Chris Eubank Jr’s Choice to Sign with Boxxer: A Candid Take on Boxing Promoters

Chris Eubank Jr, never one to shy away from controversy, has made headlines once again with his recent comments on the world of boxing promotion. Set to fight on October 12th in Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the highly anticipated Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol clash, Eubank Jr used the opportunity at a live press conference to air his frustrations with some of the biggest names in European boxing promotion.

Eubank Jr’s Issues with Promoters

In a brutally honest tirade, Eubank Jr openly criticised the likes of Frank Warren, Kalle Sauerland, and Eddie Hearn, labelling them all “scumbags” for the way they conduct business in the sport. “Because every other promoter out here is a scumbag, that’s why,” Eubank Jr declared when asked why he had signed a deal with Boxxer, a promotional outfit relatively new to the scene.

His words were particularly scathing when it came to Warren, the veteran British promoter who has overseen some of the sport’s biggest fights. Eubank Jr accused Warren of lying and cheating throughout his career, even referencing a lawsuit: “We’ve got Frank Warren behind me, been lying and cheating his way through boxing for the last couple of decades, sued me for a couple hundred thousand a few years ago, so obviously I was never going to go with him.”

Harsh View on Boxing Contracts

The criticism did not stop with Warren. Eubank Jr was equally blunt in his assessment of Kalle Sauerland, claiming that his contract under Sauerland was exploitative: “Kalle Sauerland had me locked up in a terrible contract for the last few years, squeezing money out of me at every opportunity. Scumbag.”

Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith, key figures in Matchroom Boxing, also found themselves in the firing line. Eubank Jr referenced the ongoing Conor Benn saga, which saw their planned fight fall through due to Benn’s failed drug test: “They did everything they could to try and make this fight against Conor Benn still go ahead after knowing that he was on steroids. Scumbags.”

These comments reflect Eubank Jr’s growing frustration with what he views as underhanded practices in boxing promotion, where legal manoeuvres and restrictive contracts seem to take precedence over the welfare and interests of fighters.

Praise for Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia’s Boxing Vision

However, not all of Eubank Jr’s comments were negative. The fighter reserved special praise for Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and the driving force behind Riyadh Season, which has seen the Kingdom host major sporting events. “I would say the only promoter I know for sure isn’t a scumbag is His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh,” Eubank Jr said. “He isn’t trying to take money from fighters…he just wants to put the biggest fights on, the best events on, and pay fighters what they’re worth.”

Eubank Jr’s remarks speak to the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in the world of boxing. While the country’s involvement has drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly over human rights concerns, it has also opened up new financial opportunities for fighters. The ability to host major fights with substantial purses has positioned Saudi Arabia as a key player in boxing’s future.

Eubank Jr’s enthusiasm for fighting in Saudi Arabia is evident. His participation in the upcoming event further solidifies the Kingdom’s role as a central hub for international boxing, and it may well continue to attract other top fighters in the years to come.

Eubank Jr’s Future with Boxxer

Eubank Jr also took a moment to offer praise for Ben Shalom, the founder of Boxxer, calling him “a very cool guy.” This partnership marks a new chapter in Eubank Jr’s career, one that seems to be free from the legal and contractual struggles he endured under previous promoters.

With a series of high-profile fights already under his belt, Eubank Jr remains a marquee name in boxing. His decision to align with Boxxer could lead to more exciting matchups, particularly as Saudi Arabia continues to invest in the sport.