Spike’s Eubank Jr hopes gone up in smoke again

GARY ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan didn’t his Christmas wish and won’t get to fight Chris Eubank Jr in England on February 28.

After his impressive knock out of Anthony Fitzgerald in the 3 Arena last November the Cork middleweight set his sights on settling his differences with Eubank Jr. ‘Spike’ offered to provide the opposition for the son of fight British fight legend Chris Eubank on February 28, but despite defeat to Billy Joe Saunders in his last bout Eubank Jr has secured a WBA Interim title shot. O’Sullivan is set to have next fight news very soon, but he won’t get to trade leather with Eubank.

A press release from Frank Warren today read:

British boxing stars Chris Eubank Jnr. and Paul Butler kick start 2015 with the big news that they will fight for world titles, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Eubank Jnr. returns to the ring against Interim WBA World Middleweight Champion Dmitry Chudinov at the O2 arena on Saturday 28th February, whilst undefeated Butler challenges IBF World Super-Flyweight Champion Zolani Tete on Friday 6th March in Liverpool.

The Brighton star features as chief support on the massive fight card headlined by Tyson Fury’s WBO International Heavyweight title defence against Christian Hammer.

For Eubank Jnr. it’s an immediate high-level comeback into championship action following his very close split decision loss to bitter rival Billy Joe Saunders in November.

Although it was the 25-year-old’s first career loss in 19 fights, many ringside observers felt that he showed the qualities of future champion which will be improved with more big fight experience.

He now gets to prove his mettle when he faces hard Russian Chudinov who’s unbeaten in 16 fights with nine KO’s and has made two defences of the Interim WBA World title.

A win for Eubank Jnr. could also see a mouthwatering rematch against Saunders with two world titles on the line if Saunders is successful in his WBO World title challenge against new champion Andy Lee when the fight is confirmed.

Ellesmere Port ace Butler bids to become the first British boxer in over a 100 years to win a second world title at a lighter weight, with the last being Cornish heavyweight legend Bob Fitzsimmons.

Butler raced to his first world title in June when he stepped up to bantamweight and defeated Stuart Hall to capture IBF World title and become the fastest Englishman to win a world title in the least amount of fights.

The 25-year-old talent returns to the 115 pound division to face South African Tete who had to withdraw from their scheduled fight in October after breaking his hand in training.

Promoter Frank Warren said, “It’s been a busy Christmas period, but I’m delighted to secure world title fights for Chris and Paul early in the new year which is fantastic news for them. For Chris, it was a close fight against Billy and the loss to a big rival would have been hard to take, but he now has a great opportunity to go straight back into the ring and claim a world championship belt and prove that he’s learnt from the loss and show that he’s the real thing. I believe that Paul is a super-talent and I’m especially pleased to deliver him a second and history making world title opportunity against Tete which should have happened in October. He gets the chance now and I’m sure he’ll grab the opportunity with both hands. It’s a great start to the year and there is more big news to come shortly for Liam Smith and Derry Mathews on the Liverpool show.”