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Chris Eubank Jr. defends his IBO Super Middleweight title for the first time against former champion Arthur Abraham in London in late July. Eubank is looking for legitimacy while Abraham is looking for another world title.
Second Super Middleweight Bout
Eubank Jr., the son of former two division world champion Chris Eubank, will be fighting at super middleweight for only the second time in his career. He knocked out Renold Quinlan in the 10th round of his super middleweight debut last February, annexing the latter’s IBO belt.
Previously, Eubank campaigned at middleweight and won the interim WBA middleweight title in 2015 by knocking out Fedor Chudinov in two rounds. Eubank also won the British middleweight title with a 10th round KO win over Nick Blackwell in 2016. Eubank’s lone defeat was a split decision loss to Billie Joe Saunders in 2014.
More Experience at 168
Abraham is a former two division champion. The hammer-fisted Armenian though is now already 37 years old, giving up a decade in age to Eubank Jr. Since losing to Robert Stieglitz in 2013, Abraham has been 10-1 losing only to Gilberto Ramirez in 2016. Abraham has lost only five times in his decorated career and his other losses were to Andre Dirrell, Carl Froch and Andre Ward in the Super Six Middleweight tournament of 2010. Abraham’s lost only twice as a super middleweight and both were in title defenses. He is the more experienced fighter between the two at 168.
Odds and Prediction
Eubank is a -600 favorite while Abraham is a +400 underdog in this matchup between young blood and old dog. It’s going to be a fun fight to watch these two power punchers go at each other. Eubank is the young, athletic and explosive power puncher while Abraham is a classic brawler who always comes forward with haymaker after haymaker until he lands a shot that will hurt his opponent.
It’s actually a dangerous fight for Eubank Jr. because he has never fought someone in the caliber of Arthur Abraham. Having said that though, Eubank Jr. is faster with his hands and feet. He is the more athletic and explosive puncher at this stage of their respective careers.
Abraham is much slower and I don’t think he can hang up with a younger and more athletic opponent if the fight doesn’t end early. Eubank can use his skills to box around Abraham and win on points. It’s just not going to be easy as his previous wins but there is no doubt who takes this. We’re picking Chris Eubank Jr. to win on points.
