BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has offered Chris Eubank Jnr an 80/20 purse split for a rematch of their 2014 encounter during a social media back-and-forth with the Brightonian’s father.
After Chris Eubank Snr suggested Saunders, who outpointed Jnr in 2014, was trying to avoid a return, Billy Joe swiftly retorted.
Eubank then referenced the fact that Saunders has not fought since he won the WBO world middleweight title from Andy Lee in December. “Relinquish or fight,” he wrote.
Then – strangely – Eubank threw a compliment Saunders’ way and refuted claims he is a “coward.” However that quickly turned into an insult when he dubbed Saunders “smart” for supposedly avoiding his son.
@ChrisEubank you hv to defeat a worthy champion to hold a world title as you know! Earn the right to fight
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) August 15, 2016
Saunders’ promoter, Frank Warren, has previously spoken about his frustrations trying to make the rematch, claiming that the Eubanks made far too many demands for it to come to fruition.
Billy Joe even revealed that he was once sat with Warren while trying to speak to team Eubank.
@ChrisEubank you wouldn’t sign the contract I was at franks waiting for your lawyer to call and we called him 3 times wouldn’t pick up
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) August 15, 2016
After some more verbal sparring, Saunders got down to business and laid out what financial terms are required for what would be a voluntary title defence – an 80/20 split.
@ChrisEubank in boxing you don’t go Bk after success you go forward ‘but if you want 80/20 split then it’s on
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) August 15, 2016
Given that the Eubanks have supposedly priced themselves out of previous fights, it seemed unlikely they would take Saunders up on such an offer, however Eubank Snr took it as solid and now feels a verbal (or digital?) agreement is in place.
@bjsaunders_ has agreed the @ChrisEubankJr fight He has given his word over social media which proves he’s no coward https://t.co/VUo1gHEphr
— Christopher Eubank (@ChrisEubank) August 15, 2016
Saunders was slated to appear on the Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith undercard in Texas on September 17, though reports have emerged claiming he will no longer feature on the show. He also posted on his twitter account messages expressing an interest in fighting the Golovkin-Brook winner, or Canelo.
Eubank Jnr, the current British champion, has been ordered to defend his title against Tommy Langford, a fight for which Warren recently won the purse bids.
