Connect with us

Sport

Emotional Chris Eubank Jr opens up on becoming father overnight after brother’s death and how he won’t copy his star dad

Published

on

Emotional Chris Eubank Jr opens up on becoming father overnight after brother's death and how he won't copy his star dad

CHRIS EUBANK Jr wants to hit the boxing jackpot to give his nephew the life he deserves.

In July 2021, Raheem was only a month old when his dad Sebastian  — the younger brother of Chris Jr — died of a heart attack in Dubai, aged 29.

Chris Eubank Jr is dedicating the rest of his boxing career to help provide for his late brother Sebastian's son Raheem

7

Chris Eubank Jr is dedicating the rest of his boxing career to help provide for his late brother Sebastian’s son RaheemCredit: X/ ChrisEubankJr
Chris Eubank Senior tragically lost his son Sebastian in 2021

7

Advertisement
Chris Eubank Senior tragically lost his son Sebastian in 2021Credit: Getty
Kamil Szeremeta will take on Eubank Jr in Riyadh this Saturday

7

Kamil Szeremeta will take on Eubank Jr in Riyadh this SaturdayCredit: Rex

It meant uncle Chris became a dad overnight and three years on Raheem, who has just started school, is now chasing him around the practice ring ahead of his middleweight clash with Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

At 35, Eubank Jr looks  unlikely to follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a world champion — with a scrap against nemesis Conor Benn likely to follow.

But he explained that the total devastation that struck his family  left him with a new drive in the shape of a nephew he now treats like his own son.

Advertisement

He said: “I remember going to my brother’s grave for the first time and that’s where I first met Raheem and I held him in front of the grave and it calmed me down.

“His energy and him being very quiet while on my chest gave me peace.

“I felt then that everything would be OK.

“I felt that we might have a second chance here.

Advertisement

“I love that little boy. I use Raheem as a tool to strengthen my will and my soul and my spirit.

Chris Eubank Jr's younger brother Sebastian was also a boxer

7

Chris Eubank Jr’s younger brother Sebastian was also a boxerCredit: X/ ChrisEubankJr

VegasLand welcome bonus

100 spins + up to £200 bonus

18+; new depositing players only. Welcome package split over 3 deposits:
Min. 1st deposit £10. min. 2nd and 3rd deposit £20.
35x wagering requirement applies to match up bonus and spins. Spins credited in specific games. Spins expire after 24 hours. Terms and Conditions Apply.

Advertisement

SIGN UP

“Raheem is going to live a long and fulfilled life and I only have a few years of boxing left.

“So I need to do everything I can over the next three or four years to make sure he has the best life he can possibly have growing up.”

Chris Eubank Jr shows his boxing skills in brutal punch bag workout
Eubank Jr has arrived in the Saudi capital for his middleweight bout

7

Advertisement
Eubank Jr has arrived in the Saudi capital for his middleweight boutCredit: Getty

The death of Sebastian understandably took a terrible toll on his father, Chris Eubank Sr.

The  theatrical but granite-hard two-weight world champion was suddenly weak and vulnerable and preyed upon — saying things that caused a rift with his eldest son.

The flare-up was exacerbated by Eubank Sr’s disgust at his son stripping  down to 157lb to face Benn, who failed a drugs test before their October 2022 grudge bout was called off.

Sadly, especially for little Raheem, who is now three, the gladiatorial gene pool is not fully reunited yet.

Advertisement

Dubai-based Eubank Jr said: “We should be able to help Raheem without boxing involved.

“But  there is still a wedge between us. Until the day I retire, I don’t ever see that wedge not being there.

“It should not be that way but he is set in his ways and he can’t seem to separate the boxing business from being a dad.

“I don’t need Chris Eubank Sr the boxer, businessman, coach, mentor, advisor.

Advertisement

“He is in a better place now. He was dealing with some demons — and he still is.

“But he has got over and through a lot of things and he is in a much healthier state of mind, thank God.

Eubank Junior says Chris Eubank Senior believes tears, punishment and discipline are important if you want to 'flourish' in sport

7

Eubank Junior says Chris Eubank Senior believes tears, punishment and discipline are important if you want to ‘flourish’ in sportCredit: Alamy

“I am very happy about that. I speak to him whenever I can, I keep up to date with how everything is going. I am hearing good things now, when a year or two ago I was not.

Advertisement

“I am very grateful that we have managed to get through that part of our lives.”

