WATCH: Boxing Star Wants Canelo Super Fight Amid $5M Neymar Poker Debt Rumors
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Chris Eubank Jr. might be best known for his slick uppercuts and icy stare-downs, but a rumour away from the ring stirred up the most noise before his last fight.
His opponent, Conor Benn, made headlines claiming that Eubank Jr. owed football superstar Neymar £4 million (approx. $5 million) from their high-stakes poker sessions, and that was the reason he was looking to settle the score against his arch-rival. Not exactly your average pre-fight trash talk.
After defeating Benn via a unanimous decision in an instant classic, Eubank Jr. is now enjoying some free time at PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo and speaking exclusively to PokerNews Eubank Jr., shed some light on his alleged poker debts.
Does Eubank Jr. Owe Neymar $5 Million?
“I never discuss my poker losses or debts with other players,” he said. “Me and Neymar? I have a long, long history [with him] and we have a great relationship. That’s between me and him, but there are no issues. Everything is always sorted out. Everything is always 100%.”
Whatever’s happened behind closed doors, Eubank Jr. didn’t seem fazed. He was relaxed at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, preparing to jump into a streamed poker game featuring a lively lineup including PokerStars ambassador Ben "Spraggy" Spragg, Rory Jennings and Adam McKola.
“I’m itching to play,” he said. “[There's] No one in particular I’m targeting. I just want to bluff each and every one of them as much as I can.”
Unfortunately for Eubank, his plan didn’t pay off. Over the course of 73 hands on an entertaining live stream, the boxer ended up as the night’s biggest loser, recording a net loss of €13,475. Still, with a reported £10 million payday from the Conor Benn fight, it’s unlikely he’s too bothered.
Meanwhile, Adam McKola was the clear winner, walking away with €13,345 in profit. Rory Jennings and Griffin Benger also booked wins, while Spencer Owen, Felix Schneiders, and Spraggy ended with small losses.
You can check out the full live stream over on Spraggy’s YouTube channel below:
Facing Canelo Across the Ring and the Table
When asked about the possibility of a mega fight with pound-for-pound superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Eubank Jr. was clear he’d like to face the Mexican both in the ring and at the poker table.
Canelo, like Eubank Jr., is serious about his poker and has previously revealed he plays three times a week in a dedicated room at his mansion in Guadalajara.
"You know, the first time I met him, we were actually talking about poker because I'd played with a few of his friends in Vegas," Eubank Jr. said. "It was me, Canelo, and Turki Alalshikh."
Eubank Jr. added, "We all took a picture together, and I said, hey, listen, after we fight, let's play a couple of games of poker. He said, yeah, that would be fun."
"We'll see what happens, but that's a massive fight that the fans have been interested in seeing for a number of years now. So we're going to try everything in our power to make that fight happen within the next 12 months."
What Happens Off-Camera Stays Off-Camera... Almost
Eubank Jr.’s love of the game isn’t new. Over the past couple of years, he’s been spotted in some of poker’s wildest private games, with many of them featuring huge names like Neymar, Alan Keating and Dan Bilzerian. One of the most talked-about sessions took place on Hustler Casino Live, where Neymar became the "flip god" and went on an outrageous heater against Keating.
But according to Eubank Jr., what fans saw was tame compared to the real action.
“It’s funny, because as crazy as that game looked to you guys, that game was mild,” he said. “I’m telling you, it was mild compared to what goes on when the cameras are off. When people are drinking and not worrying about how their play looks… the things you see in these cash games with Dan Bilzerian and Alan Keating are barbaric. These are the games that I love.”
“When Keating was flipping with Neymar, I’ve never hugged another man really, but I had to go up to him and put my arms around him like, ‘Bro, you gotta calm down.’ But he was too far gone.”
Is It Worth Playing Cash Games During the WSOP?
A Return to Las Vegas
As poker season shifts towards Vegas and the World Series of Poker, Eubank Jr. confirmed he’ll be there but mostly for the juicy cash games and not the bracelets.
“I will be in Vegas for the World Series because the cash games are incredible,” he said. “I lost a hell of a lot of money last year… every day for like eight weeks. That was the first time I experienced what they call a downswing. I didn’t even know it was a real thing. I thought, ‘Oh, you're just playing badly.’ But no, it was real.”
Even after a brutal stretch, he still has love for the game.
“That’s what poker is. You can’t win all the time. Sometimes you just gotta play the hand you’re dealt.”
Before heading off to the tables, Eubank Jr. revealed whether we would ever see his iconic father, Chris Eubank Sr. take a seat at the felt?
“My old man wears his heart on his sleeve… I think he would be an abysmal poker player. He’s a very open and honest person. Not a sneaky guy. And in poker, sometimes, you’ve got to be a bit sneaky. But I’d love to teach him one day.”
Eubank Jr: "I Made My First Royal Flush Playing With Phil Hellmuth"
