Is Chris Eubank Jr. a bit of a “wally” or just misunderstood? He talks about becoming a world champion, yet he avoids fighting for world titles. He calls out the big names, but rarely steps into the ring with them. And now, he’s sporting a massive beard, but just a while ago, he only had a bit of fluff on his face. Eubank Jr. is truly an enigma.
One minute, he’s a part of a team with his legendary father, Chris Eubank Sr., dominating the world together, and the next, he’s a lone wolf, with his father nowhere in sight. So, what’s really going on with him?
Eubank Jr.’s journey is far from ordinary. Many boxers come from tough backgrounds—stories of growing up on the streets, surviving tough situations, and using boxing as a way out. But that wasn’t Chris Jr.’s reality. Born into privilege, being the son of a boxing legend, his story is different. His father, Chris Eubank Sr., is a man of complexity himself. Known for his eccentricity, Sr. once invited a homeless man into his mansion, only for the man to leave a few months later due to Sr.’s unusual behavior.
Chris Jr.’s relationship with his father was complicated. Sr. actually banned him from boxing gyms when he was a teenager, but young Chris always had an urge to fight. Outside of home, he dabbled in street life, getting into altercations, while also living the life of privilege, going to private schools. It was a bizarre mix.
When his father went bankrupt and divorced, and Chris Jr. met a woman in Paris who became his guardian, he moved to Las Vegas, leaving behind the strict influence of his father. There, he finally immersed himself in boxing and gained invaluable experience. He finished his amateur career with 24 wins and just 2 losses, which set him up to go pro in 2011. His debut brought the Eubank name back into the spotlight, and he started building a solid career with a string of knockouts and wins.
However, Eubank Jr. always seemed to be living in his father’s shadow. Senior was always around, for better or worse, but this made it hard for Junior to step out and be his own man in the sport. Despite this, Junior seemed to thrive on the attention and hype that came with his father. But behind the scenes, Sr. was notorious for making negotiations difficult, leading to missed opportunities, including a long-rumored fight with Gennady Golovkin that never came to fruition.
The fight that defined the early part of Junior’s career came against Billy Joe Saunders, a huge challenge for the young fighter. It was a battle that saw Eubank Jr. come on strong in the latter rounds, but it wasn’t enough, and Saunders took the win. It was a tough loss, but it didn’t stop Junior from continuing his journey.
Chris Jr. then had a solid victory over Nick Blackwell, a fight where Senior’s advice to focus on body shots rather than headshots may have saved Blackwell’s life after a brutal beating. It was a crucial moment for Junior, as he started to emerge as a top contender. But even with success in the ring, his promotional side was often hindered by his father’s interference, which led to frustrating moments in his career.
Things came to a head when Junior was offered the chance to fight Gennady Golovkin, but the fight never materialized due to Senior’s demand for specific commentary arrangements and other demands. Afterward, Junior went on to secure the IBO title and became his own promoter in collaboration with ITV, making pay-per-view events with fights like the Arthur Abraham one.
Then came the World Boxing Super Series, where Eubank Jr. had the chance to prove himself at the highest level. His semifinal bout against George Groves showed that he had heart and power, but he lacked the technical skill to match Groves and ultimately lost the fight. It was a harsh reality check that left many wondering if Eubank Jr. had what it took to reach world champion status.
Despite this setback, Junior continued to move forward, seeking new trainers and fighting various opponents. He brought in legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr. as his trainer, but even with Jones’ influence, the results were mixed. Junior looked like a tribute act to Jones, and his performances didn’t always reflect the promise he had shown in earlier years.
In 2021, tragedy struck as Junior’s brother Seb passed away from a heart attack, casting a shadow over his career. As if to step back from his father’s overwhelming presence, Junior took control of his career more directly, yet it still seemed that he couldn’t escape the complex dynamics within the Eubank family.
His planned fight with Conor Benn was called off after both fighters failed drug tests, but Junior still pressed on. In January 2023, he fought Liam Smith in a heated grudge match, a fight that showcased his potential but ended with him suffering a brutal defeat. He was knocked down multiple times, and despite his best efforts to continue, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.
However, Eubank Jr. proved he had the heart of a fighter by quickly calling for a rematch. And, when the rematch came, he dominated. His performance was solid, and he beat Smith decisively. He had finally avenged the earlier loss, proving that he had what it takes to bounce back from adversity.
Despite all his success, setbacks, and odd decisions, Eubank Jr. remains one of boxing’s most intriguing characters. He’s been labeled a charlatan, avoided fights, and failed to chase world titles, but there’s no denying that he’s a fierce fighter with a massive heart. His career may have been messy, but it’s far from over, and his journey is still one to watch. Will he eventually fight the likes of Canelo Alvarez and prove himself at the top of the sport? Only time will tell.
