Eubank Sr says BJS/DeGale easy pickings and Haye bang Bellew (great Q&A)

Chris Eubank Q&A


On Tommy Hearns, Steve Collins, Haye-Bellew, Mayweather-McGregor and Much More


On your Twitter page, you say you fought so many guys who were more talented than you and always came out on top due to persistence. Who are some of the guys in mind?

Calzaghe is one, I finished the stronger and over 15 rounds would've stopped Joe.

All of the Afro-American imports I fought in England as a professional were United States Golden Gloves Champions, so they definitely had more natural talent than me, like Randy Smith, John Jarvis, Ron Essett and Lindell Holmes; more fluidity than I. I only got as far as the semi-final of the New York Golden Gloves.


What about (Nigel) Benn?

Nigel Benn had born power, a gifted athlete. Michael Watson, great balance. Dan Schommer, great positioning. Nigel in our second fight (was) so elusive I had to keep swinging away to nick a draw. All of these being instinctive traits from these fighters. I was more of a trained fighter. And I trained myself!

I bested some of the best New York amateurs like Dennis Milton and Andre Coles by out-jabbing and out-moving them on activity alone, out-working them in essence where I shouldn't have lived with them on talent. It took me years and years to develop the combinations they had.

All I did was persist. On the other side, there were Tony Thornton and Henry Wharton who had phenomenal persistence, but flat feet that I could move around.

Steve Collins in our second fight was the ultimate in persistence and stayed on his toes. Much respect to Steve for beating me fair and square in my 25 to 29 pomp, because he didn't have close to my ability.


There is also a photo of yourself and Tommy Hearns, how would that fight have panned out?

Bob Arum offered me the Thomas Hearns fight after I beat Benn in 1990. My response was that I wasn't fit enough to tie his shoe laces.


How do you see the Haye-Bellew British superfight panning out?

'Superfight'? David has completed only one single completed round since West Ham against Chisora many years ago, and Bellew has never even fought at heavyweight. I think both are fantastic sellers of fights, they drum up controversy, which is good.

David has a right hand that sent 18-stone men like John Ruiz and Audley Harrison head over heels. The last thing to leave a fighter in his power. He still looks fast. He was always elusive. I mean Tony Bellew was making 12 and a half stone until recently, and David Haye is a muscular 16 stone or so.

The writing must be on the wall.


Why did you never relocate to America or fight in Vegas?

I lived in America from 1982 to 1988 and relocated to England to conquer here. Mike Tyson was naturally the man I looked to - being from where I'm from and my age and achieving what he was - and Mike Tyson was destroyed by the glitz and glam of Vegas and so forth.

I had a wife and children. I wanted people around me I know I could trust and not end up in a prison cell.


Do you live in regret over the Triple G falling through for Junior?

My son was offered millions and millions. He's not ready for that sort of money. Look at Mike Tyson. Look at Tyson Fury. He'd of won the fight in spectacular fashion but it would've been the death of him.

His time will come.


Will he beat Billy Joe Saunders in 2017?

Billy Joe won't go near Junior. Come on. Billy Joe Saunders in my time would've been brushed aside by me in four rounds. And six rounds for James DeGale. From 1992 to 1995 I could win rounds with 10 punches thrown, leads to the body and counters to the head; all 120 of which picture-perfect. If I wanted to lead to the head at any time it was spectacular and bodies were shifted.

Junior is better than I was. He smokes Saunders and corners DeGale to punish him. These are mismatches. DeGale won't touch him.


What are your thoughts on McGregor vs Mayweather in a boxing ring?

Connor has never had a boxing match. Floyd Mayweather is the best boxer of the last 15 years. What more needs to be said? McGregor won't lay a glove on Floyd.