Chris Eubank Jr could surprise many in the World Boxing Super Series… but he’s NOT my tip to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy, says Glenn McCrory
SunSport's boxing columnist and former world champ Glenn McCrory isn't sure his victory over Arthur Abraham was a true test
CHRIS EUBANK JNR glided through his toughest test to date comprehensively outpointing the tough and wily former two-weight World champion Arthur Abraham.
In doing so, the 27-year-old guaranteed his spot in the World Boxing Super Series, where eight boxers will battle at super-middleweight for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Also on the line will be George Groves' WBO belt - which Eubank Jnr could challenge for in the semi-finals.
But can the son of one of boxing's hall-of-famers and most flamboyant champs win this blockbuster tournament?
On Saturday at Wembley Arena, 37 year old German-based Armenian Abraham was made to look like like a top tier journeyman rather than the serious threat he was meant to provide.
Eubank Jnr controlled the fight at all times.
He looked confident on the attack as he effortlessly let go with classy combinations trying to penetrate Abraham's excellent defence which has let him down only once in 51 bouts against the best in the world.
On the rare and sporadic attack from Abraham, Eubank Jnr was comfortable enough to bob and weave, slip and slide his way to safety which gives a measure of his improvement at this lofty level.
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When Abraham did land with a clean blow it was laughed off then punishingly paid back in kind as Eubank Jnr would look to swarm forward with an impressive combination.
The landslide points victory was never in doubt as Eubank Jnr was the boss in every department.
But it begs the question - how much ambition did Abraham have left, especially after failing the weight at first time of asking by almost two pounds.
He may not be the fighter of 10 years ago but was still good enough to beat our own tough veterans in Paul Smith and Martin Murray handily enough, and had only one defeat in his last 11 bouts.
So it's onwards and upwards for Eubank Jnr as he has landed himself the final spot in the World Boxing Super Series with a quarter-final lined up against heavy-handed Turk undefeated Avni Yildirim.
Then there's the mouthwatering possibility of all British Semifinal against WBA champion George Groves if he successfully gets past Swindon's Jamie Cox.
Also in the competition is a lot of people's favourite to clean up the tournament and maybe the whole
super middleweight division, Liverpool's highly-rated Callum Smith.
Eubank can't be ignored and has a serious chance but I think Callum Smith will win it.
But I think Eubank will cause a surprise or two - don't rule him out if he comes up against Groves.
It's exciting times for the sport as history looks to repeat itself and those heady days when Eubank, Watson, Collins and Benn had the whole boxing world talking.
Now it's Eubank, Groves, Smith and DeGale fighting to see who's the big boxing star of today.
And maybe Chris Eubank Jnr can become ";Simply the Best."