By Boxing Scene Staff
January 2, 2023
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. is mapping out a hitlist for 2023, as he prepares to step into the ring in a few weeks.
Eubank Jr. will fight former world champion Liam Smith on January 21 at the AO Arena in Manchester, live on Sky Sports Box Office. He feels confident in his ability to topple Smith. Beyond the upcoming fight - Eubank wants to get in the ring with WBA, IBF, IBO middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin and undisputed super middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
"Golovkin number one because he has those middleweight belts and it's a fight that can and should be made," Eubank told Sky Sports.
"I guess Canelo would be number two. He's the big name. He's the guy everyone knows in the sport and I think I can beat him. Those would be my two Christmas wish list fights for the rest of the year."
Eubank believes the Golovkin fight will actually happen.
Back in September, Golovkin moved up to super middleweight and lost a twelve round decision in his trilogy fight with Canelo. They nearly fought in 2016, with a deal falling through - as Eubank was replaced in the fight by Kell Brook, who Golovkin stopped in five rounds.
If they come to the table for a second time, the British star does not expect Golovkin to walk away from the fight.
"I don't think that's going to happen. He's a prideful guy and he has the belts," Eubank said. "So he's never going to be the type of guy to just give them up. Someone's going to have to take them from him and that somebody is me. There's nobody else that people want to see him fight more than me. We have a long history. That fight could have been made a few years ago and it slipped through my fingers.
"Now we're in a position where he can't go anywhere else. The biggest payday, the biggest name out there is me so hopefully we get this fight made after the Smith fight, in the summer."
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