Senior was speaking at the press conference announcement for Junior’s crack at Nick Blackwell’s Lonsdale Belt on March 26 when Eubank and trainer Ronnie Davies both agreed that the family needed the accolade.
Former world champion Eubank never fought for the coveted UK crown during his career and wants Junior to fulfil something which evaded him during his own highly successful time in the sport.
“Being British champion, in his view, needs to be a boxed ticked,” said Eubank Sr. “In our view, he’s the favourite. But in no way are we underestimating Nick Blackwell.
“Winning a Lonsdale Belt outright is something that can see a fighter raise his game and Junior has already told me a few times before that Nick Blackwell has improved in sparring sessions.”
Coach Davies added: “I’m really pleased he’s fighting for the British title as I know it’s what his father always wanted for himself. We both wanted it but it didn’t happen and it would have been great.
“We would have been very proud to have been British champion but it will be nice to do it this way.”
Junior held the interim WBA belt until deciding to accept a final eliminator for the mandatory spot against Gary O’Sullivan, which the 26 year-old grabbed via a seventh round stoppage in December.
Instead of pushing for a shot at current champions Gennady Golovkin and Danny Jacobs, Eubank Jr is biding his time and wants to reign in his home country before conquering the world.
“Nick Blackwell has the British title, which is what I want, and that is why he’s getting the opportunity to fight me,” said Jr.
“I’ll win the title and represent Great Britain going forward.”
