Sam Eggington wants European title shot on Anthony Joshua bill
Wednesday 26 October 2016 16:19, UK
Sam Eggington has set his sights on the European welterweight title and is looking to force his way onto Anthony Joshua's undercard.
The 23-year-old is determined to test himself at a higher level after last Saturday's eighth-round stoppage win over domestic rival Frankie Gavin.
Just days after that bruising victory in Birmingham, Eggington is already targeting another fight and hopes to secure a spot on the bill when Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight title at Manchester Arena on December 10.
Leonard Bundu briefly regained the European title in April before heading to America for a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Errol Spence Jr and Eggington would welcome a shot at the title, with or without the Italian in the opposite corner.
"I've been trying to jump on an Anthony Joshua bill for a while, so if we can get on that I would be over the moon," Eggington told Sky Sports.
I'm pretty sure the European title is vacant, so that would be a good one for the O2 bill, or even next year.
"I don't think there is any reason for me to box any domestic opponents again. I've gone through a good few. I did lose to Bradley Skeete, but he lost to Frankie Gavin, so where does that put us all?
"I'm pretty sure the European title is vacant, so that would be a good one for the O2 bill, or even next year."
Asked about a potential fight with Bundu, he added: "If it was offered, I would take it, no doubt.
"I try and make a statement every time I box. Some times it works, some times it don't, but that's what I would definitely try and do with Bundu. I would definitely try and stop him."
Earlier this year, Eggington was briefly considered as a possible opponent for world champion Danny Garcia but promoter Eddie Hearn turned down the money on offer.
The WBC champion has since opted to face Samuel Vargas in a non-title bout as he warms up for a unification clash with WBA king Keith Thurman in March, but Eggington insists he would have happily shared the ring with Garcia.
"When a fight is offered, normally I'll take it," said Eggington. "I'm just gutted they didn't ring me and they rang Eddie first. One hundred per cent I would have done it for less than that. I would have done it for petrol.
"Just the experience of going over there, to train before the fight, fight week over there. It would be have been a brilliant experience and I'm a bit gutted that it never happened."
