We all knew Eubank Jr vs Blackwell was pretty much 100% locked in, but just so you know, it’s now official. One thing you may have noticed is that the original March 5th date has been pushed back to the 26th. A bummer if you’re a diehard Chris Eubank Jr fan, I guess.
Anyway, the clash is on, and London’s renowned Wembley arena will be playing host. Eubank Jr, a much-hyped prospect, will be taking on reigning British Middleweight champ Nick Blackwell. While this encounter has been written off by a fair few boxing scribes, I for one see it as an intriguing test for Eubank. So sue me.
Going in, Eubank Jr will carry 21 wins, 16 knockouts and 1 defeat, and Blackwell 19 wins, 16 knockouts, 3 defeats and 1 draw.
While not as heavy-handed as the gritty Gary O’Sullivan, Blackwell has decent pop behind his punches, is young and hungry, and has experience against tough customers. If Blackwell’s surname was Eubank, I’m pretty sure his handlers wouldn’t have steered him straight into early career defeats to solid threats Martin Murray and Billy Joe Saunders.
Ah, the business of boxing…
Blackwell will be looking to extend his seven-fight winning streak – and of course make a name for himself by slaying a ‘Eubank’ – which has included wins over John Ryder, Damon Jones and Jack Arnfield. For the record, Blackwell’s last loss was against Max Bursak in 2013.
Eubank, who is somehow WBA champ Danny Jacob’s mandatory challenger, has returned to winning ways since being upset by Billy Joe Saunders back in 2014. Capable but beatable contenders Dmitry Chudinov, Tony Jeter and Gary O’Sullivan all fell accordingly inside the distance when Eubank bounced back last year.
Should Eubank take care of business in style, the Jacobs fight will likely be up for grabs, especially as Eubank is a big name (like I need to keep reminding you?). Whether that fight would happen just yet is somewhat questionable given Eubank has plenty of low risk-high reward fights at his feet. Personally, I’d rather see Eubank climb the ladder at a slower rate before tackling Jacobs who, let’s not forget, recently demolished Peter Quillin inside two minutes.
My guess is Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, who promotes Eubank, won’t want a piece of that kind of heat just yet. And who can blame him? Not when a more lucrative revenge matchup like Billy Lee Saunders vs Eubank is there to be made. Mind you, I’m not sure that’s necessarily an easier fight than the Jacobs option (after seeing Saunders tame Andy Lee).
What do you think, readers? Is Eubank Jr vs Blackwell a hand-picked affair? Will Eubank throttle Blackwell with ease? And, assuming he does emerge victorious, what should his next move be?
