Chris Eubank Jr wants Canelo next: ‘I can’t think of any bigger money fights’

Fresh off a career defining victory Chris Eubank Jr is back on the front foot of his career and is eyeing up the biggest fight of his life against pound-for-pound great, undisputed world champion and biggest name in boxing Canelo Alvarez.

By Rhys Lawrence

Chris Eubank Jr (Left) eyes up potential mega fight with undisputed king Canelo Alvarez. (Photo: Sky Sports Boxing)

Chris Eubank Jr enters the twilight of his career with serious momentum following his revenge over former world champion Liam Smith with a tenth-round stoppage win on Sept. 2 at Manchester Arena. Now Eubank Jr looks to take another leap and fight one of the best boxers of his generation Saul Alvarez to capture his first world title.

After silencing his critics with a shut-out performance over Liam Smith, Chris Eubank Jr is already looking at what’s next during a limited window for world title ambition. Known for his unique personality similarly to his fathers, Chris seems to do things in a style befitting of his character. Calling out Canelo would match that description.

“Canelo goes where the money is and I can’t think of any bigger money fights than me versus Canelo. I know he wants to fight in the UK. It’s a huge market.”

“They call him the Brit slayer and people know I’m not going to go down without a fight I’m not going to get in there and freeze up.”

“There’s not many guys there that people would like to see fight more than me and Canelo Alvarez.”

A surprising callout from Chris Eubank Jr whose name has been mentioned with the likes of Conor Benn and Gennady Golovkin before Canelo Alvarez was ever brought into conversation. Calculated as ever Eubank Jr is eyeing up the undisputed super middleweight champion but recognises it may be difficult to land the fight.

“It’s hard to target him. You can’t target Canelo Alvarez, whenever he wants to come and fight, he’ll fight. He’ll look at the options and do what he wants.”

Being an active great of any sport delivers its perks and that rings true for Canelo. Eubank Jr the obvious B-side in this matchup, understands this.

“He does make the rules. He does what he wants. He moves up in weight. He comes down in weight. He holds belts in different divisions and he does all the things that other fighters could just never do.”

Somewhat of an impossible challenge for Eubank Jr facing the undisputed champion at a heavier weight of 168lbs for his second attempt on the world stage. But with new-found confidence, Eubank Jr welcomes the challenge.

“I’m going to go out there and take it to him and that’s what people want to see and that’s the fights he needs to be in. Whether he’ll accept a fight like that is to be seen.

Watch Sky Sports Boxing's exclusive interview with Chris Eubank Jr here

From world to British level where Chris Eubank Jr fits back in the mix following his dominant victory over Liam Smith. However, the Brighton native believes he’s not just back in the mix but now out in front.

“I’m in the power position now. Everybody wants a piece now.”

A win that would keep his career alive many argued during fight week; Chris upon reflection had his own opinion on the shallow side of boxing’s most frustrating narrative.

“It’s insane how fickle the sport is. But the truest quote of all when it comes to boxing is, you’re only good as your last fight. When I’d just lost, that’s what I was as good as. A loser. A guy who’s full of s***. Who talked a bunch but couldn’t back it up. Now I’ve backed it up.”

“Last week, it was like Eubank’s on his way out. He’s done, he’s finished. He’s about to get banged out by Smith again we’re never going to hear from him again and now I’m the No.1 guy.”

Revenge tasted sweet but it had been sour for Eubank as he was forced to let the loss to Smith marinate for months.

“That first fight just feels like a bad dream. It doesn’t feel like it happened or it matters anymore. Which is great. Because it was a dark time for me. So it’s great to be out of that.”

Now back in the winning column. Eubank Jr is happy to add a new page of this ongoing chapter against Liam Smith. Whether a trilogy fight is on the cards or not, Eubank left no doubt that it was revenge second time out.

“I told Liam (Smith) before this fight: this is all going to be a dream at the end of Saturday night. Now it is. Now no one remembers what happened in that first fight. All they remember is what happened last Saturday when I dominated him for 10 rounds.”

Watch Chris Eubank Jr's clinic on Liam Smith. (Video: Sky Sports Boxing YouTube Channel)