The chip off the old Eubank block made his father proud but did not do quite enough on his own behalf to win a fight which was an epic of its class. Billy Joe Saunders boxed the boy’s ears off in the first half of their grudge match and then survived a torrid last six rounds to hold onto this British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles. The ExCeL arena was rocking even more loudly than when Anthony Joshua was winning his super-heavyweight gold medal at the London Olympics. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Billy Joe Saunders: I still think Chris Eubank Jr is a 'c***'
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Billy Joe Saunders beat Chris Eubank Jnr on points after a pulsating fight in London
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Saunders made the faster start and was comfortably in front before Eubank responded
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Eubank had the better of the second half and did enough to win it on one judge's card
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But Saunders was given the nod and retains his British, Commonwealth and European belts
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He also earned a shot at the WBO world title next year with the victory
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Saunders
Saunders
On my card @placeholder battled fairly safely to the finishing line, although the official judges had it close enough to give it to him on a split decision.
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Saunders
Saunders
He spent the early rounds partly in posturing mode, trying to lure @placeholder onto a one-punch KO but the champion was so accurate with his southpaw jab that he was able to land and nip away on most occasions.
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Saunders
Saunders
As they clinched again and again the issue was whether @placeholder would weaken in the championship rounds.