Eubank Jr reveals why mooted Canelo showdown fell through

August 13, 2024

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CHRIS EUBANK JR swerved a September showdown with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez because he did not want to face the Mexican off the back of a year out.

The Brighton middleweight last month emerged as a surprise candidate to face Canelo on Mexican independence weekend.

However Canelo instead opted to take on Edgar Berlanga, his WBA mandatory challenger, on that date despite lengthy talks with Eubank and his new promoters Boxxer.

Now Eubank, who does not have his next fight in the books yet, has broken his silence on the situation and revealed he decided against the fight because of his own inactivity.

The 34-year-old, who is 33-3 (24), has not boxed since he beat Liam Smith in their rematch on September 2, which was only his second outing in two and a half years.

Now Eubank is targeting a 2025 encounter with the Mexican icon once he has some more momentum.

He told Sky Sports: “I think May next year. We were in talks with him and his team for his next fight but we couldn’t come to an agreement. It was very last minute and the numbers weren’t right, the business wasn’t right and I’ve been out of the ring for a year.

“This is not a fight that you take after having a year lay-off. I’m not going in there for a payday like so many other fighters have, I’m going in there to win. I want to give myself my best chance to win possible.

“That means being able to come off consistent fights, consistent camps and not going into the biggest fight in world boxing at the moment off the back of a year lay-off.

“So I think activity, consistency over the next six months and get this man in May.”