The disappointment surrounding Chris Eubank Jr.’s inability to secure a fight against superstar Canelo Alvarez on September 14th can be attributed to several key factors. Eubank Jr.’s promoter, Ben Shalom, revealed that negotiations fell through due to the inability to come to an agreement on the financial terms of the fight. It appears that Canelo’s management team couldn’t satisfy Eubank Jr.’s financial expectations, resulting in a missed opportunity for what could have been a lucrative and career-defining bout.
One of the major obstacles in arranging the fight between Eubank Jr. and Canelo is the limited marketability of Eubank Jr. in the United States. Despite his status as a talented boxer, Eubank Jr. lacks the widespread recognition and appeal needed to generate significant pay-per-view numbers in the US market. As a result, the success of the proposed fight would have heavily relied on the support of the British audience, raising doubts about the potential financial returns.
Critics argue that Eubank Jr.’s competitive standing is another factor working against him in securing high-profile fights. Eubank Jr. is perceived as a fighter operating at the domestic level, failing to challenge the top contenders in either the middleweight or super middleweight divisions. Following his defeat to George Groves in 2018, Eubank Jr. has primarily competed at the British and European levels, missing out on the opportunity to pursue additional world title fights. As a result, his lack of notable victories over top-tier opponents has diminished his bargaining power in negotiations with elite fighters like Canelo Alvarez.
Looking ahead, Eubank Jr. faces a crucial juncture in his career where he must make strategic decisions to elevate his status and secure lucrative opportunities. To improve his chances of securing a fight against Canelo Alvarez or other top-rated opponents, Eubank Jr. must demonstrate bravery and take on formidable competitors like Diego Pacheco, Caleb Plant, or Christian Mbilli. By defeating these opponents, Eubank Jr. can enhance his reputation and negotiating leverage, potentially paving the way for more significant fights in the future.
Despite the setbacks and challenges faced by Eubank Jr. in his pursuit of a fight against Canelo Alvarez, Ben Shalom remains optimistic about the possibility of the bout materializing in the future. Shalom believes that the fight between Eubank Jr. and Canelo will eventually happen, albeit not in the immediate future. However, with Canelo opting for less challenging opponents to maintain his position at the top, Eubank Jr. may need to wait for the right opportunity to arise before revisiting negotiations with Canelo’s team.
The missed opportunity for Chris Eubank Jr. to secure a fight against Canelo Alvarez highlights the complexities and challenges inherent in the boxing industry. From marketability concerns and negotiation issues to competitive standing and career trajectory, Eubank Jr. must address these factors to enhance his prospects of landing high-profile fights in the future. While obstacles remain, Eubank Jr. has the opportunity to redefine his career path and position himself for potential success against elite opposition.