Chris Eubank Jr says unanimous decision win over James DeGale was the most important of his career
Sunday 24 February 2019 07:23, UK
Chris Eubank Jr says he defied his doubters after defeating James DeGale in the "most important fight" of his career.
After hiring Nate Vasquez as his trainer, Eubank Jr believes his own refined skills and tactical awareness were on show in a convincing victory.
"I knew that he was going to come in there and run, use his boxing ability," Eubank Jr told ITV Box Office.
"I've been working a lot on my jab. He's a very slick southpaw, so it's hard to train for a man like that, but the game-plan worked. The things we worked on in the gym, I put them into effect, smart pressure.
"I dominated pretty much every single round. He's a hell of a fighter, hell of a competitor."
High-profile defeats to Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves had raised questions about whether Eubank Jr could succeed at the top level, but the 29-year-old feels he silenced to his critics by defeating a former world champion.
"A lot of people said I was going to lose, said I was going to get my head jabbed off," said Eubank Jr.
"Wouldn't be able to stand with a proven boxer like James DeGale. I proved those guys wrong tonight.
"Now, like I said, we're onto bigger and better things. The most important fight of my career. I made a statement, and now we're going forward."
Both fighters had traded insults in the weeks beforehand, although Eubank Jr insisted afterwards that he held DeGale in high regard.
"He didn't quit. He was man enough to stay in the ring and take it for the 12 rounds," said Eubank Jr.
"He didn't give up. Hell of a fighter and I respect him."
