EUBANK JR SIGNS NEW PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM AND WILL DEFEND HIS BRITISH TITLE AGAINST DORAN AT THE O2
Middleweight sensation faces Welsh danger man on June 25
Chris Eubank Jr (22-1, 17KOS) will defend his British Middleweight title against Tom Doran (17-0, 7KOS) at The O2 in London on June 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office, after signing a new deal with promoter Eddie Hearn for Matchroom Boxing.
Eubank Jr will make the first defence of the Lord Lonsdale belt he won against Nick Blackwell (19-4-1, 8KOS) in March, taking on the hard-hitting North-Wales danger man, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s (16-0, 16KOS) first defence of his IBF World Heavyweight title against unbeaten American Dominic ‘Trouble’ Breazeale (17-0, 15KOs).
[sam id=”30″ codes=”true”]
Brighton star Eubank has stopped his last four opponents on his way to landing the British crown, and the 26 year old is determined to win the prestigious title outright before moving onto World honours – with father and son making is clear that the fearsome Gennady Golovkin is their number one target down the line.
“I’m happy to be back – Sky Sports is the best place to fight in British boing so to be back with them on the World stage is great,” said Eubank Jr. “Tom is going to try to cause an upset and we’re going to put on a dramatic night of action.
“It’s one fight at a time but when you know you are working towards a super-fight it plays a part – but it makes me train harder and focus more, as I know with every fight I am moving towards a top fight with Golovkin or anyone that has a World title fight. I am not looking past Tom, he knows beating me gets him to World level and massive publicity, so he is going to come to fight on June 25. But I will get past him and move onto massive nights.”
Eubank Sr added: “Tom is going to raise his game and he will be dangerous. He can punch and I’ve studied him, I’ve told my son not to look past the next one – the World championships will come. On June 25 it will be compelling drama – if Chris performs and we get past this one, we’re looking to get the Lonsdale belt for keeps in August – we are proud Englishmen and that means a lot to us.”
Doran enters his first British title fight on the back of his remarkable win in a two-round war with Luke Keeler. Doran hit the deck hard in the opening session of their clash in Liverpool in April, but sprang to his feet and returned the favour with interest, flooring the Irishman hard and nearly stopping him inside the first round. Keeler came out for the second but Doran twice put the Dubliner on the deck to end the contest and land the vacant WBC International strap. The 28 year old plans to derail Eubank’s World title dreams and rip the British strap away from him.
“This is what I want – the British title in my sights and I intend to take it with both hands,” said Doran. “I believe I am ready for this – I’ve boxed in front of big crowds at the Liverpool Echo and I will soak up a great atmosphere at The O2.
“I know Chris Eubank Jr is a great and talented fighter but I think I have the tools to overcome the challenge and stick to the game plan that we will take into the fight, I’ll get the job done and become British champion.”
Eubank joins a stellar cast at The O2 on June 25 as-well as the Joshua-Breazeale main event. George Groves and Martin Murray meet in a mouth-watering domestic Super-Middleweight blockbuster and WBA World title eliminator bout, John Wayne Hibbert clashes with Andrea Scarpa for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title, Conor Benn is in action for the third time in the paid ranks and there’s a debut for Team GB star Felix Cash.
Signing new deal with Matchroom
“It’s great to be back on the Matchroom team and I’m really looking forward to fighting again on Sky. Anthony and I make a great British double act, when on the same card, and we guarantee excellent entertainment for our fans. I’m confident that there will be many more victories for both of us in the near future.” said Eubank.
Eubank Jr is well placed in the Middleweight scene both domestically and abroad, with the Lord Lonsdale belt around his waist and sitting at number two in the WBA and number three in the WBC, and Hearn is predicting huge fights for the 26 year old, starting in Greenwich in a months’ time.
“I’m delighted to agree a new promotional contract with Chris Eubank Jr,” said Hearn.
“He is fast becoming one of the biggest star attractions in the sport and I feel we have the perfect platform in Sky Sports to continue that and deliver him the huge fights. It’s a fantastic addition to the June 25 card and just like the last time Jnr was there, I’m sure he will light up The O2.”
[sam id=”1″ codes=”true”]
