Chris Eubank Jr returns this weekend in Saudi Arabia on the Beterbiev vs Bivol bill in a classic card.
He is hyped up and ready to go.
He went into detail on all things his career before the first bell this weekend with the folks at TNT Boxing:
“I’ve been attending R-season events for a while now, and every time I’m there, I think to myself, “Man, I need to get in on this. I need to be part of it.” The events, the fights, the promotion—everything they do is top-notch. It’s impressive. It’s great for the fans and for the fighters, so I’ve always known I wanted to fight on these cards. And now, here we are.
Now that you’re here, how does it feel?
It’s been fun so far. Training camp has gone well. I fly out to Dubai on Saturday, spend a week there to acclimate to the Middle Eastern weather and the time difference, and then head to Saudi for the final week. I fought in Saudi in 2018, but the landscape was very different back then. Now, it’s kind of the new hub of world boxing, and I’m excited to debut in Riyadh against a tough opponent in Kamil Szeremeta. He’s 25-2, no slouch. I’ll need to be sharp. I’ve been out of the ring for a year, so it’ll be interesting and exciting to see how I feel getting back in there, but I’m ready. I’m feeling good.
I was going to ask, given that you’ve been out for a year, how much are you looking forward to actually getting back in the ring and fighting?
At my age, inactivity is definitely a bad thing. We’ve seen it with fighters like Deontay Wilder—after a layoff, they’re not quite the same. I don’t think that’ll happen with me. In fact, I know it won’t. Going through camp and cutting weight again is essential. I want to stay active, fighting at least two or three times over the next 8 to 12 months, and working with His Excellency and the R-season team makes that possible.
You seem confident that you’ll be the same fighter, even after a year off. What gives you that confidence? What have you done in the last 12 months to ensure you’ll perform at the same level?
It’s just how I feel in camp right now. I don’t feel like I’ve lost any speed, strength, or stamina. I still have the energy and passion. Once that starts to fade, that’s when you begin to think about stepping away. But for me, the fire is burning brighter than ever, so I’m just excited to get back in the ring and show everyone what I can do.
Have you done anything differently in this camp compared to earlier in your career? Have you adjusted based on your experience?
Absolutely. If you’re doing the same things you did 10 years ago, you haven’t learned or improved. There are always new things to learn—better ways to prepare, cut weight, train, sleep, and eat. Over time, you learn what works for your body and what doesn’t, and you adapt. That’s how you have longevity in this sport. The fighters who don’t adapt, they burn out.
How do you typically approach fight week, and do you think it will change for these R-season cards, given how busy fight week can be?
I haven’t been through an R-season fight week yet, so I can’t say for sure. But I’m aware of the demands on my time leading up to the fight. For now, I’m sticking to my camp schedule. Once I get to Saudi, if there are extra things asked of me, I’ll work around them. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
You mentioned you fought in Saudi back in 2018. How does the climate and heat affect you during fight week and in the ring?
I don’t think the climate inside the arena will be an issue, but as for the heat throughout the week, it’s not a concern for me. I live in Las Vegas, and that kind of heat is ingrained in me. I’ve trained in hot gyms with no air conditioning or even with the heat turned up, so I’m used to it. The Middle Eastern climate won’t be a problem.
Let’s talk about your opponent, Kamil Szeremeta. He’s a tough guy, with only two losses to world champions like Gennady Golovkin and Jaime Munguia. How do you approach a fight against someone with that kind of pedigree?
He’s definitely a tough opponent, and I’ve got to be sharp. If I’m not, it could derail everything I’ve got planned. That’s why I’m training hard every day. I can’t just win—I need to look good doing it. Golovkin got him out in seven rounds; I’m aiming to do it in six.
Is that why you chose an opponent like him, to really test yourself after a year off?
For sure. You need to fight these kinds of opponents to stay sharp, stay active, and get the momentum going. I’ve been inactive, and that’s something I won’t let happen again in my career. This fight is the start of that.
Do you think you need to be impressive to get back into the big fights?
Yes, I need to win and do so in devastating fashion. If I don’t, why would people want to see me fight Canelo, Conor Benn, Billy Joe Saunders, or Terence Crawford? If I can’t beat this guy convincingly, why am I fighting them?
Is this your opportunity to get back into the spotlight and secure big fights?
Absolutely. There’s still so much for me in my boxing career. It’s not just a belief; it’s reality. We’re already in talks with Canelo, Benn, Saunders, and the middleweight titleholders. I just need to do my job, stay disciplined, and all those big fights will happen.
You mentioned Conor Benn. Is that a fight you’re targeting next?
Yes, if he sorts out his license, that’s definitely a fight I want next.
Could that fight fit into another R-season card?
Yes, I’ve had that conversation with His Excellency, and he’s very interested in that fight, so we’ll see what happens.
You were at the fights at Wembley recently. Did you watch Hamzah Sheeraz? What are your thoughts on him?
I didn’t see his fight, and honestly, he’s not a name I’m interested in right now. He’s not proven yet, and he doesn’t have a following. He needs to build himself up before I can consider fighting him. There are too many big names out there for me to focus on.
So for that fight to happen, he would need to reach your level?
Yes, exactly. He needs to get to a point where he’s a name that people know, and right now, he isn’t.
Looking ahead, what do the next 12 months look like for you if you’re victorious on the 12th?
I’ve already laid out the plan. All those names are lined up over the next 12 months, and I’m ready for it.
Lastly, what are your thoughts on the headliner, Bivol? Many boxing fans are excited for that clash.
I think it’s going to be a great fight, and I expect Bivol to come away with the victory. It might be a technical fight since both fighters are strong and tough, but Bivol is younger and fresher, so I’d pick him to win.”
Eubank Jr is still a big name in the sport and if he were to win impressively this weekend, big fights like the above are indeed possible of course.
He must get the win this weekend first however.
He continues to push the family name in boxing and try to get some of the success his legendary father, Chris Eubank Senior, had in the sweet science.
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