Chris Eubank Jr is still yet to win a major recognised world title, but he may soon secure a second shot at doing so.
Back in 2018, Eubank Jr came up short against George Groves in the solitary title challenge of his career, but he remains as one of British boxing’s household names, his two fights against Conor Benn last year further increasing his celebrity.
There were rumours that Eubank Jr would retire after defeat to Benn in their November rematch, but the Brighton-based operator has instead vowed to continue in the sport, with a catchweight clash against Australia’s Michael Zerafa one of the possible next options.
Yet, speaking with Seconds Out, WBO Interim middleweight champion Denzel Bentley named Eubank as one of three domestic rivals on his hit list, after his stoppage win against Endry Saavedra on Saturday night.
“I would like to fight Liam Smith and defend it against him. Hopefully I can get them big fights now.
“I know that Chris Eubank Jnr is moving up but he is fighting at 164lbs. So, maybe he is testing the waters and might come back down.
“Those two are the biggest names above me in the division right now, so I would love to fight either of those two – and Brad Pauls just put on a great performance the other day.
“He should have a world title shot next, if he goes and wins that then maybe we can get something going as well.”
Bentley could find himself upgraded to full world champion in the near future, with reigning WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly currently serving a suspension due to a failed drugs test, but also believed to be considering a move to super-middleweight upon his return.
As a result, Bentley went on to admit that he hopes a potential shot at the full WBO middleweight world title could tempt Eubank into a return to the middleweight division.
“He [Eubank] is someone who has always wanted to be a world champion, so maybe this [belt] could be the ticket to get that fight.
“No disrespect by the way, I am a big fan of Eubank, I think that he is an amazing fighter, he has had a great career, but those are the fights that I want. I think that those are history-making fights for myself.”
Details surrounding Eubank’s return are set to be announced soon, with Bentley hoping to be the man in the opposite corner.
