13. Chris Eubank (45-5-2, 23 KO)

Born August 8, 1968

 

Flamboyant showman Chris Eubank left an indelible mark on British boxing history. Eubank was often viewed as arrogant and aloof by the general public, but his popularity grew as he racked up the wins.

 

Despite the image he conveyed as an upper-class snob, Eubank grew up in poverty and spent most of his life as a fighter.  He was reportedly suspended 18 times in one year from school and then expelled despite claiming he was fighting to protect other kids from bullies.  At the age of 16, young Chris was off the rails and had problems with drugs, alcohol and shoplifting.  His father made him to move to the USA and Eubank discovered boxing in the tough South Bronx district of New York.

 

Eubank won his first 28 fights in a spectacular start to his professional career.  That run included capturing the WBC International Title in 1990, knocking out Reginaldo Dos Santos in 20 seconds (including the 10 count), and beating the heavily favored Nigel Benn for the WBO Middleweight World Title.

 

Eubank's rivalry with Benn is widely regarded as the greatest in the history of British Boxing, and caught the imagination of the British public who flocked to see the rivals go head to head.  After victory against Benn, Eubank produced three successful defenses, including a victory over Michael Watson to end his Middleweight career at 28-0. Eubank would fight the rest of his career at Super Middleweight.

 

His first fight at Super Middleweight would be a rematch win over Watson, but the fallout from that fight mean Eubank would mentally never be the same. After a brutal 12th round TKO, Watson spent 40 days in a coma and underwent six brain surgeries. Watson also suffered permanent partial paralysis, and Eubank would never again display the true desire to hurt his opponent.

 

Eubank was unbeaten in his 11 fights after Watson, but produced only one knockout.  That run included a draw in a rematch against his bitter rival Benn.

 

Eubank suffered all five of his career losses in his last nine fights, being beaten twice by Steve Collins and once by a young Joe Calzaghe.

 

When all was said and done Eubank was unbeaten at Middleweight and was a World Champion for over five years.  However, many pundits wonder how his career was limited by the mental scars of the first Watson fight.