Former champion Chris Eubank, the father and trainer for IBO super middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. (25-1, 19 KOs), believes all of the top fighters who refused entry into the World Boxing Super Series "are suspect."
Several boxers have entered the WBSS super middleweight tournament - where millions of dollars in prize money will be at stake.
Among the boxers who entered at 168-pounds include - WBA champion George Groves, Eubank Jr., undefeated Jamie Cox, former champion Juergen Braehmer, undefeated Callum Smith, undefeated Erik Skoglund and undefeated Avni Yildirim.
In the first round of the tournament, Eubank Jr. will defend his title against Yildirim. The main goal for Eubank Jr. is to get his hands on Groves' WBA belt.
Two of the top boxers who are missing from the tournament include WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez and IBF champion James DeGale. Ramirez will return in August in a mandatory defense against Jesse Hart, while DeGale is slated to return before the year is out after suffering several injuries in January against Badou Jack.
Eubank Sr. has taken DeGale's refusal as something personal - because four of his countrymen are in the tourney (Groves, Cox, Smith, Eubank).
“The current boxing aficionados, what they are saying is that perhaps we are not real. But the World Boxing Super Series gives any fighter the platform to prove what they truly are,” Eubank Sr. said to Boxing News.
“There is no escape and the best fight the best. We cannot dodge anybody and they can’t dodge us. Those who did no enter the tournament? They are suspect. Who are we talking about? James DeGale. Suspect.
2023-10-19 00:12:16
