Saturday’s Groves-Eubank fight proved that Chris Eubank Jr is not technically able for super-middleweight boxing, but could learn a thing or two from George Groves’ recovery from disappointment - according to boxing journalist Gareth Davies.
Speaking to Ger and Eoin on OTB:AM, Gareth gave an in-depth view of Eubank’s technical ability, his relationship with Eubank Sr, and what the future holds for the 28 year-old.
“When you hype yourself up to the point where your father is saying that you’re a machine, that he’s as destructive as Mike Tyson, that he doesn’t have a conventional team or trainer and is self-trained, and says he’s impervious to pain – when he goes out and he’s schooled technically by George Groves... there are repercussions.
“Chris Eubank Jr got exposed as a man who didn’t know how to change the pattern of a fight through boxing ability on Saturday night, and he got beaten up. He was very brave, very courageous and very tough physically, but he got out-manned - and out old-manned - manhandled by a much better, technically-skilled, bigger boxer.”
Gareth by no means believes that all is lost for Eubank Jr though, believing as he does that he can learn from George Groves’ recovery from his loss to Carl Froch in 2014, but that he certainly needs to technically improve to belong at world-level.
“There was no question that the fight was extraordinarily thrilling and exciting... because of the physicality that Eubank brings to anything. He gave his all in there – there’s no question about that. There’s no question about his strength, his tenacity, his desire and his will.
“But when you make all the pronouncements that you’re knocking someone out cold, that you are going to end someone’s career, that you’re sending them into retirement – it’s just that the swing is so huge when that doesn’t happen.”
Gareth believes that Eubank’s future is not at super-middleweight because he lacks the requisite pwoer. But the wider concerns for the fighter’s future centre on his relationship with his father and unconventional camp preparation. Eubank Jr has carried through the hubris and verbal jabwork that were hallmarks of his father’s career, but the latest bout prompted critics to recommend severing ties with Eubank Sr and his trainer, Ronnie Davies. Gareth expanded on a post-fight conversation he had with Groves about the father-son relationship, and whether it is hindering Junior’s progression.
“Sitting talking with George Groves about [Eubank’s relationship with his father], and not in a mean way - maybe only a psychologist could unravel the relationship between Eubank Jr and Sr. They have extraordinary charisma, you know... everything they say is brilliant copy.
“They are preening, posing peacocks, the pair of them. As a result, when things don’t go right, you know how cruel the world we live in is – it’s even more cruel today because of social media.”
“The point is that this is what big boxing has revolved around for 160 years – hype and promotion. People forget very quickly that someone has had a bad night – it’s built up again, excuses are found and a new team is made. We’ve seen it a million times.”
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