Joshua vs Breazeale: Chris Eubank Jr on Gennady Golovkin talks
Saturday 25 June 2016 21:44, UK
Chris Eubank Jr insists he'd be unafraid of facing Gennady Golovkin in "one of the biggest fights in British boxing history."
Talks over a clash between Eubank Jr and the WBC, WBA Super and IBF world middleweight champion have preceded the British champion's defence against Tom Doran (17-0-KO7), which you can see live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday.
Kazakhstan's Golovkin (35-0-KO32) has conquered America with his brutal knockout run and is considered by some to be the world's leading pound-for-pound fighter - but Eubank Jr believes if they clash, he'll be the first of GGG's opponents to hear the opening bell with victory in mind.
Eubank Jr told Sky Sports: "I definitely think it would be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
"This is two huge names and people know we are real fighters, fighters' fighters who go in there and put everything on the line.
"We put on performances that inspire people every time we step into the ring. Some fighters don't perform on the night but we go in there and inspire.
"I want to challenge him because he's the No 1 in the middleweight division and is seen as one of the pound-for-pound best in the world. Any fighter worth his salt wants to be the best and to be the best you have to fight the best.
"I told him I was ready for him and there's been no response yet but all I can do is wait to see if he's ready to step up and fight someone who isn't scared of him.
"No man is unbeatable. People think he's some invincible monster who knocks everybody out but I know my chin and I know the kind of shots I can take.
"All he really has, in my opinion, is powerful punches. As far as defence and boxing technique are concerned, I feel I can outbox him and outfight him and outbrawl him.
"Speed is the key for me so I'd look to go in there and bring it to him unlike all the other fighters who have gone in there knowing they were going to lose. I'll have no [thought] put in my mind that I can't beat them and I believe I'll go in there and exploit his weaknesses.
"So many fighters who fight Golovkin have lost before they've entered the ring. Confidence, a strong mental toughness, is key in boxing and it seems a lot of fighters these days haven't got as much as I have.
"It doesn't matter how scary someone may seem - they have two legs, two arms and a heartbeat just like me. There's no reason why I wouldn't want to fight anybody.
"Look at what we're doing. We're putting small gloves on and jumping into a ring in front of thousands of people and punching each other, fighting and competing. That to some people is in itself crazy and you have to be a bit crazy to be a fighter.
"I just want to fight the best and I just want to become the best and if people are going to say that Golovkin is the best in the world and one of the best pound-for-pound then bring it on; I love a challenge."
Eubank Jr's sole career defeat came at the hands of Billy Joe Saunders, who now holds the WBO world middleweight crown. As of yet, attempts to book a rematch have failed - but Eubank Jr believes a victory over Golovkin would automatically bring with it the chance to avenge a split decision he has always contested.
The Brighton star said of his long-time rival: "Saunders is one of the biggest mouths in boxing along with his friend Tyson Fury. If and when that fight [with Golovkin] happens, he'll have a lot to say and regardless of the outcome, he [Saunders] will still say he's the best.
"We've tried to make the fight with Saunders and for whatever reason, things haven't worked out but if I fight Golovkin then it will be impossible for the fight not to happen. If I become a middleweight champion myself then there is no reason I can't fight Saunders because we will be No 1 so we will call the shots.
"It's a big reason why I want to fight these top level guys - so Saunders can't say no to us."
Watch Chris Eubank Jr vs Tom Doran as part of Joshua vs Breazeale, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, on June 25. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
