By Charles Brun: Chris Eubank Jr was quick to call out Gennadiy Golovkin last night following his loss to Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas.
The only two money fights for Golovkin at middleweight are Eubank Jr and Jermall Charlo. Of the two, Eubank Jr is the only one Golovkin would have a slim chance of winning.
Golovkin (42-2-1, 37 KOs) revealed after the fight that he is not retiring and plans to return to the 160-pound division to defend all three of his belts.
I don’t think Golovkin can beat Eubank Jr with the way he performed last night against Canelo. This would be an easier fight for Eubank Jr. than his recent win over Liam Williams. Golovkin is too old and fired up to deal with Eubank Jr.
Eubank Jr is too quick, powerful and defensively solid for Golovkin to beat him at this late stage in his career. Still, the fight makes sense for Golovkin because he’s getting a big payday, which is obviously important to him.
If Golovkin simply chooses to make title defenses for all three of his belts, he will soon be defeated as it is too much for him to hold on to all three of his belts for any length of time.
Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 KOs) obviously saw what everyone did with the 40-year-old Golovkin looking old and totally fired up, losing to an equally bad Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) by 12 rounds. unanimous decision in their trilogy match at T-Mobile Arena.
Chris Jr turned 33 today, and he still has a 157-pound catchweight fight scheduled for next month against welterweight Conor Benn on October 8 at London’s O2 Arena.
That’s not expected to match up unless Eubank Jr. drops weight due to catchweight and the rehydration clause.
Even though the Canelo-Golovkin fight appeared to be a mostly one-sided affair with Canelo beating the gunshy Golovkin all night, the judges scored him closely at 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113. It didn’t seem like a close fight to me.
Golovkin, 40, was terrible. He looked like he didn’t belong with Canelo and, somehow, it seemed like the Mexican star was taking it in stride.
Golovkin and Eubank Jr were supposed to fight six years ago in 2016. Negotiations were slow, and eventually the fight was offered to Kell Brook, who ended up getting dropped by Golovkin in five rounds.
GGG you had a great run. Go back to middleweight and let’s fight for those belts you still have in December or just let them go and I’ll take care of them for the next two years while you enjoy retirement… you earned it, champ.
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 18, 2022
