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Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

Three Potential Next Opponents for Chris Eubank Jr.

Originally posted on Big Fight Weekend | By Ricky Carroll | Last updated 9/4/23

Chris Eubank Jr. (33-3, 24 KOs) gained revenge in impressive style, stopping Liam Smith (33-4-1, 20 KOs). Eubank Jr won via a tenth-round TKO over his Liverpudlian opponent at the AO Arena in Manchester, England, on September 2. Eubank Jr. has enjoyed a career full of ups and downs. The highlights were his victories over Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan and Arthur Abraham. His recent link up with Brian “Bomac” McIntyre, who is in hot water with British authorities for trying to bring a loaded handgun through the security checkpoint at Manchester airport – appears to have given Eubank the freedom to express himself in the ring.

The Hove-born fighter started the fight against Smith well and established his jab early. Eubank showed his power when he knocked down his opponent in round four. He controlled the middle rounds, almost landing combinations at will. The bell sounded for round ten, and Eubank smothered Smith, landing beautiful combinations to his body and head, which floored Smith, who beat the count – but was stopped shortly after following a barrage of unanswered punches.

What’s next for Eubank? Big Fight Weekend has decided to look at three potential opponents for the British fighter.

Three Potential Opponents for Chris Eubank Jr.

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— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 2, 2023

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn

The prospect of Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn is a fascinating one, with Eddie Hearn describing the fight on his Twitter as “absolutely massive.” The prospect of these two facing off – will undoubtedly intrigue the whole boxing world. Their dads shared a legendary rival in the 1990s, and the two have been on a collision course since Benn failed a drug test, which led to the cancellation of their original fight date of October 8, 2022. Despite Benn being a welterweight, this fight continues to linger, with the 157lbs catchweight remaining a possibility. The fight would be lucrative for both in spite of recent scandals. It would be an entertaining build-up and a fight full of fireworks.

Eubank Jr. vs. Kell Brook

Kell Brook retired soon after defeating Amir Khan in February last year. Since his retirement, he has been linked with a return to the ring. “Special K” proved throughout his career that – he’s an A-List fighter who has mixed it with the best. Despite Brook‘s victory over Khan, it remains to be seen what desire he has left to take on Eubank Jr. There’s no doubt the fight would sell, but it’s a risk for a career welterweight to take on a fighter who has fought at super middleweight.

Eubank Jr. vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly

30-year-old Kazakstani fighter Janibek Alimkhanuly (14-0, 9 KOs) is the current WBO middleweight champion. He won the interim title after knocking out Danny Dignum with a vicious uppercut near the end of the second round. Then WBO champion Demetrius Andrade was given 30 days to negotiate a fight with Alimkhanuly – but the American decided to vacate, which promoted the Kazakhstan fighter to the full WBO title that same day. The Southpaw middleweight has already shown he possesses KO power, and once he senses the end is near, he is impressive at closing out fights, as he did earlier this year against Steven Butler. Out of the three options we have listed for Eubank Jr. Alimkhanuly is the least likely due to his limited exposure thus far and how dangerous he is. He will face Vincenzo Gualtieri in a unification bout on Saturday 14th October 2023.

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