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Boxing

29th Sep 2018

Irish fighter JJ McDonagh threatens Chris Eubank Jr. after defeat

Fans nearly got a quick rematch

Darragh Murphy

Chris Eubank Jr. has returned to winning ways.

Eubank Jr. rebounded from his defeat to George Groves by stopping JJ McDonagh on Friday night but he almost found himself dragged into an immediate rematch.

McDonagh could not continue after three rounds due to a shoulder injury and perhaps it wasn’t the wisest idea to interview both fighters at the same time.

After moving to 27-2 with the win, Eubank Jr. questioned McDonagh’s decision to quit and the Irish fighter took umbrage with the comments.

“He says it’s his right shoulder. I’m not convinced, but it is what it is,” Eubank Jr. said.

“This was my opportunity to shake off some ring rust, it was good while it lasted but the going was too tough for him and he quit. I was starting to land at will.”

McDonagh wondered aloud whether the man who had just beaten him would have been willing to fight on with a similar injury and that’s when fans inside King Abdullah Sports City almost got another clash before the night’s main event.

“In my second professional fight, I fought with one arm for the entire fight,” Eubank Jr. said.

McDonagh responded: “Do you know who he fought? He fought a journeyman who he could have beaten with no hands.

“There’s a difference at this level of boxing to be fighting with a bad shoulder.

“Listen, don’t get arrogant or ignorant because I’m not one bit afraid of you.”

McDonagh then squared up to the Brit and threatened to fight him with one hand before members of the fighters’ teams got between them.