Chris Eubank Jnr seeks all-British showdown with George Groves after win over Arthur Abraham
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ByEurosport
Updated 16/07/2017 at 12:22 GMT
Chris Eubank Jnr successfully defended his IBO world super-middleweight title with a unanimous points win over determined German veteran Arthur Abraham at Wembley Arena.
Chris Eubank Jnr defeats Arthur Abraham for the IBO World World Super Middleweight title at Wembley Arena on July 15, 2017 in London.
Image credit: Eurosport
The champion showed his full array of punches, but was not able to deliver a knockout blow against the battle-hardened 37-year-old.
However the clear superiority across the judges scorecards, with two scoring it 118-110 and the other 120-108, gave Eubank the validation he needed heading into the inaugural World Boxing Super Series which also features the likes of George Groves, Callum Smith and Jamie Cox.
"He (Abraham) is the most durable opponent I have faced, he has not been stopped for a reason. I hit him with every punch in the book," said Eubank Jnr.
I know I hurt him bad, I just couldn't get him out of there, but the statement was made. He did not win a round against me, and I am happy with the performance.
"I am a warrior. I do what I do to get the win, and if I can look sexy at the same time, then so be it.
"I got to show my boxing skills and get the experience in.
"I am going into the (WBSS) Super Eight tournament to take this man's (Groves) belt.
He (Groves) knows what is going to happen when we get into the ring, it will be a spectacular fight, the whole of Britain wants to see it and after I beat him I am coming for (James) DeGale.
Eubank soon tested the Armenian-born German Abraham with a range of jabs in the opening round, before coming inside to land a strong uppercut straight through the middle of his guard.
Abraham, who had initially failed to make the limit at Friday's weigh-in, continued to back off in the second round and at one stage was left static on the ropes by Eubank's superior movement.
But Abraham - a former IBF middleweight world champion and twice WBO super-middleweight title holder - showed plenty of heart as he soaked up Eubank's armoury while also giving the Englishman plenty to think about with his own big left hand over the top.
Eubank had moved up from middleweight for his previous world title-winning fight against Renold Quinlan in February, but saw his pace drop as the fight reached the midway point.
The 27-year-old, with just one defeat to Billy Joe Saunders from his 25 professional bouts, stepped things up again in the seventh, but once more Abraham took the punishment on the ropes before moving back on the offensive.
Abraham was producing a resolute display and then rocked the champion in the 11th with a big left before again standing tall under a flurry of blows as the contest drew to a close.
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