Chris Eubank Jnr training at Joe Gallagher’s gym as he prepares for Dmitry Chudinov

CHRIS EUBANK JNR came face-to-face with Moscowโ€™s Dmitry Chudinov in a London restaurant today ahead of their February 28 WBA Interim middleweight title fight at the O2.

The Brighton man was flanked by his father, the irrepressible Chris Eubank, and the duo spoke confidently about getting back on track following the tight November loss to Billy Joe Saunders.

โ€œI havenโ€™t seen too much of him [Chudinov] but I know enough,โ€ said Eubank Jnr. โ€œHeโ€™s a come-forward fighter, whoโ€™s strong, but heโ€™s going to be walking on to a lot of shots. Heโ€™s one-dimensional, unless heโ€™s changed.โ€

Prior to the loss to Saunders, Eubank spoke of not needing a game-plan because he would score a knockout. As a consequence, the 25-year-old gave away many of the early rounds by swinging recklessly at the British champion before recovering in the second half of the points defeat.

He accepts that approach was flawed.

โ€œIt was a mistake I will not be making again,โ€ he said.

His father also accepted the tactics, or lack of, were all wrong against Saunders.

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โ€œMy prediction is only that Junior will do what he does best which is box. If he can do that he can achieve anything in boxing.โ€

Frank Warren believes the Saunders test came too soon for Eubank Jnr but the lessons learned might prove invaluable. He hopes the winner of this fight will be matched with whoever triumphs in the proposed WBO title fight between Saunders and champion, Andy Lee.

โ€œIt was tough trying to make this fight [with Chudenov] but having spoken to Chris Snr, he didnโ€™t want his son to be going back to 10-round fights so we made this one,โ€ said Warren. โ€œThis is a big, big moment in his career, and itโ€™s a big if, but if he comes through it, it sets up some big fights in the UK and in the future.โ€

Eubankโ€™s trainer Ronnie Davies was also present, nursing injured ribs sustained in a fall. The veteran coach has been forced to take a break from his duties as a result, and the fighter has been training in Manchester โ€“ at Joe Gallagherโ€™s gym โ€“ sparring the likes of Paul and Liam Smith. But Daviesโ€™ role has not been compromised.

โ€œThereโ€™s no new trainer,โ€ said Junior. โ€œIโ€™m just there for the sparring.โ€

Davies added: โ€œI speak with Joe Gallagher every day and I find out how the sparring has gone.โ€

Chudinov, alongside manager Vlad Hrunov, was regularly urged to play the โ€˜bad guyโ€™ by Eubank who seemed eager to trigger some friction.

โ€œHave you ever heard of the term nice guys finish last?โ€ Eubank asked while the Russians were complimenting his father. โ€œYou canโ€™t be the good guy because youโ€™re fighting an Englishman in England. Being a nice guy isnโ€™t going to build headlines. You need to be the bad guy, tell them [the media] how youโ€™re going to take my head off. Say something to build this fight.โ€

The 28-year-old was not interested. โ€œLetโ€™s find out on February 28. Right now weโ€™re just meeting. I will beat you. Thatโ€™s it.โ€

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