Chris Eubank Jr’s Father Wants Canelo Alvarez to Snub Terence Crawford for 35 YO Champion: “That Makes Sense”
“I will not be an accomplice to their stupidity, their circus,” Chris Eubank Sr. stated vehemently only yesterday when asked about Chris Eubank Jr’s fight next week. While Nigel Benn has been fully hands-on in his son Conor Benn‘s training camp ahead of the highly anticipated fight with Chris Eubank Jr., things are a bit different on the other side. Chris Eubank Sr, who once mentored and trained his son during the early stages of his career, is no longer involved. Their relationship is a bit torn at the moment, with the British boxing legend publicly bashing his son’s next fight.
In a blunt and scathing admission, Eubank Sr shut down the idea of him even visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 26th April. His main issue? The weight disparity between the two combatants. Conor Benn, a natural welterweight at 147lbs, is moving up to Eubank Jr’s middleweight territory at 160lbs. Even with a 10lbs rehydration clause in the contract meant to level the playing field, Eubank Sr isn’t ready to accept it—he insists the fight goes “against the rules” of the sport. Interestingly, though, there is one fight he does back for his son: Chris Eubank Jr vs. Canelo Alvarez. Why?
Eubank Sr. not a fan of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford
“Ladies and gentlemen! I’d back Eubank Jr. vs Canelo – And here’s why. New episode of #callchriseubank is out now,” Chris Eubank Sr. posted on his X handle earlier today. In the clip, Eubank Sr. started the conversation with the highly anticipated matchup of September this year. As far as he’s concerned, it’s just not a realistic fight. Why? A very obvious answer—weight classes. “As much as we may want to see a Canelo against Crawford, the weights are wrong and so it can not happen,” he stated emphatically.
A stickler for weight classes in boxing, Eubank Sr. isn’t too keen on the idea of Terence Crawford moving up in weight just to make the fight happen. Bud Crawford would have to bulk up significantly, stepping way outside his natural comfort zone just to meet the bigger Canelo Alvarez at 167 lbs, where Canelo is sure to have an advantage. That kind of physical leap could throw off everything that makes Crawford great. For Eubank Sr., that kind of mismatch doesn’t sit right either for Canelo-Crawford or for the upcoming Eubank-Benn fight.
“The fight you should be looking for is the Chris Eubank Jr. against a Canelo.” Why? Because, as he puts it, “That makes sense.” And honestly, he’s got a point. If Eubank Jr. and Canelo face off, there’s no major weight cutting or bulking up involved—Canelo fights at super middleweight, and Eubank Jr. is a natural middleweight, even holding the IBO middleweight title. They’re in the same neighborhood, weight-wise. Even age-wise, they’re pretty close. It’s a matchup that feels balanced, and from a boxing perspective, that’s important. Plus, for Eubank Sr., seeing his 35-year-old champion son step into the ring with a global star like Canelo Alvarez would be a huge moment, way more meaningful than fighting a younger, less proven opponent.
And that brings us to Conor Benn. The fact that Benn is moving up in weight to meet Eubank Jr. says a lot. For Eubank Sr., the Canelo fight isn’t just logical—it’s strategic. It’s a bigger name, a better matchup, and a chance for his son to elevate his career rather than risk it all in a grudge match that could turn sour if he loses.
But let’s not forget how much Eubank Sr. respects Terence Crawford. He’s not dismissing the 37-year-old’s talent. In fact, he praised him heavily. He called Crawford “A brilliant, talented, fabulous and an extraordinary champion of the old school.” And then he made an important point: “Old school has to become new school.” In other words, Crawford’s mindset, dedication, and style should be the blueprint for the next generation. However, the thing is—whether Chris Eubank Sr. supports the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford matchup or not, it’s still a fight that could very well happen. And the same goes for the showdown between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr.—regardless of Sr.’s disapproval, that fight is happening.
