Michael Zerafa accuses Chris Eubank Jr of 'pricing himself out' of comeback: 'I'll knock him out'
Michael Zerafa says Chris Eubank Jr is more interested in 'money fights' and is 'pricing himself out' of a comeback. Zerafa told IFL TV and Pro Boxing TV that he believes he would stop Eubank.
Michael Zerafa has accused Chris Eubank Jr of losing his appetite for competitive match-ups and instead pursuing lucrative 'money fights', saying the former middleweight remains difficult to land because he is 'pricing himself out'. Zerafa — who has mainly fought at 160lbs — made the comments to IFL TV and told Pro Box TV he 'truly believes he knocks Eubank out'. Boxing News reports that the 37-year-old Eubank has not fought since last November’s rematch with Conor Benn, a wide points defeat that included two 12th-round knockdowns, and that discussions over potential matchups are ongoing.
Zerafa: 'He’s just chasing money fights' as teams 'go back and forth'
Speaking to IFL TV, Michael Zerafa said his team and Chris Eubank Jr. ’s have been negotiating, but suggested Eubank is reluctant to take the risk. "We want the Eubank fight. Our teams have been [going] back and forth," Zerafa said, adding: "I believe I beat him. I believe that love for the sport’s not there anymore [for Eubank] — he’s just chasing money fights." Zerafa also suggested Eubank knows he is a genuine danger and is therefore setting his price higher, saying the former is "pricing himself out a little bit." Boxing News reported these remarks.
Eubank Jr out since Benn rematch; past meetings and weight terms recalled
Boxing News notes that Chris Eubank Jr., 37, has not fought since his rematch with Conor Benn last November, which ended in a wide points defeat for Eubank after he suffered two 12th‑round knockdowns. The pair had met once before, with Eubank winning by unanimous decision. Both fights were contested under the same 10lb rehydration clause, which required each man to weigh under 170lbs on fight morning after making the middleweight limit the day before.
Matchroom links and a potential move to 168lbs discussed
Boxing News reports that Eubank is expected to campaign at 168lbs moving forward. The article says promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated Eubank has been considering a move to the Matchroom stable. As Hearn promotes Michael Zerafa, that connection places Matchroom in a position to broker a potential clash between the two men, should both camps agree on terms.
Zerafa 'truly believes' he would stop Eubank; Melbourne mentioned as a site
Zerafa, who has predominantly fought at 160lbs, told Pro Box TV he "truly believes he knocks Eubank out." He also claimed that Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn is in talks with the Australian government to stage a possible fight in Melbourne, as Boxing News reported. None of the parties has announced a confirmed date or contract for a Zerafa–Eubank fight.