A new name has entered the Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes, with the Mexican star now tipped to take on British star Chris Eubank Jr. later this year. The news was broken Thursday by ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez.
Rumors had circulated that Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) would defend his undisputed super middleweight championship against either former WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo or unbeaten Brooklynite Edgar Berlanga.
But with Eubank Jr. both a free agent and a bankable commodity in the U.K., this matchup is certainly realistic.
“Chris Eubank Jr. joined the list of possible rivals for Canelo Alvarez, and is now the favorite to close an agreement,” wrote Rodriguez in a social media post translated from Spanish. “He was a world middleweight champion and has a record of 33-3 with 24 KOs. He has just knocked out Liam Smith, a former victim of the [Canelo].”
Eubank Jr. has never held a legitimate title at 160 pounds and his win over Smith was on points, so some of the message may have been lost in translation.
The 34-year-old has made plenty of money in his career, but the mega fights have eluded him. The Brighton man pushed Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves in 12-round fights, but he was outpointed both times.
Has Chris Eubank Jr. ever fought at super middleweight?
In 2017, Eubank Jr. debuted at super middleweight against the unheralded Renold Quinlan and scored a 10th-round stoppage.
An impressive win over former middleweight champ Arthur Abraham followed before Eubank Jr. entered the World Boxing Super Series at 168 pounds. After demolishing Avni Yildirim in three, he was outpointed by Groves.
One of Eubank Jr.’s most memorable wins took place at super middleweight when he outpointed former champ James De Gale in 2019. However, he has since moved back down to middleweight and is 5-1 in his last six fights.
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Can Chris Eubank Jr. beat Canelo Alvarez?
Eubank Jr. turned in a brilliant display of boxing last time out against former conqueror Liam Smith. The Englishman controlled the fight from start to finish, avenging a 2022 stoppage loss and rekindling his world title ambitions.
However, Canelo is a different proposition altogether and is levels above. Eubank Jr. has very little chance of outboxing the Mexican fighter over 12 rounds and less chance of producing the type of power required to knock him out.
The odds would favor Canelo by a wide unanimous decision, which has been the usual result of late.