Eubank Jnr sets up shot at £38m with slick victory
Chris Eubank Jnr earned a shot at a $50 million prize pot by successfully defending his IBO world super-middleweight title against German veteran Arthur Abraham at Wembley Arena last night.
The British fighter’s unanimous points victory lands him a place in the the inaugural World Boxing Super Series, an eight-man tournament featuring some of the biggest names in the division, with the winner earning the equivalent of £38million.
Eubank Jr will fight Turkey’s Avni Yildirim in the Super Series quarterfinals in the autumn, with semi-finals in January and a May final in a tournament that organisers say will “change the world of boxing”. WBA champion George Groves and fellow Britons Callum Smith and Jamie Cox are also in the competition.
Juding by last night’s performance, Eubank Jr will stand a strong chance of victory in the event. The champion showed his full array of punches against the battle-hardened 37-year-old.
Eubank Jnr was unable to deliver a knockout blow but was deservedly declared the clear winner, with two judges scoring the bout 118-110 and the other 120-108. The 27-year-old champion now has just one defeat, by fellow Briton Billy Joe Saunders, from his 25 professional bouts.
On the undercard, Welshman Lee Selby successful defended his IBF world featherweight title only four days after his mother died.
Selby dedicated the victory to his mother after claiming a unanimous decision points win over Argentine Jonathan Barros. Asked about his build-up, the triumphant Selby said: “I told my team not to mention anything, turned my phone off, there were emotions going through me before the fight. If I told anyone, I would have been strapped up in a straitjacket. I got the win, and I dedicate it to my mother.”
There was a shock result when Poland’s Michal Syrowatka defeated Robbie Davies Jnr to claim the WBA light-welterweight title. The Liverpool fighter was cut in the sixth and sent to the canvas in the final round, at which point his corner threw in the towel. Davis Jnr was taken to hospital following the fight as a precaution, but his manager later confirmed he was OK.