Saturday 2 July 2016 08:50, UK
Chris Eubank Jr appears to be on a collision course with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin. Can he upset the Kazakh?
The Brighton fighter (23-1-KO18) has been calling for a bout with the WBA Super, WBC and IBF world champion for some time and reiterated the offer in the wake of an emphatic British title defence against Tom Doran on June 25.
Golovkin (35-0-KO32) is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet and was in particularly ruthless form last time out; taking less than two rounds to demolish Dominic Wade in Inglewood, California.
There appears to be little doubt that many feel the step is coming early for Eubank Jr and he'll certainly hear the opening bell a clear underdog, so do our panel of experts give him any hope of pulling off a victory that would send shockwaves through the sport?
Let's find out...
The only person at middleweight currently who has the ability, mindset and the nerve to beat Golovkin is Chris Eubank Jnr.
I've seen him up close, I've sparred with him, I've watched him spar with Carl Froch and George Groves, who are both a weight above him, and he always gives a great account of himself. For me, Chris Eubank Jnr is the only fighter capable of beating Golovkin.
I'm a big fan of his, I've watched him develop and progress over the years and I was commentating for Sky at ringside for his last fight and he looked brilliant. He looked like a proper pound-for-pound fighter.
Okay, it was just for the British title, but to fight for the British title and to have such a big gulf in ability, power, speed and every department? He was so far in front of Tom Doran, it was quite sickeningly one-sided. As a fight fan watching, it was great to watch. But to be in the other guy's corner, it was a bad night for the poor lad.
When Eubank Jr gets bashed up by Golovkin, hopefully he's going to come back down and rebuild at domestic level. I see myself being a king at domestic level in a short space of time so hopefully that'll be a big fight.
Eubank Jr and Golovkin would be an interesting fight for a few rounds. From what I gather about Eubank Jr, he won't show Golovkin much respect. I'm a nine-fight novice and I've seen chinks in Eubank Jr I know I can exploit, so if I can see them then I'm pretty sure Golovkin will be able to.
After three, four or five rounds, Golovkin will start getting to him and I think Golovkin will stop Eubank Jr sometime between the sixth and ninth.
It seems soon. There are four world champions and they're going for the best. Not only that but he's probably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. It shows ambition and confidence on the part of the Eubanks but they also know it's win-win. If Eubank Jr beats Golovkin, he's an absolute superstar and if he loses, it's to one of the best fighters in the world. You can still get that rematch with Billy Joe Saunders and be in line for another world title shot. I think their confidence is genuine and I think there's real intent behind what they're saying.
For me, there's only one winner. There may be some close rounds at the start but by the midway point, I think Golovkin will nail him with one and it'll be all over. Eubank Jr can't expect to be pushing Golovkin back because if that doesn't work then he's in trouble. When Eubank Jr is fighting the guys down at domestic level, he takes one to land five but you can't afford to do that against Golovkin. You don't want to trade with Golovkin because you'll come off second best. Eubank Jr has his uppercut but he's going to have to be clever with how he gets in a position to throw it.
I think Eubank Jr is a good world-level fighter and can give Golovkin a good fight. I would see Golovkin getting the job done but I wouldn't write Eubank Jr off.
I've met them and spoken to the Eubank's a couple of times and they're okay. I have no problem with them and I think Eubank Jr is a world level fighter. I like to see him box, he brings something to the sport and is entertaining. I think he can go a long way and I also think he's got a chance if and when he takes on Golovkin.
I don't think Eubank Jr can beat Golovkin and it's not because I don't think he's a good fighter - I do, but I just believe that at this moment in time I can't see anybody beating Golovkin at middleweight. Eubank Jr lost to Billy Joe Saunders and although that experience will have benefitted him in the long run, I don't think it's enough to beat somebody like Golovkin.
I don't see Golovkin losing until he ages or unless he moves up and the natural size difference is too much for him.
Eubank Jr is a very good fighter. I was in his corner with the stool when he boxed Spike O'Sullivan and then obviously Tom Doran had a fight against him. I was very close up to him on both occasions and there's no doubt that he's a good fighter, vicious and ferocious.
Having said that, just as there was a gap between where Tom had been fighting and where Eubank Jr is, there's another gap between Eubank Jr and Golovkin. I know Golovkin can be hit but it's when he feels that he can give his opponent the shots to get off his own or give his man confidence. The little things he does with his feet and his timing, range knowledge would be a huge difference in the fight.
I think it's just about to levels. Fair play to Eubank Jr for wanting to fight the best out there but I don't believe he wins the fight. He's as good as any challenge for Golovkin if not better but I don't believe he's the man to beat him stylistically.
I think it would better for Eubank Jr to fight Murray, if Murray comes back down. For me, Eubank Jr doesn't quite deserve Golovkin at this point and I think Murray would beat Eubank Jr to be honest. Eubank Jr gets caught quite a lot. I think he's good and says the right things. It's a good show and all that but as far as what he's done so far, he hasn't set me alight as if he's in Golovkin's class.
Murray is world class and I'd rather see Eubank Jr fight him. If Eubank Jr can beat Murray soundly then he'll be bang on for Golovkin. Right now, I think Eubank Jr would get taken apart by Golovkin. It's an interesting fight but do I think he could win? No. Do I think Eubank Jr could beat Murray? Probably not.
