TIME TO BANK TITLE

The fact he is 32 and still facing opposition like German Wanik Awdijan tells its own story.

This is a warm-up bout, though. One to shake the ring rust off.

But after this, then, it has to be foot down and secure big world title fights at middleweight. Otherwise, what is the point? Eubank Jnr is now at the same age his father was when he retired from the sport.

At that point, Eubank Snr had been a world champion in two weight divisions.

But his son is still searching for his first major world belt.

His recent hiatus has had its reasons. The Covid-19 pandemic left him out of action.

Then his return to the ring was delayed by the tragic loss of his brother, Sebastian, who he will honour tonight in the ring with

NEXT LEVEL: Eubank Jnr should be looking to face Golovkin (below) next his name on his shorts. He says he is fighting for his brother, who was also a boxer, but is unsure of how he will deal with the loss once in the ring.

Nobody could blame him if he struggles with that.

But if he can deal with it, then now is the time for Eubank Jnr to really kick on with his career.

He has the Sky Sports platform fully behind him now as one of their main attractions and he was due to fight two weeks ago but medical issues with his opponent further delayed his return.

But time is not on his side and at middleweight, there are some fine world champions.

Sky have been trying to bring IBF king Gennady Golovkin to the UK for Eubank in December.

But it now looks like the Kazakh KO star will face WBA title holder Ryota Murata in

Japan instead around the New Year celebrations.

The winner of that – likely to be Golovkin – would be a big event next year.

WBO champion Demetrius Andrade is busy with a defence against Ireland’s Jason Quigley next month.

WBC champion Jermall Charlo is waiting on his next date.

Eubank Jnr can’t be waiting around, though. He needs to stay active and follow up tonight’s routine win by getting back out again before the year is out.

Also on the card in Newcastle, Hughie Fury – cousin of Tyson – takes on Christian Hammer as he looks at another heavyweight title tilt.

And Savannah Marshall defends her WBO middleweight crown against Lolita Muzeya.