Nick ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell is two weeks away from defending his British middleweight title against Chris Eubank Jr. at The SSE Arena, Wembley and claims the hotly-anticipated grudge match is “better than a world title fight”.
Blackwell and Eubank Jr. lock horns on March 26, following months of heated back-and-forth, and promoter Mick Hennessy’s long-held view that the fight features two world-class middleweights is one shared by Blackwell.
“We can both definitely mix it at the top level,” said Blackwell. “We’ve shown that in the past and the winner on March 26 will no doubt show it again in the future.
“I love calling myself British champion. It’s a real honour. But I’m not content with just winning the belt. I want to win it outright – which I’ll do when I beat Eubank Jr. – and then I want to win titles at European and world level. That has been my aim since day one.
“I know world titles are a real possibility for me once I silence Eubank Jr. and get that British belt outright.”
Blackwell’s hopes of a world title opportunity increased this week when learning former foe Max Bursak, a man Blackwell pushed to the wire only to be robbed on the scorecards, had landed a shot at Billy Joe Saunders’ WBO world middleweight title in April.
“That was a real eye-opener for me,” said the 25-year-old. “I dropped Bursak and beat him up for most of the rounds we shared, but it was in Ukraine and he got the benefit of the doubt. Since then he has lost three fights and I know for a fact I would stop him inside the distance if we were to box again.
“So, to see him get an opportunity like this – a world title shot – gives hope to us all. I’m on better form than he is at the moment, I’ve beaten better opponents and I’m far more deserving of a world title shot.
“If anything, Bursak and Saunders boxing for a world title just goes to show how good this fight with Eubank Jr. really is.
“If you were to ask any boxing fan which fight they’d rather watch I’d imagine the majority of them would say my fight with Eubank Jr. on March 26. In this case, then, a British title fight is far better than a world title fight.”
*** Tickets for the British middleweight title blockbuster between Nick ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell and Chris Eubank Jr. are priced at £35, £50, £75, £175, £200 and £250 for ringside and can be purchased online at ssearena.co.uk and axs.com or by phoning the SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office on 0844 815 0815 ***
