Chris Eubank Jr. shakes off rust, wins wide 10 round decision

Chris Eubank Jr., back in the ring for the first time in 17 months, used bursts of activity to outpoint over 10 rounds at Manchester Arena in Manchester England Saturday night.

All three judges had Eubank winning the fight by identical scores of 98-92.

Eubank, with Hall of Famer Roy Jones working his corner for the first time, walked into a couple of lefts from big underdog Marcus Morrison in the opening round. Eubank (30-2, 22 KOs) came out jabbing in round two. He connected with a right. Morrison took it well. Not a few seconds later though. Eubank,31, let his hands go, clipping Morrison with rights and a few uppercuts. Morrison was hurt, and looked ready to go, but Eubank backed off.

Morrison (23-4, 16 KOs) tried to reestablish his jab in round three. He clubbed Eubank with rights to the body and head. Eubank feigned and waited. And waited. Morrison’s round. Eubank was in full stalk mode in round four. Morrison jabbed. Eubank ducked. He landed a good body shot. Morrison did as well. Eubank landed a solid left hook in round five. He also connected with two rights and an uppercut. Morrison, bleeding from the nose after the onslaught, fought back, but Eubank had the edge.

The thinking was that Eubank could end the fight whenever he opened up. Morrison was busier the first minute of round six. Eubank opened up with a barrage of shots to the head and body. Morrison was hurt. A left knocked Morrison into the ropes but he managed to survive to hear the bell. Eubank jabbed to the body in round seven. He moved, showing improved footwork. Morrison was reluctant to lead. Like other rounds, Eubank burst forward with blows that landed.

In round eight, Eubank let his hands go again. The gutsy Morrison fought back with hooks of his own. Eubank connected with the harder punches in round nine. Morrison swung for the fences. He got Eubank’s attention with a right hand. Eubank continued to score with jabs. Eubank wanted to end things in round 10, but a counter from Morrison buckled his knees. Eubank moved and fired – landing more blows.

“I felt good,” said Eubank. “I had him hurt bad in the second round and probably could have ended things.”