DeGale could prove the perfect opponent as Eubank Jr vows to rebuild his reputation.
With many punters’ eyes firmly set on Cheltenham, it’s easy to overlook the intriguing bout of boxing taking place this weekend. Take some time out from pouring over Oddschecker’s Cheltenham antepost markets to savour what could be an action packed showdown between James Degale and Chris Eubank at the O2. Neither man belongs in the upper echelons of the super middleweight division nor is there a title or belt of note on the line. However, the two fighters are big characters and real niggle exists between the two; it may be lacking trinkets and titles, but there is certainly plenty of pride on the line, not to mention the future careers of the combatants. Degale has openly described this as a retirement fight, one last payday before he calls time. For Eubank Jr his credibility as a world level fighter is at stake after twice failing against top opposition in Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves.
The bookies currently favour Eubank Jr, his best price is 5/6 with Betfair and Degale’s best price is 13/10 with Sporting Bet; and it is easy to see why Eubank, despite failing at the top level twice, starts as favourite. A prime Degale probably boxes the ears off Eubank Jr, however it’s a long time ago that Degale last looked in his prime. In his most recent fights Degale has not impressed: skipping over an 8 round fight last time out against a Colombian journeyman, Degale looked poor when labouring to a decision victory over unheralded Caleb Truax and looked even poorer in losing a majority decision to the same opponent in the bout before. Even in fights where Degale has come out with credit, and you’re stretching your mind back to 2015 to recall them (bouts against Bute and Dirrell), he still displayed a physical vulnerability that undermines all the technical skill he possesses. He appears incapable of applying himself over 12 rounds and is inevitably caught, hurt and concedes rounds in what appears to be a lack of fitness, strength or concentration. A diminished James Degale, displaying the same old flaws, the lapses in concentration, carrying his hands low, allowing himself to be hit, is potentially the perfect opponent for an athletic puncher like Eubank Jr.
On the flipside, Eubank Jr has come in for some serious criticism since losing to George Groves a year ago. However, there needs to be some perspective – Groves is a big man at super middle and he has long levers and a great jab, his style was always going to make for a tough night for Eubank Jr. There’s little shame in losing to Groves in the manner that he did, he showed heart and willing but lacked a plan B against a better boxer on the night. Rather than use the Groves fight as an indicator, the better comparison is how Eubank Jr fared against Billy Joe Saunders. In terms of style Billy Joe Saunders is more similar to Degale than Groves – he’s slick, he drops his hands, he relies on head movement – and while Eubank Jr lost that fight, it was a close split decision and Eubank Jr dragged Billy Joe into a scrap and won most rounds in the second half of the fight. If Eubank Jr goes after Degale in a similar fashion to how he boxed in the second half of the Saunders fight, he has every chance of winning the fight on points or via a stoppage.
Degale’s proclamation that this is a retirement fight is worrying – his head may already be in Ibiza rather than the task in hand. With that in mind, and considering his recent performances, the 10/11 for a Eubank Jr victory is a price worth backing. Degale is likely to start sharp but begin to fall apart as Eubank Jr lands his shots, the accumulation of which could easily lead to a stoppage in the second half of the fight. Chris Eubank Jr to win in rounds 7-12 is 4/1 can add a bit more in the way of returns.
