Chris Eubank Jr marked his return to Britain with victory over Marcus Morrison by unanimous decision with three scores of 98-92 on the undercard of Derek Chisora's heavyweight fight with Joseph Parker
Sunday 2 May 2021 08:30, UK
Chris Eubank Jr completed a punishing points victory over Marcus Morrison to stay on course for a big-name fight this year.
Eubank Jr ended a lengthy absence from the ring, hurting Morrison on a number of occasions before sealing victory with three scores of 98-92 in Manchester.
New trainer Roy Jones Jr had overseen preparations in America for Eubank Jr, who opted to test out his newly acquired skills instead of seeking the stoppage.
Eubank Jr postured and probed in the opening round, exchanging stiff jabs with Morrison.
But the 31-year-old troubled Morrison with his first genuine attack in the second round, peppering the Mancunian with punches in the corner.
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Morrison tried to gain respect with a counter right hand in the third, while Eubank Jr offered only a brief flurry of shots in the fourth.
But hurtful hooks were unloaded by Eubank Jr as he showed more spite in the fifth, then punished Morrison with a barrage of thudding shots in the sixth.
Blood was smeared around the nose of Morrison, who had to withstand another fierce flurry in the seventh, while Eubank Jr ignited a left-right combination in the eighth.
Morrison fired back with a crisp left hand in the ninth, sparking a fiery finale as both men traded at close quarters before Eubank Jr emerged with a clear victory on the scorecards.
Eubank Jr's promoter Kalle Sauerland called for fights with Gennadiy Golovkin, Ryota Murata, Demetrius Andrade and Kell Brook afterwards.
Eubank Jr reflected: "I boxed. I had him hurt bad in the second round and probably could have ended the fight.
"But I wanted rounds. I wanted to use some of the stuff that Roy Jones has taught me. Experience the instructions he was giving me.
"If I see an opening, I usually take it. But I'm here to learn with a new coach. You can't get better by knocking a guy out in the second round.
"I decided to keep him in there. He's a tough kid. Respect."
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