Eubank Jr. Says DeGale Should Be Embarrassed By Having Teeth Knocked Out
Eubank Jr. Says DeGale Should Be Embarrassed By Having Teeth Knocked Out
British star Chris Eubank Jr. levels harsh criticism at countryman James DeGale for his performance against Badou Jack.
Many sympathized with James DeGale after having his front teeth knocked out during his grueling super-middleweight unification bout against Badou Jack this past weekend, but not quite everybody.
Chris Eubank Jr has long been a rival of his fellow British fighter, and during the early hours of Sunday morning following the fight, he sent his own little message across the pond to Brooklyn, New York, to let DeGale know exactly what he thought of his efforts against Jack.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/ChrisEubankJr/status/820495621190721537" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Speaking exclusively to FloBoxing last evening, Eubank explained their rivalry and why he had such bitter feelings towards DeGale.
"We are not friends to put it lightly," Eubank said. "He's somebody that's always been on my radar, and it all started when I went to his gym just as I was starting my professional career. We had a sparring session and I gave him a complete pasting. I beat him up and down the ring for eight rounds, and because of that, after the sparring session he basically told me to get out of his gym.
"He was very disrespectful to me and my team because he was upset. So then I let everyone know what happened, you know? Usually, what happens in sparring, stays in the gym, but because he was disrespectful towards me I told people about it, I told them what happened. Obviously, he wasn't happy about that and since then we haven't been seeing eye-to-eye."
With the tension brewing between them for many years, Eubank believes the fight will one day happen, and when it does, he thinks it will not only be a massive occasion domestically, but also worldwide.
Jan 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Badou Jack lands a punch to the face of James Regale during super middleweight world championship unification boxing match at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
"The rivalry has grown and grown and words have been exchanged," Eubank said. "I think when it does happen it will be a super fight. It will be a great fight for the fans to see because it is a genuine rivalry.
"I know I can beat him 100 percent. Once I win this IBO super-middleweight title, I'm coming for all the other belts. Badou Jack, he's also on my radar--all these guys are on my radar."
Asked what he made of DeGale's performance on Saturday and his status in the weight class, Eubank said he wasn't impressed and that he shouldn't be classed as one of the best in the world at super-middleweight.
"DeGale is seen as one of the best, if not the best super-middleweight in the world, and I think that's embarrassing in my opinion," Eubank said. "As everybody saw the other night, the guy is just easy to hit.
"He comes out after a 12-round fight and he's got no teeth--that's embarrassing in my opinion. You're a world champion and you have no defense."
By Jim Edwards
Chris Eubank Jr has long been a rival of his fellow British fighter, and during the early hours of Sunday morning following the fight, he sent his own little message across the pond to Brooklyn, New York, to let DeGale know exactly what he thought of his efforts against Jack.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/ChrisEubankJr/status/820495621190721537" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Speaking exclusively to FloBoxing last evening, Eubank explained their rivalry and why he had such bitter feelings towards DeGale.
"We are not friends to put it lightly," Eubank said. "He's somebody that's always been on my radar, and it all started when I went to his gym just as I was starting my professional career. We had a sparring session and I gave him a complete pasting. I beat him up and down the ring for eight rounds, and because of that, after the sparring session he basically told me to get out of his gym.
"He was very disrespectful to me and my team because he was upset. So then I let everyone know what happened, you know? Usually, what happens in sparring, stays in the gym, but because he was disrespectful towards me I told people about it, I told them what happened. Obviously, he wasn't happy about that and since then we haven't been seeing eye-to-eye."
With the tension brewing between them for many years, Eubank believes the fight will one day happen, and when it does, he thinks it will not only be a massive occasion domestically, but also worldwide.
Jan 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Badou Jack lands a punch to the face of James Regale during super middleweight world championship unification boxing match at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
"The rivalry has grown and grown and words have been exchanged," Eubank said. "I think when it does happen it will be a super fight. It will be a great fight for the fans to see because it is a genuine rivalry.
"I know I can beat him 100 percent. Once I win this IBO super-middleweight title, I'm coming for all the other belts. Badou Jack, he's also on my radar--all these guys are on my radar."
Asked what he made of DeGale's performance on Saturday and his status in the weight class, Eubank said he wasn't impressed and that he shouldn't be classed as one of the best in the world at super-middleweight.
"DeGale is seen as one of the best, if not the best super-middleweight in the world, and I think that's embarrassing in my opinion," Eubank said. "As everybody saw the other night, the guy is just easy to hit.
"He comes out after a 12-round fight and he's got no teeth--that's embarrassing in my opinion. You're a world champion and you have no defense."
By Jim Edwards