believable excuse.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Tbf though Tyson was the most famous man on the planet for a period so even though he’d fallen a long long way he was still very much box office.

Eubank Jr barely registers in the public consciousness, I’d be amazed if the 2nd fight would’ve come anywhere near to breaking even without Turki’s largesse.

[rd350lc]

Not sure you can sell anything after the Benn fight

Absolutely this.
The performance for whatever reason was more than flat.
Why would he even bother putting himself through the mill again.
Enjoy his wealth with health.

[Frostieballs]

Tbf though Tyson was the most famous man on the planet for a period so even though he’d fallen a long long way he was still very much box office.

Eubank Jr barely registers in the public consciousness, I’d be amazed if the 2nd fight would’ve come anywhere near to breaking even without Turki’s largesse.

He’s not at ‘crossover’ level but he definitely has a profile.

I’ve had random non boxing fans talk to me about his press conference antics and that documentary with his dad on BBC1.

[forcefraser]

Rematch with Benn at 168 or 160 with no rehydration clause

Biggest money fight.

People will buy into again with enough spin. Maybe have the dad's in an 8 rounder as chief support.

John Fury v Joe Egan on the undercard

[black panther]

Wildcard option: MisFits boxing fight a Youtuber for a gazillion squid.

Though that would involve working with Kalle Sauerland who he's not on good terms with.

PS.

I think he should retire but he clearly loves a pound note and the limelight so might be hard for him.

[forcefraser]

How much do you reckon Jr has made in his career net of fees and taxes?

He's not gonna turn down another £10 mill gross payday if there is a chance. Wouldn't blame him either

[keithmoonhangover]

A lot of talk about it not being the weight or the hydration clause. Bo Mac said before the fight CEJ was gonna fight for a belt at 160. For the rehydration weigh in for both fights, he came in well under 170 fully clothed and wearing a coat.

If he gets offered a big fight at 160, he'll take it. If not, 168 for a BJS rematch?

[kingmo]

Benn will challenge for a world title and lose. The decider will then take place as Benn will have no other big money options.

[stujones]

Tbf though Tyson was the most famous man on the planet for a period so even though he’d fallen a long long way he was still very much box office.

Eubank Jr barely registers in the public consciousness, I’d be amazed if the 2nd fight would’ve come anywhere near to breaking even without Turki’s largesse.

Yes but even "hardcore" fans were buying into - possibly even right up to and including when he walking into the ring against McBride - there were still even those who know their boxing saying "he's still got the speed, all he needs is for his head / and weight to be correct". There were people still giving the plaudits after the Etteine fight - not just the general public, but proper fans. Those saying if he didn't injure himself vs Williams - that Tyson could beat Klitshcko.

We even have Ian Darke saying after the Julius Francis fight something like "Mike Tyson might no longer be Champions League when we think of him P4P in terms of boxing league, but he is still very much in the premier league and when he keeps off the ring rust.... blah blah". Even Boxing Monthly for a time had the 2000/2001 version of Mike Tyson as #1 in the division - when Lewis lost to Rahman.

Not going to lie even I am now going - I wonder how sick Eubank was? Whereas really the evidence is the Eubank hasn't been the same fighter since 2021 - He was pretty poor vs Morrison - but admittedly, not THIS poor.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Rematch with Benn at 168 or 160 with no rehydration clause

Biggest money fight.

People will buy into again with enough spin. Maybe have the dad's in an 8 rounder as chief support.

John Fury v Joe Egan on the undercard

You’ve missed out Ben Shalom v Eddie Hearn

[johnmanchester]

I think you can "sell" anything if you have enough excuses - mental or physical. Look at Tyson, essentially finished at 23. But we can definitely say finished as a championship level fighter at 30 - they kept wheeling him out, keep saying "next time he will be ready" - at 38/39 - my god, could even say wheeling him out at 58 - but there were people still thinking he could be world champion if he gets his act sorted into his late 30s. Guilty as charged, I also thought the 2001-2002 Mike Tyson if his weight was good, could still win a world title, could even beat Lennox Lewis if he was 15 stone something on the scales- obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing.

So yes - if Eubank goes - "I am ready, this was just a blip - I have trained right this time, no health issues" - then yes I think he could have possibly 2 loses before people will go "seriously we don't believe you".

Defeat one could be a 160 fight against Benn where he could say "physically I am over my ilness, felt great - its just the weight that killed me" - at 168 I'll be much better.

Defeat two at 168 is where he might struggle to make a believable excuse.

Agree.

That's why the excuses were planted immediately (and could even be legit, I have no idea. Certainly he looked like shit.)

Benn has no real world level potential. CEJ is at the end of his career. They will need each other again for a cashout.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Tbf though Tyson was the most famous man on the planet for a period so even though he’d fallen a long long way he was still very much box office.

Eubank Jr barely registers in the public consciousness, I’d be amazed if the 2nd fight would’ve come anywhere near to breaking even without Turki’s largesse.

Yes but even "hardcore" fans were buying into - possibly even right up to and including when he walking into the ring against McBride - there were still even those who know their boxing saying "he's still got the speed, all he needs is for his head / and weight to be correct". There were people still giving the plaudits after the Etteine fight - not just the general public, but proper fans. Those saying if he didn't injure himself vs Williams - that Tyson could beat Klitshcko.

We even have Ian Darke saying after the Julius Francis fight something like "Mike Tyson might no longer be Champions League when we think of him P4P in terms of boxing league, but he is still very much in the premier league and when he keeps off the ring rust.... blah blah". Even Boxing Monthly for a time had the 2000/2001 version of Mike Tyson as #1 in the division - when Lewis lost to Rahman.

Not going to lie even I am now going - I wonder how sick Eubank was? Whereas really the evidence is the Eubank hasn't been the same fighter since 2021 - He was pretty poor vs Morrison - but admittedly, not THIS poor.

Fair comment Stu