‘I left him on the ropes in sparring’- McDonagh predicts Eubank Jr knockout

JJ McDonagh believes he can end the career of Chris Eubank Jr in Suadi Arabia on Saturday night.

The Westmeath super middle is a surprise opponent for the controversial star and will compete against the Brighton on the George Groves vs Callum Smith World Boxing Super Series undercard.

The two time Irish super middleweight champion is a massive underdog going into the clash, but despite just three weeks notice is confident of causing an upset.

Indeed, the Assassin Promotions fighter believes he can stop the fighter who lost to George Groves in the semi final of the WSSB tournament.

“Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves showed a lot of skill to beat him – but I have the power. I can use that to knock him out and end his career once and for all,” McDonagh told the Irish Sun.

“I firmly believe that now is the best opportunity for me to get a stoppage.”

McDonagh’s confidence comes from a short three round spar with the super fit super middle.

The southpaw, who beat Jake Ball in quikfire fashion on a big Matchroom show a a few days notice, jumped in the ring with Eubank after he had done a number of rounds with his brother JJ McDonagh, ahead of the light heavyweight’s Irish title win in March,and claims he put it on English fighter.

In fact he claims but for Eubank’s coach Ronnie Davis’ intervention he could have done some real damage.

“I left him on the ropes twice with body shots – his trainer Ronnie (Davies) had to step in.”

Saturday should represent the biggest pay day in the sizeable but slick enough super middles career, but he is adamant money wasn’t the motivation behind taking the fight.

McDonagh is aware that a win could prove life changing and lead to massive oppurtuinites and is motivated accordingly.

“When my manager called me up about the possibility of this fight we both agreed it was too big an opportunity to turn down.

“This could be life changing for me – it’s an unbelievable opportunity for me.

“It will be a tough fight, but I’m more than ready for him.”