Chris Eubank Jr’s manager lays out comeback timeline in update on boxer’s future

Chris Eubank Jr is expected to return to the ring before the year is out.

The Brighton boxer’s future had been in doubt after suffering a lopsided unanimous decision defeat to Conor Benn in November at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Eubank Jr beat Benn on points in a high-octane inaugural encounter in April, but looked like a shadow of his former self in the rematch.

‘Next Gen’ alluded to the fact that his difficulties with making the 160lbs middleweight limit and a subsequent 10lbs rehydration clause had led to his downfall.

His promoter, Ben Shalom, then confirmed that Eubank Jr is looking to jump back up to super middleweight (168lbs) for one last roll of the dice.

And now, Eubank Jr’s long-time manager, Elliot ‘Napper’ Amoakoh, has revealed when boxing fans can expect his client to launch a comeback.

When will Chris Eubank Jr return?

“He’ll get to fight like September, October, November, around those types of times,” Amoakoh told Seconds Out.

“He’s expecting kids right now. He’s about to be a father, so let him be a father for a few months.

“He’s in the gym still. I’m dragging him to the gym with me in Dubai.

“Even without me there, he’s in the gym every day anyway.

“I can tell he wants to fight again. He just needs to make sure when he comes back, he’s 100%.

“He doesn’t want to perform not at his best.

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“He wants to show everyone that he, at his best, is still a live opponent, still one of the best fighters in his division out there.”

Who could Chris Eubank Jr fight?

One option for Eubank Jr is an immediate WBC super middleweight title shot.

Even though he hasn’t competed at 168lbs since 2019 and is coming off a loss to Benn, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has given Eubank Jr the green light to face full champion Christian Mbilli.

“Absolutely [he can fight for a world title],” Sulaiman told Sky Sports.

“Chris Eubank is a tremendous fighter. I believe he sacrificed too much with the weight, and he’s a natural fighter for that division. Great potential.

“He’s a world-class fighter without a doubt. We’re going to address the situation in the following weeks to see what is coming up for Mbilli and the division.

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“Of course, Canelo, [Jaime] Munguia, Lester Martinez, Luka Plantic.

“There are so many fighters who can make great fights for the champion, Mbilli.”

Canelo Alvarez has also been floated around as a potential dance partner for Eubank Jr.

If Eubank Jr had beaten Benn for a second time, then Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh had promised him a bout with the Mexican superstar.

Canelo’s defeat to Terence Crawford in September has complicated his next steps somewhat, which could bring Eubank Jr back into the fold.

The former pound-for-pound king is currently on the lookout for an opponent for his proposed Mexican Independence Weekend fight on September 12.

This date lines up with Eubank Jr’s timeline.