w/ Niall Hickman @ The Express..... HE has a name which could send a chill down the bones of even the bravest boxer, but Chris Eubank Jnr is determined to carve out a reputation for himself. Eubank make his eagerly-awaited professional debut last November in Manchester - a quick stoppage victory over hopelessly outclassed opposition - and showed flashes of his fathers lightning reflexes in an assured performance. He looks like his former world champion father and their fighting styles are similar, but Eubank insists there are certain things he will never do in the name of his famous parent. "I can guarantee you will never see me wearing jodhpurs and a monocle," he laughed. "Never. Everything else is possible, but not those." On a more serious note, he is very close to his father - "as well as my mum, two brothers and sister" - but would never go out of his way to copy his famous parent. "I am very much my own person," he said. "But at the same time, we are all products of where we come from. I love my mum and dad very much and even though they split up when I was young they are both equally a part of my life. Ive learned so much from both of them. "As for being a boxer, thats pretty much all I ever wanted to be. I have my own style and my own way of doing things. Sure, I have watched my dads fights on video and I like seeing how he boxed. There are similarities between us, but there are also lots of differences. I would never try and copy him, but can I take out the best bits that he had and use them, of course I can?" Eubank took an unusal route towards his pro debut as he based himself in Las Vegas as an amateur for nearly four years in order to learn the ropes. Similarly, his father moved to New Yorks Bronx when he was 16 and honed his skills in Big Apple gyms. Eubank, who won 24 of his 26 amateur contests, said: "I feel so lucky because the sparring and training out there is unbelievably good. I have gone in the ring with the likes of Zab Judah, Montell Griffin and Chad Dawson, fighters who I would never have got close to had I not gone to America. "People say to me why didnt I go and try and make the Olympic squad, but to be honest it was never that important to me. I always just wanted to turn pro. Being an amateur never really meant as much. It was just a stepping stone to the pro ranks. Also, there is a lot of politics involved in amateur boxing and I didnt want to get involved in that." As a young man growing up in the gaming capital of the world there must have been distractions, but if there were Eubank denied himself. "I would be lying if I said I didnt go out a few Saturdays as Im not perfect, but whenever I did there was always a nagging feeling that I was letting myself down and would pay for it. Im just not into being a party animal. Id rather be in the gym any day of the week. Thats where I enjoy myself. "It was pretty tough out there with no family of friends, but I know it was for a reason. My dad is a big believer in that you have to learn the hard way and you know what, he is right." His pro debut - Eubank came out to the Simply the Best theme tune, jumped the ropes, posed and stared at his opponent - didnt tell us whether he will emulate his father, who lit up British boxing for 13 years - but it showed he has a natural talent very much worth watching. He fights next on February 18 against an opponent yet to be named and it is fair to say Eubank is itching to get back in the ring. "I am counting down the days," he said. "When you live, sleep and breathe for something you want it all the time. "I know I will forever be linked with my fathers achievements, but I hope one day people will concentrate on what I have done. Im proud of what my father did, very proud, but I am just me. I am my own person and my own boxer. Nothing you see about me is forced or false. I hope people take me for what I am. Im sure they will, even though it may take a while." **Eubanks next fight on February 18 will be live and exclusive on Channel Five. [url]http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/299570/Chris-Eubank-Jnr-I-ll-do-it-my-way[/url] [url]http://www.express.co.uk/blogs/post/284/Ringside/2012/02/01/299445/Chris+Eubank+Jnr+to+follow+in+father%27s+footsteps[/url]
I thought he came across very well in that interview. i imagine he was probably forced into doing the simply the bestr angle. hopefully he drops it for the next fight. maybe do it again if fighting for a title.
Nice article, i have no issue with lad coming out to Simply Best and doing few things his dad did if they work from him. Simply Best was and is a great entrance brings back memories of my early days as a fan. All best to the kid, we'll see what he's about soon enough.
If all the Sr-esque nonsense draws the casuals in on Ch5, then that's great. We should be able to see past that and concentrate on Jr the boxer.
I watched his debut fight with the missus on TV. When the camera panned over to the entrance just before the ring walk, where Eubank Snr was standing in front of his son, the missus piped up with "**** me he doesn't half look like his dad!". Bless her.
