Jeddah Undercard: Eubank Jr Returns Victorious

By Steve Bateson: Chris Eubank Jnr got back to winning ways with a fourth round retirement victory over JJ McDonagh.

Eubank, who was defeated back in February by George Groves, was slow out of the traps and McDonagh was able to establish his jab to head and body. It was a more reserved start from the usual brash Eubank but then from nowhere he caught his man stepping in with a brushing left hook to the temple that dropped the Irishman for an eight count.

Eubank continued to look for the left counter in the second but his high octane punch output was lacking as McDonagh went on the front foot and continued to score with his jab, repeatedly trying to target the body.

Eubank stepped it up from the beginning of round three and sent a left hand crashing home as a statement of intent. He then went toe to toe with McDonagh and scored a left/right combination as he let a flurry go, McDonagh trying to answer back but missing wildly. Eubank nailed another right hand in the pocket to end the stanza, the last punch of the fight.

Both men returned to their corners and McDonagh indicated to his team that he could not continue, citing a shoulder injury and complete lack of sparring in the build up.

It was an unsatisfactory end to a fight that seemed to be in the process of warming up and it is impossible to gauge if Eubank Jnr has learned anything since his last humbling defeat. A post-fight argument during the interview process was arguably the most entertaining part of the contest, McDonagh claiming Eubank was disrespecting him and would happily fight him with one arm despite having just pulled out due to said lack of appendage.

Rumours swirl that Eubank Jnr may meet James DeGale in December, a crossroads fight for both men in a bout that would garner plenty of UK interest.

County Durham’s Darren Surtees ended proceedings in the second round against Kane Baker, dropping his man twice during their 140lbs contest.

Both men clashed centre ring and Surtees (now 9-0 with 6 KO’s) sprung forward with a left hook that left his man on the seat of his pants. Baker beat the count and engaged in a firefight once more, this time with his back on the ropes, only for Surtees to erupt with another left hook, this one separating Baker from his senses. Surtees followed up with an unnecessary right hand as his man was falling to put an exclamation point on things.

Jeddah’s own Zuhayr Al Qahtani scored a decisive four round decision over Mohamed Mahmoud in a Super Lightweight swing bout. Al Qahtani (now 5-0) controlled the fight with his faster feet, sharper shots and punch selection. Mahmoud, despite his reach advantage, was unable to register the first win of his professional career but did have some first round success with two rights hands that momentarily had the home fighter backing up for cover. Al Qahtani briefly had his man stunned in the first with a whipping right uppercut and then again in the third with three successive lead left hands but had to settle for another decision victory.

Judges scored the fight: 39-37 x3

Cruiserweight prospect Mikael Lawal continued his unbeaten run in the pro ranks with a third round knockout of Tamas Kozma, although it was less than a stellar performance from the Nigerian.

Kozma had plenty of success in round one with the overhand right, stiffening Lawal’s legs once or twice, and was troubling the unbeaten man with swarming attacks. Lawal’s jab was slow and predictable, allowing Kozma to get inside and find his target, but by the end of the second stanza there were signs he was starting to find his range as an inside right uppercut counter barely missed detonating on the chin.

In the third Lawal hit the body with a right hand as Kozma tried to crowd him and then sent a big chopping right hand into the side of the Hungarian’s head, dropping him for the ten count.

Lawal (now 8-0 with 6 KO’s) is a big Cruiser with heavy hands but he will need to tighten up his defense and concentration as his levels of competition increase, he cannot afford to switch off and get caught against more dangerous opposition.