The World Boxing Super Series super middleweight tournament now has its second semi-finalist in Chris Eubank Jr. The son of the legend got their in style too as he wiped away Avni Yildirim in three rounds Saturday afternoon in Germany.
In the preview for this fight I talked about my levels of uncertainty. I allowed for almost any possibility in an intriguing matchup, but Chris Eubank Jr (26-1, 20 KOs) definitely took it to one of the seemingly less likely results. In the end, Avni Yildirim (16-1, 10 KOs) just couldn’t deal with the son of the British legend’s power.
In the first round, the combatants came out firing. Both were landing nice shots, particularly a stiff right hand at the mid point from the Turkish prospect, and it looked like we were going to be treated to an excellent fight. In the last minute of the round, Eubank snuck in one of his patented uppercuts with his own back to the ropes. As a fighter with his weight always forward, Yildirim was tailor made for the shot and it dropped him ever so briefly to a knee.
The unbeaten fighter rose just fine and fought well in an even second round. Both were landing well. The third, however, was a different story. Eubank Jr, who has one of the most unique styles in the sport, just decided to unleash one of his extended combinations that we’ve come to know so well. A few of the shots landed big, seeming to buzz Yildirim. The Turkish brawler decided to wing back in the middle of the barrage and this proved to be his undoing. A left found his unprotected chin. The fight was waved off immediately as he hit the canvas.
Make no mistake about it, Chris Eubank Jr made a big statement here. Given his last easy win over longtime titlist and contender Arthur Abraham plus this one, the son is no longer just the name of his father. He has legitimized himself as a top contender in his own right.
In the semis, Eubank will meet the winner of next weekend’s bout between George Groves and Jamie Cox. This will be for the WBA belt. Groves is a heavy, heavy favorite there too. If those two were to meet, it would be a really big fight in the UK.
