British Middleweight champion boxer Chris Eubank Jr. with his father and coach Chris Eubank Sr.
British Middleweight champion boxer Chris Eubank Jr. with his father and coach Chris Eubank Sr.
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Eubank Jr. took the British Middleweight title in London last month. The referee stopped the fight in the tenth round after opponent Nick Blackwell's face became so swollen he couldn't see out of his left eye. Blackwell collapsed shortly after and was put into an induced coma. He regained consciousness seven days later and is now recovering. <br />"As two fighters, we go in there and fight for pride and a title," said Eubank Jr. of the fight. "At the end of the day there's no malice or hatred. It's a sport. <br />"I gained so much respect for him (Blackwell) after that fight -- he's a true warrior."
Eubank Jr. took the British Middleweight title in London last month. The referee stopped the fight in the tenth round after opponent Nick Blackwell's face became so swollen he couldn't see out of his left eye. Blackwell collapsed shortly after and was put into an induced coma. He regained consciousness seven days later and is now recovering.
"As two fighters, we go in there and fight for pride and a title," said Eubank Jr. of the fight. "At the end of the day there's no malice or hatred. It's a sport.
"I gained so much respect for him (Blackwell) after that fight -- he's a true warrior."
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The fight comes 25 years after former world champion boxer Eubank Sr. was also in a fight which landed his opponent Michael Watson in a coma for 40 days. Today, Watson is blind in one eye and needs a full-time carer.
The fight comes 25 years after former world champion boxer Eubank Sr. was also in a fight which landed his opponent Michael Watson in a coma for 40 days. Today, Watson is blind in one eye and needs a full-time carer.
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Eubank Jr. believes it's up to referees to take the initiative in stopping a fight -- not the boxers.<br />"If you don't have that 'do or die' mindset you're never gonna make it," he said. "So you can't ask the fighters to change. <br />"But the referees, or those in their corner, can stop the fight. Most fighters who are worth their salt will never give up. But if they're losing and their corner can see that, they can throw their towel in and that's it."
Eubank Jr. believes it's up to referees to take the initiative in stopping a fight -- not the boxers.
"If you don't have that 'do or die' mindset you're never gonna make it," he said. "So you can't ask the fighters to change.
"But the referees, or those in their corner, can stop the fight. Most fighters who are worth their salt will never give up. But if they're losing and their corner can see that, they can throw their towel in and that's it."
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"I feel it was a one-sided fight," Eubank Jr said of Blackwell. "I won pretty much every round. <br />"But at the same time, the true grit and determination Nick showed on the night made it an amazing event. To see someone who wasn't winning, but who wouldn't give up -- that's what boxing's all about."<br />Eubank Jr. is pictured right fighting Ivan Jukic of Croatia in 2014.
"I feel it was a one-sided fight," Eubank Jr said of Blackwell. "I won pretty much every round.
"But at the same time, the true grit and determination Nick showed on the night made it an amazing event. To see someone who wasn't winning, but who wouldn't give up -- that's what boxing's all about."
Eubank Jr. is pictured right fighting Ivan Jukic of Croatia in 2014.
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Here, Chris Eubank Sr. is pictured fighting his great rival, Nigel Benn, in 1993.<br />
Here, Chris Eubank Sr. is pictured fighting his great rival, Nigel Benn, in 1993.
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Eubank Sr. (pictured right with fellow British boxer Gary Stretch in 1991) is known for his flamboyant style, wearing dapper suits, top hats, brandishing a cane, and...
Eubank Sr. (pictured right with fellow British boxer Gary Stretch in 1991) is known for his flamboyant style, wearing dapper suits, top hats, brandishing a cane, and...
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...also wearing a monocle.
...also wearing a monocle.
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"When you're in the heat of battle you're intoxicated," said Eubank Sr. <br />"You're not sober, you can't make rational decisions like 'I'm hurt, I'm injured, therefore I should pull out.<br />"You're intoxicated, so you keep on going."<br />Eubank Sr. is pictured here in 1995.
"When you're in the heat of battle you're intoxicated," said Eubank Sr.
"You're not sober, you can't make rational decisions like 'I'm hurt, I'm injured, therefore I should pull out.
"You're intoxicated, so you keep on going."
Eubank Sr. is pictured here in 1995.
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Chris Eubank Sr. celebrates his victory against Michael Watson for the WBO Middleweight title fight in 1991.
Chris Eubank Sr. celebrates his victory against Michael Watson for the WBO Middleweight title fight in 1991.
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Shortly after the fight Watson collapsed. Paramedics were reportedly not on site at the time, and he spent 40 days in a coma.
Shortly after the fight Watson collapsed. Paramedics were reportedly not on site at the time, and he spent 40 days in a coma.
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L-R: Watson and Eubank Sr. together in 2002.<br />"It's part of me, it's a scar within me," says Eubank Sr. of the 1991 fight.
L-R: Watson and Eubank Sr. together in 2002.
"It's part of me, it's a scar within me," says Eubank Sr. of the 1991 fight.
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