Maybe it was the weather that set the scene for a damp evening, but it just seemed that the action never seemed to move out of 1st or 2nd gear for both Eubank Jr and Degale.
I may be a little harsh here by being judgemental against a very good prospect, by way of Chris Eubank Jr, but I genuinely think he could handle tougher opposition, and if you look at Boxrec’s top ten British middleweights, he’s rated 7th, one ahead of Nick Blackwell, and one behind John Ryder. Perhaps a little too early for Ryder, but reflecting on Blackwell’s performance against Saunders, I would really like to see Eubank in the ring with top ten opposition in the next 12 months. Possibly more than once.
Eubank’s performance against Borg looked was very one sided, but it’s worth pointing out that Borg was no walkover. Having won the Welsh Area middleweight title two fights prior in only his eight bout, on paper, this could have been a good bout. The reality on the night was that Eubank was simply too much for Borg on all fronts. Speed, power and ‘at will’ combinations from the outset, set the tone for the balance of the fight, although Eubank did take some unnecessary blows, more than anything to get into the mix with Borg and try and generate a scrap for the audience.
The knockout at 2:48 of the final round was caused by a brutal single uppercut, which already had the lumberjacks shouting ‘timber’, but he followed with a flurry as Borg was falling, to ensure he was out conclusively. Although a peach of a punch, and Eubank had no idea his opponent would be on the floor for about five minutes after, requiring oxygen and attention from the paramedics, I’m not sure what the merits of him were to stand 10 inches in front of the television camera, whilst the count of ten was in progress. You are the better fighter Chris – granted without a doubt. Arrogance against a fallen opponent didn’t do you any favours. All that said, I think the best of Eubank Jr is far from being released, until he steps up his opposition. Potentially very exciting viewing ahead, with the right matchmaking…
I felt a bit sorry for James Degale whilst watching him go to work on Dyah Davis. He was genuinely trying his utmost to put on a show against a very durable opponent, but the fight carried across as a dull experience. Whenever Degale landed with a solid shot, Davis would tie him up, and whilst trying to pin a knockout punch, or combination on the American, Degale often missed, out of pure frustration. By the time the final bell had sounded, the overall feeling was that Degale had just sparred for 12 rounds against an opponent of domestic level calibre. Worth noting that Davis suffered a suspected broken jaw during the fight…
With a stack of titles already to his name, and with his arch enemy Groves now fighting for the holy grail of super middleweight crowns, I think it’s time to unleash the Chunky onto the world scene. James is without doubt the kind of fighter that excels when put under pressure, and when forced to his limits. I’d like to see him in with the likes of Steiglitz or possibly (a slightly faded) Arthur Abraham, to show the world that he’s genuinely up there. Perhaps if Groves pulls off the unthinkable, a rematch could be in order?…