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Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr. to headline London card

Fighters Network
02
Apr
Mutual respect between Saunders and Eubank but the bad blood is boiling again - Photo: Julian Finne

Mutual respect between Saunders and Eubank but the bad blood is boiling again. Photo by Julian Finne

 

British middleweight rivals Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr. confirmed at a press conference in London, England, on Thursday that they will headline a show at Wembley Arena on May 9 in separate bouts and the pair could be closing in on a lucrative rematch.

Saunders, rated No. 9 by THE RING at 160 pounds, will square off against an opponent to be announced, while his rival takes on a relatively unknown Australian by the name of Les Sherrington.

Eubank (19-1, 14 knockouts) suffered his first career defeat at the hands of Saunders in a British, Commonwealth and European title bout, last November and is more than anxious to even the score.



“I’ll fight ‘Average Joe’ anytime, anywhere,” said the brash 25-year-old.

“The judges believed that he won last time but look at how he did it. He chose to run and steal the rounds rather than stand and fight. I challenge him next time to stand toe-to-toe and fight and let’s see how he fares in the center of the ring, rather than running around it.”

Eubank bounced back from defeat by stopping Russian Dmitry Chudinov in the 12th and final round, then immediately challenged his conqueror to a return fight. Saunders, however, has other options including a mandatory position with the WBO and seems to be enjoying the cat-and-mouse routine.

“He narrowly escaped [being stopped] last time but I would absolutely destroy Eubank if we met again,” said the savvy southpaw, who is unbeaten in 21 bouts. “First I need to win my next fight and then I’ve got the winner of Andy Lee and Peter Quillin, who fight on April 11.

“After that, I’ll see what Eubank has been up to and decide if he’s worthy of a shot. I did say I’d give him a rematch but it will be on my terms. I’ve shut him up once and embarrassed him in front of the British public. Next time I’ll knock him out and leave him desperate.

Saunders continued, “The first thing for me to do is get back in the ring and show that I’m ready to fight Lee or Quillin. I want that world title next, so whoever I face on May 9 is in for a lot of pain.”

 

The May 9 show if promoted by Queensberry Promotions and tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk and SSE Arena, Wembley, on 0844 815 0815 or www.ssearena.co.uk (Disabled Line 0208 782 5629).

 

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

 

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