Roy Jones Jr, the former trainer of Chris Eubank Jr, has shared his thoughts on Eubank's abilities as the Brighton boxer gets ready for his April 26 fight with Conor Benn. Jones, an American boxing legend, addressed criticisms and misconceptions about their training relationship.
Jones worked with Eubank from 2020 until just before the rematch with Liam Smith. During their time together, Eubank won fights against Marcus Morrison, Wanik Awdijan, and Liam Williams. He also suffered his first stoppage loss to Liam Smith. After parting ways with Jones, Eubank went on to win the rematch against Smith via stoppage.
Some critics have suggested that Jones tried to make Eubank fight like him. Jones strongly disagreed with this idea when speaking to Gunman Boxing.
"Any fight fan that thinks that is out of their mind. I never ask any fighters to do anything that I don't think they can do, and I never ask other fighters to duplicate Roy Jones Jr. That would be stupid. I'm not God. That's completely out of the question. When I came to the Liam Smith fight, I told him, 'you don't need me for this fight. The old you is sufficient and exactly what you need.' So for people saying I took something out of him, they're wrong."
Jones explained that his goal was to add to Eubank's skills, not change his style completely. He pointed out small things Eubank was missing in fights against George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders.
"Don't say I took nothing out of him. I didn't. I added to him. I never would take nothing out of anybody … There was small things that he was missing, as you saw in the Groves fight and the Billy Joe Saunders fight … I was here to add what he would probably need if he [had those fights again] … That's the mistake fans make, they listen to people like Eddie Hearn who tell them, 'Oh Roy's changed Chris.' I didn't change nothing, he chose to change it."
Looking ahead to the fight with Conor Benn, Jones thinks Eubank Jr has the edge due to his size advantage. However, he cautioned that Benn's power means he can't be counted out.
Eubank Jr, now 35, will face Benn in a match that's got boxing fans talking. With Jones' insights, we've got a clearer picture of Eubank's abilities and how he's developed as a fighter.