Eubank Jr makes his heart-breaking overnight transformation from super-cool uncle to doting dad sound like a doddle. But it means he is now in a rush to give Raheem the little sibling he himself adored in Sebastian.

And then he has to wrestle with the idea of both of his boys following down the brutally hard path that his dad, brother, cousins and uncles have all walked.

He explained: “Once I was put in this position for Raheem,  people saw a different side to me, a softer side.

Advertisement

“Spending time with Raheem makes me think more about having my own son, giving him a brother and raising them together.

“His dad was my brother and we grew up together and I want to give Raheem that.

“My new role means I have to teach Raheem — I cannot be Mr Nice Guy all the time.

“He has got to learn that certain things are not good or OK. In a sports setting, tough love and strict rules breed success.

Advertisement

My old man would say…‘What are you doing? Get back in the f*****g ring and work and learn and take your licks like a man’.

Chris Eubank Junior

“Nine times out of ten, if you don’t have the tears, punishment and discipline, then a kid is  not going to flourish in sport, especially boxing.

“My old man would watch me get hurt, he would watch me get beaten up and tell me, ‘Get back in the ring’.

“There were no hugs, there was no, ‘How are you son, are you feeling OK?’

“He would say, ‘What are you doing? Get back in the f*****g ring and work and learn and take your licks like a man’.

Advertisement

“That would break a lot of people, let alone kids, but it pushed me.
“Not everybody has it but you need it to survive in combat.

“I have a very soft spot for Raheem because of our situation, so I don’t think I would want to go through it with him.

“Would I love to see him  pursue a boxing career? No, I don’t think I would love it.

“I know his mother will not want him to do it — but his father did it, I do it and our father did it, so he has the genes, he’s part of our gene pool.”

Advertisement
Conor Benn could come next for Eubank Jr if he wins this weekend

7

Conor Benn could come next for Eubank Jr if he wins this weekendCredit: AP

Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sport

Distraught fans say ‘the game’s gone’ as iconic stadium to be renamed after mega-money partnership with Riyadh Air

Published

on

Distraught fans say 'the game's gone' as iconic stadium to be renamed after mega-money partnership with Riyadh Air

FANS are up in arms after Atletico Madrid announced their new stadium sponsor.

The Spanish giants moved into the 68,456-capacity Metropolitano Stadium in 2017 after leaving the iconic Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Riyadh Air will sponsor the Metropolitano stadium

1

Riyadh Air will sponsor the Metropolitano stadiumCredit: Alamy

The state-of-the-art venue hosted the 2019 Champions League final, when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1.

Advertisement

Now Atletico’s stadium will undergo a rebrand after the club agreed a deal with Saudi company Riyadh Air, according to AS via Expansion.

The sponsorship means the venue will be renamed the Riyadh Air Metropolitano until at least 2033.

The deal is reported to be worth in the region of £210-250million, and will see Riyadh Air increase their involvement in Atletico, having already sponsored their shirts.

Chinese company Wanda group sponsored the ground for the first five years before Civitas took over in 2022 in a deal worth £7m a year to Atletico.

Advertisement

Fans are unhappy at the switch with some declaring the “game has gone”.

One supporter reacted to the news saying: “Riyadh Air Metropolitano” not even remotely feels like their home ground name 🤮”

Another added: “Woke nonsense.”

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Advertisement

What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford

MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.

The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.

The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.

A capacity of 100,000 is expected.

Advertisement

It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.

The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.

United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.

There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.

Advertisement

However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.

The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.

The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.

Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.

Advertisement

The target is for completion by 2030.

A third wrote: “They’re coming for absolutely EVERYTHING.”

And another commented: “Atletico and Barcelona are selling their souls for money it’s embarrassing.”

Ex-Chelsea star Conor Gallagher already has his own song at Atletico Madrid as he’s serenaded by packed stadium on debut

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Cole Palmer: Is the Chelsea forward England’s most important player?

Published

on

Cole Palmer: Is the Chelsea forward England's most important player?


When interim boss Lee Carsley oversaw the wins against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, he did so without arguably some of his most important players.

As well as Palmer, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham were also absent.

While Palmer has made a blistering start to the season, Foden and Bellingham are yet to really get going.

Advertisement

Manchester City forward Foden scored 27 goals in all competitions last season and won the PFA Player of the Year award, but he has started just two Premier League games so far for Pep Guardiola’s side this time around.

