Is Eubank Jr. Really A Villain? — ‘I’ve Been Through Too Much’

Chris Eubank Jr. has given fans insight into his mindset amid the perception that he has not always been likeable. 

Eubank Jr. is preparing for the biggest fight of his career when he faces Conor Benn this weekend. He is the favorite heading into this fight. Benn will jump up from a lower weight class having come up from 154 pounds to 160. Eubank has not always been the most popular figure based on the perception around him. He has often been accused of not achieving enough in the sport by living off his father, Chris Eubank Sr.’s name.

Eubank Jr.

Eubank’s biggest accomplishment has arguably been his IBO Middleweight Title. While the IBO is a belt, many do not consider it as big as the other governing bodies, such as the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF. His biggest career win was against Liam Smith when he stopped him in the rematch. However, that result has an asterisk over it based on Smith’s condition. Smith struggled to make the weight for the fight, whilst he also suffered an injury during the bout, meaning he was not 100%.

Eubank Jr. has also consistently been linked with big names such as GGG and Canelo Alvarez. However, his failure to make those fights have led to accusations that he is merely using bigger names to raise his profile. Some have also questioned his decision to fight Benn. Eubank could easily have targeted other bouts at 160 or above in search of a title. Those wins would arguably do more for his legacy, but a victory against Benn offers him one of the biggest paydays with the opportunity of securing a rematch too.

However, it’s important to know that Eubank has been through a lot of struggles. He has consistently had to live under the shadow of his father, who is not on board with the Benn fight. Eubank Sr. has made it clear that he will not attend, raising concerns over the safety of this bout. Eubank Jr. has also previously spoken about getting involved with gangs during his youth.

Eubank Reacts

Things have also not been helped by the passing of his brother, Sebastian, which has also impacted Chris Eubank Sr. very heavily. And while Eubank Jr. does get praised for his press conferences, outside of the sport, he has been accused of coming across as cold. He admitted that boxing has made him a certain way based on what he has been through.

“Life’s been what life really is. Trials, tribulations, ups, downs, successes and failures. One thing I’ve learned I’m actually very good at is dealing with things that you never see coming. No matter how hard they are, no matter how shocking they are, I always find a way to stay on track, to stay focused, to stay committed to the cause. That’s something I pride myself on. I don’t want to say I’m cold.

“Some people may see me as that, or may come across as that, but if I am cold, then that’s what boxing made me. I’ve been through too much, I’ve seen too much, inside and outside of the sport, for me to be an emotional man. I’ve dealt with too many things, and now it’s kind of like…I guess I don’t have the feelings that most normal human beings have in certain situations, especially in high-stress situations or hostile situations. I don’t react, there’s a certain aura about the way I do things and the things that I say that people seem to be attracted to. That’s just me,” Eubank Jr. said 

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