Eubank Jr on course to collide with DeGale after heated war of words

Rising star Chris Eubank Jr (19-1, 14 KOs) is potentially on a collision course with reigning IBF super-middleweight title holder and fellow Briton James DeGale, after a heated exchange occurred between both parties ahead of their respective upcoming bouts in separate divisions later this year.

DeGale will defend his IBF crown against Lucian Bute in Quebec on November 28, while Eubank Jr is scheduled to take on Tony Jeter on October 24th in his maiden fight since signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions, though both are already tipped to come face-to-face in 2016 at super-middleweight.

With his legendary father in his corner and an abundance of talent, Eubank Jr recently spoke confidently about stepping up a division in the near future, although DeGale, who is 4/1 with Coral to lose his strap to Bute this Winter, was swift in hitting back angrily towards his possible future opponent from Brighton.

“I’m pretty easy, but I’m on a different level to him,” claimed DeGale. “If he has a couple of good wins, if he can win a world title, then we can get it on. If not, he needs to shut his mouth and get on with his business. I’m a different level.

“He came down, he sparred me, I battered him and he said – and his Dad – ‘I schooled James DeGale.’ It was the stupidest thing ever. You know what kind of person he is – a d*******, publicity – knows if he mentions my name then people will want to talk. That’s it.

“I don’t care about him. He can do his own s***. He should carry on, train hard, get a couple of good wins.”

Although, Eubank Snr, who held world titles in both divisions in question, believes his promising son can defeat the current IBF champion and added to DeGale’s earlier tale of that now infamous sparring session.

“Jr goes through everybody in the gym,” Eubank Snr added. “And if you can do it in the gym there is no reason why you can’t do it in real ring because it’s a measure.

“When he sparred with DeGale I said to him ‘get his measure now because the sparring will only happen once and I’m very surprised they are giving you this opportunity so make sure you handle it’.

“The only advice I gave him was ‘turn your punches over’. That’s the only advice I gave him. And to turn your punches over it takes patience, because he’s a speed hitter. He was turning them over and held the sparring session, as far I’m concerned, perfectly.”

After hopefully overcoming Jeter on his Sky Sports debut this month, the talented Eubank Jr is reportedly set to contest long-term rival Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan at the O2 Arena in London on December 12, on a night when Anthony Joshua will also be seeking victory over heavyweight foe Dillian Whyte and is 8/1 to be shocked on home soil.

There are countless exciting bouts taking place throughout the rest of this year, but 26-year-old Eubank Jr will be aiming to capture the headlines and move out of the towering shadow of his famous father within this testing sport that he is on the road to mastering.