Meanwhile, Bellingham began this season with a leg injury and has just one assist and no goals in the five La Liga games he has played for Real Madrid so far.

Then, of course, there is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. He featured in all of England’s games at Euro 2024, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

He has once again been a key player for the Gunners so far this season and was brilliant in the Champions League win against Paris St-Germain last week, and again in the weekend win against Southampton.

Advertisement

To make life even more difficult for Carsley, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has also been impressing and is another strong option to start for the Three Lions.

Carsley has suggested it is important to find a way to get all his best players in, and he selected Palmer as a central midfielder at England Under-21 level.

“Carsley has got to find a way of getting him into the team, but it doesn’t have to be as the number 10 ahead of Foden or Bellingham because he can play off the right as well,” former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said.

“With the talent Palmer has, and his goals and his numbers, this season his form has been better than Bukayo Saka’s, and in fact it has been better than anyone’s.

Advertisement

“I have always believed that if someone’s form is good, get them in. So, whether it is the right or in the middle, Carsley has to fit him in. He must start for England against Greece.”



Source link

Continue Reading

Sport

Jurgen Klopp: Former Liverpool boss appointed global head of soccer at Red Bull

Published

on

Solheim Cup 2024: US beat Europe in Virginia for first win since 2017

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed global head of soccer at Red Bull.

The 57-year-old German will begin the role on 1 January 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” said Klopp.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

Advertisement

Energy drinks brand Red Bull owns RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga, Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, as well as Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino.

It also took a minority stake in Championship side Leeds and became the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor earlier this year.

Red Bull says Klopp will not be involved in day-to-day operations but will advise teams on playing philosophy, transfer strategy and coaching development.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sport

Brilliant Joe Root makes history as he overtakes Alastair Cook to become England’s highest ever Test run scorer

Published

on

Brilliant Joe Root makes history as he overtakes Alastair Cook to become England's highest ever Test run scorer

JOE ROOT has broken Sir Alastair Cook’s record to become England’s highest ever Test run scorer.

The 33-year-old surpassed the record of 12,472 runs with yet another sumptuous innings in Pakistan.

Joe Root is now England's all-time leading Test run scorer

2

Joe Root is now England’s all-time leading Test run scorerCredit: Getty
He is the fifth all-time Test run scorer

2

Advertisement
He is the fifth all-time Test run scorerCredit: AP

He reached 50 for the 64th time in his Test career on his way to usurping Cook – while he also has 34 hundreds.

Root is now fifth on the all-time list as India legend Sachin Tendulkar leads the way with 15,921.

Australia’s Ricky Ponting, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis and India’s Rahul Dravid are also ahead of Root.

The Yorkshireman gave a reserved reaction after eclipsing Cook as he remained focused on getting England back into the Test against Pakistan.

Advertisement

The hosts posted a huge 556 in their first innings, but Root and Ben Duckett steered England past 200-2 in reply.

At lunch, they were 232-2.

According to BBC Sport, Root broke the run record on the day of his brother Billy’s record.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

Advertisement

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sport

Joe Root overtakes Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer

Published

on

Joe Root overtakes Sir Alastair Cook to become England's all-time leading Test run-scorer

Joe Root has overtaken Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s highest Test run-scorer of all time.

Root eclipsed Cook’s tally of 12,472 Test runs when he hit an elegant straight drive back past Aamer Jamal to reach 71 against Pakistan on day three of the first Test in Multan.

The 33-year-old, who is playing in his 147th Test, has done it in 14 Tests fewer than Cook, and now sits fifth on the all-time list.

He made his Test debut against India in Nagpur in 2012 and since then has hit 34 Test centuries, with a top score of 254 against Pakistan.

Advertisement

Sheffield-born Root, who captained England in a record 64 Tests, is now only behind India’s Rahul Dravid, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, Australia’s Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar, also of India.

The legendary Tendulkar, who played in 200 Tests, tops the list with 15,921 runs, but Root could eclipse that mark if he continues in the same vein of form over the next few years.

The Yorkshire right-hander is in some of the best form of his career – averaging 61 since the beginning of 2023.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Arsenal’s Mead and Williamson take on Honesty Cards

Published

on

Arsenal's Mead and Williamson take on Honesty Cards


England and Arsenal duo Beth Mead and Leah Williamson take on the ultimate friendship test, reveal each other’s red flags and discuss hidden talents in Honesty Cards.

Watch Arsenal v Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Saturday, 12 October at 13:15 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com