We’re all for super-fights but there’s a very good reason that weight classes exist in boxing.
In one of the stranger beefs seen in quite a while, IBO super-middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. called out WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew after a heated Twitter exchange.
The tension began when Bellew claimed that he had “seen better belts sold in Matalan,” when referencing the strap held by Eubank Jr.
The same man who said he'd leave me asleep within 2 rounds and put me in hospital. As for your IBO? Next have got more prestigious belts 🙈😂 https://t.co/FUhre5PTMd
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) March 23, 2017
The pair went back and forth, with Eubank Jr. holding his own in the war of words by mocking Bellew’s recent victory over David Haye.
Every1 knows without that injury you would've got banged. Rematch or come down to SuperMiddle & ill show u what boxing is about @TonyBellew
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) March 23, 2017
But the trash talk seemed like it would never result in a meeting between the ropes given the huge weight difference between the two men.
Eubank Jr. most recently weighed in at 11st 13lbs for his TKO victory over Renold Quinlan while Bellew came in at 15st 3lbs for his heavyweight debut against Haye.
That’s a lot of size to give up but ‘Next Gen’ has a novel idea for how Bellew could drop down for the all-British showdown.
Lay off the pizza & donuts for a while & ull make it. Then every1 will stop laughing at you for having the body of a bus driver @TonyBellew
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) March 24, 2017
Bellew seemed to be treating it as no more than a bit of banter but it sounds like the Eubank camp is serious about the fight as Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has since revealed that the father of Eubank Jr. had been in touch.
Hearn couldn’t help but laugh off the enquiry (which you can see at the 7.50 mark of the below IFL TV video) as he noted the ridiculous nature of even entertaining the idea that the fight could come together.
“Senior messaged me and asked if there were legs in this,” Hearn said.
“He’s 15st 5lbs is Tony Bellew. I don’t know what to say.
“You’ve got a middleweight calling out a heavyweight. It was bizarre.
“And they’re actually saying ‘What do you think? Do you want to have a chat about this?’ I was like ‘No!'”
