"THE OLD ME": CHRIS EUBANK JR VOWS COMEBACK AFTER HEALTH BATTLE
Following a brutal loss to Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr will not fight again until 100% health. The veteran boxer acknowledged his struggles and vowed "the old me" would make a comeback.
Chris Eubank Jr. has sparked worries about his boxing future after posting a concerning video from his hospital bed.
The 36-year-old boxer suffered a tough points loss to Conor Benn last month, seven months after their first fight was postponed. Eubank Jr. struggled to make weight before their original match in April, leading to a £375,000 fine.
After the first fight, Eubank Jr. needed two nights of medical care after going through checkups. He admitted he was severely dehydrated, trying to meet the weight limit. It appears he had similar problems before the rematch, according to a worrying update he shared on social media.
In clips on X (formerly Twitter), Eubank Jr. is seen in a hospital bed, surrounded by doctors and hooked up to machines. He wrote, "I've had health problems this past year, and it all caught up to me last month."
I won't box again until I'm 100 per cent. I don't know when that will be. But I promise my fans that I'll do everything I can to come back as the fighter I used to be.
Things look unclear for the veteran, who has fought 39 times. After their rematch, Benn suggested Eubank Jr. should think about retiring.
Nigel Benn's son thinks Eubank Jr. should focus on what's next outside of boxing, especially since Eubank Jr. is expecting twins next year. "I think he might want a rematch, but we should probably just stop here," Benn said. We did what we said we'd do. We sold out a stadium twice, so let's end it.
He has more important things to think about than fighting. He's set for life with his kids. If I were him, I'd think about why I'm boxing. He's going to be a dad of two, and that's what matters most. It's not my place to say if he should retire, but he has bigger priorities now.
Eubank Jr. wasn't himself in the rematch, landing 300 fewer punches than in their first fight. He said he had a difficult time leading up to the defeat.
"I went through a lot to get here," he said. I really thought that despite my problems, I could go in there, box well, and beat Conor Benn as I planned.
But from the first round, I knew I was wrong. Still, I'm a fighter, and this is what I do. No matter the dangers, we go to war.
I did my best. Conor Benn fought great and did everything he needed to do. I congratulate him.
Even though he had chances to explain his troubles, Eubank Jr. didn't. When asked about retiring, he said, "We're not talking about that now."
This isn't about me. This night belongs to Conor. He won and fought a great fight. You saw how I was in there. I thought I'd find something once the lights came on, and I tried, but it wasn't there. Conor was strong, fast, and tough. Congrats to him.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHALLENGE: RYAN ROZICKI TELLS JAI OPETAIA TO "STAY GROUNDED" AFTER STRUGGLE
Ring No. 4 contender Ryan Rozicki calls out Jai Opetaia, warning the champion that overconfidence and fighting "weaker opponents" will lead to his downfall.
Ryan Rozicki's Message to Jai Opetaia: Stay Grounded
Jai Opetaia, the Ring and IBF champion, recently secured his fourth straight knockout victory by defeating Huseyin Cinkara in eight rounds. This win wraps up a busy year for Opetaia, during which he defended his title three times.
Ryan Rozicki, a Canadian contender, acknowledges Opetaia's achievements and his position as the top cruiserweight.
However, Rozicki, who is ranked No. 4 by The Ring, thinks he would be a much tougher opponent than those Opetaia has faced recently.
"From what I've seen, he's probably the best in the division," Rozicki told The Ring. If that fight comes my way, I'll definitely take it. He hasn't fought anyone like me. I've watched some of his fights, and he's been up against weaker opponents.
After watching Opetaia struggle early in his fight against Cinkara, Rozicki has a word of caution for him.
In my opinion, his opponent didn't look world-class, he said. He got hit and wobbled in the second round. If that were my right hand, he wouldn't have gotten up.
Opetaia's aggressive start allowed Cinkara to land a couple of right hands in the second round, which shook the champion. Opetaia expressed frustration after the fight, admitting his performance wasn't great. This may motivate him for 2026, especially given his disappointment with failed unification attempts.
It seems that overconfidence and a lack of real tests might be affecting Opetaia's recent performances, as seen when he was caught by David Nyika and even more so by Cinkara before pulling through.
Rozicki warns Opetaia to stay grounded.
"Don't believe everything you hear about yourself," he said. Be careful about what your team tells you, because you might think you're invincible, but you're probably not.
Rozicki's promoter, Daniel Otter of The Lions Promotions, is also interested in setting up a fight between Rozicki and Opetaia.
"Jai keeps saying people are avoiding him," Otter said. I think people have been avoiding Ryan, too, so if Jai is serious, Ryan is ready to fight him.
ANDREW TATE'S RESPECT: HE CALLS JAKE PAUL VS. ANTHONY JOSHUA INTERESTING AMIDST WEIGHT CLAUSE CHAOS
Andrew Tate respects Jake Paul for fighting Anthony Joshua but is criticised by opponent Chase DeMoor for a controversial 'under 200lb' weight clause in their Misfits bout.
Andrew Tate thinks Jake Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua will be interesting.
Paul and Joshua are set to fight in Miami next Friday in a heavyweight match that's getting a lot of criticism. The next night, Tate will box Misfits heavyweight champ Chase DeMoor in Dubai. This marks Tate's return to the ring after doing kickboxing.
Tate and Paul have had issues in the past, but Tate gave Paul props. "I think that night will be interesting," he told iFL TV. I respect anyone who steps into the ring. People risk their lives to entertain others. I respect Jake and AJ, and I'm glad they're getting in there. I hope they both stay safe.
One thing both fights have in common is a weight limit, even though they're both heavyweight bouts. Joshua can't weigh over 245 lb for his fight with Paul. DeMoor said Tate wanted him to weigh UNDER 200 lb, which would make it a cruiserweight fight.
If he was sure he would beat me, why is there a weight clause in a heavyweight fight? He asked. Why are we fighting under 200 pounds? Why the rehydration clause? Why is it his arena, his judges, and his referee? Why did he try to say no to my gloves? "I have to fight in house clothes," said DeMoor.
They gave me this fight in July. I agreed to whatever he wanted, just to get him in the ring. He wants the weight cut; fine. He wants the rounds; fine. He wants the gloves, the rings, and the judges. Fine, fine, fine. I didn't negotiate at all.
I'm always the underdog in every fight. People think I'll lose, but I go out there and knock them out in the first few rounds.
While Tate respects Paul and Joshua, he feels different about his opponent. "I could pick a different opponent and make more money, and people would still watch," he said. Everyone's focused on me. This fight is all about me. I've been offered more money to fight others. This is the Andrew Tate show. Face to the floor, it does not matter if he is in the ring or not... he needs to know this is my show.