ON Saturday (December 7) in New York Chris Eubank Junior has his first bout since defeating former super-middleweight champion James DeGale in February. To box Russia’s Matt Korobov at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn Eubank has returned to middleweight.
On Friday he scaled 159½lbs. Korobov was 159lbs.
“I feel great at this weight. I was eating all throughout the night last night, I was sipping on water all day today. This is my natural weight. I’m not fighting a guy that’s 20 pounds heavier than me on the night, now I’m fighting a guy that’s my size and it’s going to show. I’m going to go out there and I’m going to stop this kid,” Eubank declared. “I was just letting him know what’s coming. I’m not out here to play. This is my first fight in the US, my first fight in New York. It’s a dream come true. I’m going to come out here and make an explosive statement to the middleweight division. And then I’m coming for all the belts after that.”
He had explained, “My pro debut here in the US has been a long time coming. It’s been a dream of mine to come out here and perform for you guys. Korobov is talking about decisions, but he will be stopped before the 12th round.
“I’m going to come for all the middleweight belts after this fight. I want all the big names. I’m 30-years-old and in my prime right now. Korobov is a great introductory fight for me in the US, then after that, it’s open season.”
Korobov however warned, “It’s added motivation that it feels like Eubank is looking past me. But the big motivation is that this is a title fight [for a WBA Interim strap]. I’m really happy to be here again and I’m ready to show and prove that I’m ready to be the next WBA champion.”