BoxRec

Jesus. Who said he didn't take risks?

He fought Anthony Logan (who'd just beat Benn up) on a few weeks notice having fought no-one previously, Benn (who'd just steamrolled Barkley), Watson twice, Benn again, Rocchigiani in Germany, Wharton (who'd KO'd his previous opponent in 30 seconds, cold), Collins in Ireland twice, dropped a stone and a half in a week to face Calzaghe a few years after retirement, and then jumped two weights to fight Carl Thompson twice. He also fought 21 weight-drained world title fights in under five fornicating years, vast majority of which over 12 rounds. He even fought and beat an unbeaten southpaw in high altitude with fights 5-6 weeks either side. Welshman Denys Cronin (who had a dangerous left hook) in Wales he obliterated in Jan.1990 on a few days notice, while in training for his first title shot.

Good old Eubank.

Eubank was a hardcase,proper

Yep,a lot of people,including the press,took his achievements lightly IMHO,now,looking back,his career,while carefully managed,stands up.

It doesnt matter who the boxer is, each one will have many people who are not satisfied with who they fought and will bring up ducking. Floyd Mayweather supposedly ducked Cotto, RJJ blaimed of this many times in the nineties, Lewis apparently ducked Tyson and Holyfield when they were in their primes, Calzaghe gets it, Eubank gets it, the list is endless. It does not matter who a fighter beats, there will always be detracters arguing that they ducked another person.

I always felt that Eubank could have given the likes of Jones and Toney hell. The concocted silver-spoon mannerisms belay the fact that he was about as tough as they come. Near-knockout-proof and as the 2nd bout Watson proved, he was able to retain his power late in a bout, under extreme duress.

He may not quite have the record to go down as an ATG, but I still think that Eubank is one of the most remarkable fighters this country has ever produced.

tony3 wrote: He may not quite have the record to go down as an ATG, but I still think that Eubank is one of the most remarkable fighters this country has ever produced.

i couldn't have put it better myself

I remember being ringside when he went toe to toe with Thompson at the NYNEX


thats boxing, that is

Very much agree with you, Tony.

When we get round to taliking about boxers of the past who provoke split debate...two spring to mind.. Joe Bugner and Chris Eubank. They used to laugh their heads off at me when I compared Eubank to Ali, (I'm sure a lot of you guys will too) But, Whilst I accept Ali was unique, with Eubank there were a few similarities.
He was brave beyond belief, allied to an inner toughness that was often forgotten about because of his preening. Also, Ali used to look dreadfull when there was nothing in front of him, indeed, he often squeezed out wins on points, just doing enough.

This, for me, is the biggest similarity between the two. Chris looked terrible in meaningless defences, often decisions were close. But put him in with a live challenge, like those mentioned above, and boy, did he show what he was worth in terms of fistic ability.

A real character too..................not so many of them about now eh... but that's the Brit's for you, we only appreciate em when they've packed up dont we?

Khaosai,
I was ringside for that as well, but have to be honest, it was to see the Naz Vazquez, and Witter Bergman fights.
I just loved the Eubank fight.
The rematch was held in Sheffield, and my mate Rhodes was making his comeback against Szabo, so again ringside for it.
His eye was a mess BEFORE he got in the ring, and certainly was after the fight.
The bloke is a UK legend for me - he refined the art of being hated and selling tickets, then in typical UK style, when he lost everyone loved him !
No one at SM would live with him if he was around today.

When you consider what an ancient Carl Thompson did to David Haye, a genuine big Cruiserweight, and consider that several years earlier in two fights he never came close to having Eubank over, I think this shows just how titanium tough Eubank was.

The man came across as pompous and above himself; but by god, a bigger heart in a boxing ring it's hard to find.

I find the comparisons with Ali quite astute personally, very true.