Chris Eubank Jr claims Conor Benn has replaced him as the pantomime villain this Christmas.
Eubank believes the collapse of their much-anticipated clash because of Benn's two failed drugs tests has transformed how they are viewed by the British sporting public. Eubank knows he was seen by many as the bad guy going into the aborted catchweight clash while Benn was everyone’s hero.
He feels the roles have been reversed because of Benn's two positive doping tests and claims the fans will cheer him into the ring and boo his rival if they finally meet. “Everything happens for a reason and even though that fight didn’t happen, I probably gained more fans than if I had just gone in there and beaten him, which is crazy to say and think,” he told Mirror Sport .
“But I think that’s what has happened and now that fight will be twice as big whenever it does happen. I try to look at it in that positive light, rather than the negative of, 'I went through a whole camp, cut all that weight for no reason'. There’s some good that came of it.
“I have no illusions, I know I would have got booed into that arena on the night. Now, if we were to fight tomorrow, I don’t think I would be the one getting booed. That just shows you how quickly people’s opinions and emotions can switch. It’s hard to fool the public.”
Eubank, 33, who is 32-2-0, will have been out of the ring for almost a year when he faces Liam Smith at middleweight at Manchester’s AO Arena on January 21. Yet he refuses to be bitter about losing a year at this key time in his career when he had hoped to fight for a world title for a second time in 2022.
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“Sure, it’s always hard having a fight cancelled, especially when it’s literally two days before and such a high-profile fight with so many people looking forward to it,” he said. “Is it something I’ve had to deal with before in the past? Yes. It’s frustrating, but boxing doesn’t always go your way, it’s never a smooth ride, there are always bumps in the road.”
Beating Smith could land Eubank a world title shot and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman says his organisation may make it an eliminator for the belt held by Jarmall Charlo. Eubank, who is ranked No.2 by the WBC, is trying his best to enjoy Christmas with his family while he trains for Smith and he claims the former WBO super-welterweight champ will be an easier fight for him than Benn.
“I think it’s easier,” he said. “I’m not just saying that to get under his skin. I’m just calling it how I see it. Benn’s got that fire, he’s undefeated, he’s got that desire to prove everybody wrong, he’s got that youth. All these things that Liam doesn’t have. He’s got experience, but so do I. I just don’t think he will be able to compete with me when the going gets tough.”
Chris Eubank Junior v Liam Smith on January 21 at Manchester’s AO Arena is live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office. Tickets are on sale now.
