Former world champion George Groves has delivered a stark verdict on Chris Eubank Jr's career, insisting the boxer should have retired immediately after his victory over long-time rival Conor Benn.
A Victory Overshadowed by a Sequel
Eubank Jr appeared to have settled a 34-year family feud when he defeated Benn back in April, with his hand raised in a decisive moment. The win seemed to bring closure to a bitter rivalry that began with their legendary fathers.
However, instead of walking away from the sport on this high, Eubank Jr opted for an immediate rematch. The two fighters are now set to face each other again this Saturday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Groves's Critical Analysis
Groves, who previously defeated Eubank Jr in 2018, expressed his disappointment at seeing his former opponent continue fighting. "He should have retired and gone out in a blaze of glory, just like I wanted to do," Groves stated. "Eubank Jr has beaten his nemesis, he's not going to do better than that."
The former champion highlighted Eubank Jr's difficult preparation for the first fight, noting: "He had a torturous time before the fight even started. He had issues with his training team, he had family issues and he picked a war with everyone who wasn't on his side."
Groves also pointed to Eubank Jr's failure to make weight and subsequent fine as further evidence of his troubled camp. Despite expectations that Eubank Jr would dominate, Groves observed that "he had to bite down on his gumshield to win."
Financial Motivations and Future Predictions
While acknowledging the financial incentive for the rematch, Groves suggested Eubank Jr missed an opportunity for a perfect exit. "We knew there was more money on the table but he could have gone away and done anything," he said.
Looking ahead to Saturday's bout, Groves delivered a concerning prediction for Eubank Jr fans: "There's only money in it for him now, and I think he's going to get beat."
He analysed the fight dynamics, suggesting "Benn will be fresher and have more desire to win" as the match progresses. Groves even raised the possibility of Benn stopping Eubank Jr late in the fight.
The highly anticipated rematch will be available to watch live on DAZN, with pay-per-view access priced at £24.99.
