Matt Korobov vs. Chris Eubank Jr: From Russia with Yawn?

Particulars: On Saturday, December 7, 2019 from Barclays Center, NY, NY (Showtime) it’s Matt Korobov vs. Chris Eubank, Jr. Middleweights for Interim WBA Title.

Background: This is another ‘crossroads’ fight – aren’t they all? The interim belt these guys are fighting for isn’t that big a deal – except – fair enough - to them. Eubank Jr. is a very coordinated, physically talented guy whose abilities haven’t really translated to much. Korobov is ANOTHER Eastern European fighter who hasn’t progressed fast enough in the pro game and who has been dogged by bad cards.

Yep, Jermell Charlo probably beat him but it was pretty close and the cards were a joke. What if Korobov had won clearly? He’d still have lost on rigged cards.

Eubanks Sr., Chris’s Dad, was and is weird if entertaining, with some great boxing achievements, while Jr. is standoffish, not so amusing, and without a CV to shout about. His fights, like that of his vanquisher, B.J. Saunders, aren’t strong, thrilling stuff. Instead we’re told by the once brutally blunt British press, we should admire Saunders incredible ‘skill-set’ and Eubank’s amazing athleticism (an overstatement).

Saunder’s spiteful mouth is the most violent thing on him and his “retreat to safety” style, for me, a big drag. The dude ain’t Willie Pep. Eubanks Jr’s millennial mantra - “when the going gets rough I’ll settle for a close ‘L,’” mindset, is what it is. When Billy met Chrissy, the Titanic Twosome made for an uninspired dud. Hoping Korobov brings out the best/beast within Chris. If such exists.

Korobov is simply too old and too unlucky to go much further in boxing – yet another very skilled dude e who didn’t ‘get’ that in professional boxing in the West.

A. Professional fights last up to 12 rounds, not the amateur three.

B. Who you know can be as important or more so, as pugilistic skills. Better handled, Korobov might have been a legit titlist. But he’s not and that’s that.

Fighter’s Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Matt Korobov B- B- B- B- C- B- B- (Average of all) C+ (2.6)

Chris Eubank Jr. B+ B B- B B- B- B (Average of all) B (3.0)

Reality check: What to say? Random facts: Korobov swings like a mule kick, backed with a violent boxing mindset, yet has an anemic KO percentage. I feel his resume is better than Eubank’s. Why Team Eubanks has exaggerated his height, can’t say. He’s shorter than his Pops and Pop’s is far shorter than me at 5’11.” Eubanks reach, however, is legit. Eubanks is amazingly coordinated and Korobov very skilled and schooled, so let’s hope one or both open up like their time in the sport is quite limited – which, especially in Korobov’s case, IS the case.

Either of these dudes gets the crap beat out of them and/or stopped… they become gate-keepers faster than you can say Adrien Broner, backwards.

Fight and prediction: I see Korobov stocking and scoring with spite against Eubanks Jr. who will also score well, but the Russian, age 36, will begin to gas around nine. I’m guessing boxing’s “deep state” judges have been instructed to ‘like’ Eubanks and not just on Facebook.

Expect a legit 114-113 type fight in favor of Eubanks, but one in which poor Matt barely gets credit for a round.

Chris Eubanks, Jr. UD Matt Korobov.