Chris Eubank Jr versus Ben Whittaker is a fight that pits two of boxing’s most notorious showmen against one another.
It’s fair to say both of these boxers are marmite for fans – they either love their showy style or can’t stand it, but either way they are keen to tune in to see how they get on.
Eubank Jr enters the ring with a jump over the top ropes like his father and often serves up flurries of punches, walks around the ring and toys with opponents as a way of teasing them. Last time out he stopped Liam Smith after being stopped himself for the first time in their first meeting and as of yet has not won a major world title.
Whittaker picked up a silver medal in the last Olympics and as soon as he turned pro began dividing public opinion with his antics in the ring. It has got people all over the world talking and though some hate it, plenty love it.
Either way, the light heavyweight has promised he will never change and next time out he will be appearing on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev against Dmitry Bivol in October this year against Liam Cameron, and on the same card Eubank Jr. takes on Kamil Szeremeta at middleweight.
Eubank has previously fought at super-middleweight and Whittaker has recently told Sky Sports that he would be open to facing his fellow Brit.
“If the money’s there, sign me up. I’m bigger, I’m younger, I’m fresher. I wouldn’t turn it down.”
Speaking on Froch on Fighting, Hall of Fame inductee Carl Foch assessed both men’s careers.
“Eubank is more of a celebrity fighter than a real fighter. He doesn’t fight often enough. He wants to make money and get out without taking too many punches. He’s not busy, he’s not active.
Ben Whittaker he has ambition. He’s a fantastic talent, people question his punching power but this kid can fight. He’s got speed and timing, he’s skilful.”
‘The Cobra’ then predicted Whittaker’s size would be too much for Eubank.
“The biggest hurdle would be the weight. Eubank is not big enough in my opinion, he’s a midleweight. Whittaker is a tall kid. To put a middleweight in with a light heavyweight is a problem. The freshness the speed, the punch volume, it would be too much for Eubank.”
If it were to happen, it’s safe to say the build-up would be as entertaining as the fight.
