SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 9 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Eubank Sr fears for son's future with DeGale defeat

:Headline: Eubank Sr fears for son's future with DeGale defeat: ID:351031: from db_amp
Chris Eubank Jr and James DeGale go head to head at the O2 Arena on Saturday for the vacant IBO super-middleweight title.

Chris Eubank Sr cast doubt on whether his son can defeat James DeGale this weekend just two days before the British super-middleweight rivals collide at the O2 Arena.

DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr traded several barbs at Thursday's heated press conference, regularly talking over one another.

But it was the former's father who stole the headlines when he said he was "petrified of what the outcome could be".

Rather than being fearful of his son taking sustained punishment, the former two-weight world champion's comments seemed to reflect on DeGale's ability to win and perhaps deprive Eubank Jr of pay-per-view status.

Chris Eubank Sr, left, thinks his son has the physical edge (Adam Davy/PA)

Saturday's bout is being screened in the United Kingdom on ITV Box Office, a platform Eubank Sr says could rival established broadcasters Sky and BT in the future.

Eubank Sr said: "This is most certainly a 50-50 fight, and for the first time I am petrified of what the outcome could be.

"We have worked – and I'm talking about Team Eubank – two and a half years to stay on this channel, ITV. I have been the one pushing for this pay-per-view channel to come alive.

"We can actually bring that back to a channel, ITV, that is eight or nine times bigger than Sky.

James DeGale, left, and Chris Eubank Jr, right, regularly interrupted each other in a heated press conference (Adam Davy/PA)

"I've been staying in for the business and for my son to actually realise the benefits of the price I've paid for all these years. So I am petrified that he may not win this fight."

Eubank Sr thinks his son has the physical edge but feels DeGale's status as an Olympic gold medallist and former champion at 168lbs means he cannot be underestimated.

Asked whether he thought his son would win the bout for the lightly-regarded vacant IBO title, Eubank Sr added: "No I'm not convinced because James DeGale has pedigree.

"(DeGale has) the pedigree that is spoken about in terms of gold medallists and former world champions. Junior hasn't.

"From a physical aspect, Junior has the upper hand but from a spiritual aspect and from a pedigree aspect, James may have the upper hand, so it's a 50-50 fight and bigger than the IBO championship is a pay-per-view platform which is gargantuan."

Eubank Jr has won 27 of his 29 professional contests but his two losses have come when he has stepped up a class in opposition – against Billy Joe Saunders in 2014 and George Groves last year.

DeGale, who has also lost to Groves and whose record stands at 25-2-1, thinks another defeat to a high-profile opponent will leave his foe with no choice but to retire.

Turning to address Eubank Jr, DeGale said: "You're a deluded moron, you're pathetic and on Saturday night I can't wait to deal with you.

"It's all dawned on him, the retirement fight is here. He's finished, it's his last fight, I promise you that. He's going to get a schooling.

"I'm proven. I've been there, I've done that, I've won everything. You are an idiot, you've won nothing and I'm going to beat and retire you."

Eubank Jr acknowledged the losing fighter would be left with nowhere to turn, saying: "We're both at a stage where we can't lose. That's why this fight is so exciting to watch because it's two fighters fighting for their careers.

"I'm just happy to be in a position where I know that he knows he's not going to be able to bring the heat. He's going into the ring thinking 'Can I survive?', and the answer is 'Absolutely not!'"

amp_article__351031 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-21 21:46:06:
html db last update - 2021-02-26 03:47:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about James DeGale

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .