CHRIS EUBANK JR is on the lookout for a new trainer.
The Brighton middleweight has a rematch with Liam Smith to look forward to on September 2 but will do so without Roy Jones Jr.
Working together since 2021, the former four-weight world champion and legendary boxing figure guided Eubank 32-3 (23) to three wins and one defeat. Victories over Marcus Morrison, Wanik Awdijan, and Liam Williams were then followed by a sensational defeat to Smith in January. Their grudge match ended with a fourth-round stoppage in Manchester. It was the third defeat of Eubank’s career but the first to not go the distance.
Eubank, known for his granite chin, was backed into a corner in round four against Smith and then dropped for the first time in his career. The 33-year-old stood back up but looked in no position to continue, such was the unsteadiness in his legs. Referee Victor Loughlin allowed the bout to continue, but within seconds he was down again. The fight was called off just as Jones was about to throw the towel in.
Jones informed Boxing News that he is no longer Eubank’s trainer during an interview before yesterday’s Errol Spence-Terence Crawford Las Vegas weigh-in.
Asked if he would be working with Eubank for the September 2 date in Manchester, the 54-year-old replied, “No.”
“This time our schedules didn’t line up. I have more fights and other fighters I have fights coming up, so our schedules didn’t line up this time,” he added.
BN asked the one-time pound-for-pound number one if he would work with Eubank again in the future.
“I don’t know. Maybe,” he replied.
In May, former cruiserweight champion David Haye was brought into the fold by Eubank. The pair are friends outside the ring, and the addition of ‘The Hayemaker’ added more star power to a corner which already featured a hall-of-famer.
Smith, meanwhile, is enjoying an Indian summer with friend and trainer Joe McNally at their training base in Liverpool. Another win over Eubank could take him towards a world title opportunity at middleweight or back down at super-welterweight.
A fourth loss in the career of Eubank would be another huge blow to the polarizing British star.