James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr do have something in common – both are backed up by families fully committed to the fighting game.
DeGale has his mum as his business manager and she and his sister often pop by his Hertfordshire home to cook meals for the 33-year-old southpaw. Eubank is, of course, the son of former two-times world champion Chris Eubank, though he moved out of the family home aged 16 and went to live in America. He doesn’t appear to have inherited his father’s love of the excess, either, though will bank another seven-figure cheque when he meets DeGale at the O2 in London this Saturday.
Eubank senior, now a policeman in America, has little to do with his son’s boxing career nowadays but he will be ringside at the O2, according to his son. Eubank used to rely on his father’s advice with input from his dad’s old trainer Ronnie Davies but now employs a trainer, American Nate Vasquez.
James DeGale v Chris Eubank Jr – Tale of The Tape
| James DeGale | Tale of The Tape | Chris Eubank Jr |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Wins | 27 |
| 2 | Lost | 2 |
| 15 | KOs | 21 |
| 1 | Draws | 0 |
| 28 | Total Bouts | 29 |
| 54% | KO% | 72% |
| 6’0″ | Height | 5’11” |
| 74″ | Reach | 72½? |
| Southpaw | Stance | Orthodox |
| Hammersmith, London, UK | Nationality | Hove, Sussex, United Kingdom |
| February 3rd 1986 | Date of Birth | September 18th 1989 |
This is only DeGale’s second UK fight in four years and it’s a big one in career terms. Most pundits believe the 2008 Olympic middleweight champion is on a downward curve, though he’s still only lost the two professional fights. The first was against George Groves, who has also beaten Eubank Jr, back in 2011 and the second, against Caleb Truax, was later avenged when he re-took the IBF super-middleweight title. DeGale was to relinquish that title in 2018 after which he’s had a couple of easy stoppage wins against lesser opponents but Eubank Jr should provide more of a test and this is a bout that neither fighter can really afford to lose.
91st Oscars 2019 – Predictions & Winner Odds
Bad feeling has existed between DeGale and Eubank for quite a while. It began when they were sparring partners in the gym and has progressed to trading insults on social media.
Eubank Jr lacks the big-fight experience of his older opponent but DeGale has had a lot of tough fights and effects can accumulate. Had this fight took place two years ago, DeGale would have been a very strong favourite but he’s not looked the same boxer since a brutal draw with Badou Jack in New York. Some say he was never the same after a shoulder injury suffered ahead of his first fight with Caleb Truax. He also seems to struggle to make the weight nowadays and often goes into his shell during fights if he can’t dominate.
Eubank Jr also has much resting on this fight. Like his opponent, his future options would be severely limited if he loses. Fighting with a new man in your corner for the first time is never ideal and he’s never been one to take advice from others easily but he’ll have to pay attention and concentrate if he’s going to get the better of DeGale, who is more street-wise and more naturally talented even if he is no longer at his peak.
DeGale is 13/10 with Sportingbet for a high-profile but non-title bout that could easily go either way. Eubank Jr is a best 4/5 with draw available at 18/1.
We’ll take Eubank Jr to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification at a general 2/1. Neither man likes to go the distance but Eubank’s younger reflexes should be in his favour and his body may just be able to absorb more punishment than that of DeGale.
