What happened between Chris Eubank Jr. and his father? Explaining their estranged relationship and public rift
Chris Eubank Jr. and his father, Chris Eubank Sr., are both well-known figures in the boxing community. The older Eubank is beheld as a legend of the sport and one of the most skilled and powerful British pugilists ever. The father-son duo long shared a bond of love and respect, but they've publicly feuded over the past few years.
Presently, Eubank is coming off a seventh-round KO victory against Poland's Kamil Szeremeta on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight's undercard in Riyadh on Oct. 12, 2024. 'Next Gen's' win earned him the IBO middleweight championship.
What happened between Chris Eubank Jr. and his father?
Chris Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) has held a few titles at middleweight and super middleweight, but a big four (WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF) title has eluded him. Eubank Sr. has often criticized his son in regard to boxing, especially in recent years.
The 58-year-old has often underscored that his son could chase 'money fights' all he wants, but if he truly intends to win the hearts of the people, his only saving grace would be fighting boxing legend Canelo Alvarez.
Watch Eubank Sr. lambast Eubank Jr. for 'wasting' his boxing talent below:
Speaking to iFL TV in February 2024, Eubank Sr. suggested that Chris Eubank Jr.'s decision to branch out was unwise and warned that without his guidance, he'd surely lose to Alvarez. Additionally, akin to mentoring Eubank Jr., Eubank Sr. has lately mentored his nephew Harlem Eubank.
Furthermore, Eubank Sr. suggested that he won't jump to volunteer to help Eubank Jr., but wishes him the best and could return if 'Next Gen' requested him to. He said:
"He is his own manager. He asked me to leave. He said, 'Dad, I want to do it my way now' ... This was about three years ago."
Watch Eubank Sr.'s assessment below (14:35):
Chris Eubank Sr. and Chris Eubank Jr. are known to be mutually respectful despite their professional differences. Speaking to Mail Sport Boxing last month, Eubank Jr. asserted he simply wanted a normal father-son relationship rather than a coach-student dynamic:
"I just need a dad."
Speaking to All Out Fighting earlier this month, Eubank Jr. claimed his father doesn't play a role in his camp anymore, which he acknowledged was strange because he'd guided him throughout his personal and professional life.
Eubank Jr. highlighted he's "very appreciative" for everything he's done for him, but wants to be his own man. He said:
"It would be if that was the case. That's what I want. At this moment in time, he's having trouble in separating the business, and the boxing, and the coaching, from being just my dad. For so many years, that was how he was my dad. So when that's not there, it's like, 'Well, what do I do?' I think that's what he's dealing with right now."
"So yeah, I think it's going to take me kind of being out of boxing for him to be able to come back into my life. I hope that's not the case, but at the moment, that's just how I see it," he added.
Check out Chris Eubank Jr.'s comments below (6:32):