Chris Eubank junior has shrugged off claims by next opponent JJ McDonagh that the Irishman beat him up in sparring.

Brighton's Eubank Jr, 29, fights McDonagh, 32, in a ten-round non-title on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series final between George Groves and Callum Smith in Saudi Arabia next week.

It is Eubank Jr's first fight since he lost to Groves in the WBSS semi-final in Manchester and McDonagh has added spice to the build up by claiming he left Eubank "on the ropes twice with body shots" during a sparring session at the Brighton and Hove gym.

Eubank Jr, though, reckons McDonagh is just talking himself up ahead of the showdown - just so many of his previous sparring partners have done.

"We have had a couple of sparring rounds," said Eubank Jr.

"I've heard it all before and throughout my entire career that I have been battered by all my sparring partners.

"As soon as they are out of the ring, they are on social media saying 'I have just done Eubank'.

"It is what it is and whatever helps him sleep at night before this fight."

But Eubank Jr is pleased McDonagh, who knocked Jake Ball out of the ring in 2016 to claim the vacant World Boxing Association International Light Heavyweight title, is vowing to bring the fight to him.

Eubank Jr said: "He's game. He's one of those game kids who is come and he is going to go for it.

"That is exactly what I need.

"I don't want someone who is just going to lie down, I want someone who has got some fire and he has some fire as people can see from what he is saying.

"We shall see whether he can back it up."

Eubank’s trainer Ronnie Davies, who organises all his sparring partners, said: “It’s not true, he didn’t hurt Eubank Jr.

"The last time they sparred McDonagh had enough after four rounds and pulled out.”
Both fighters have taken the bout at short notice.

McDonagh, who has operated at super-middle and light-heavy, has a record of 16-4 (8KOs) while Eubank Jr is 26-2 (20KOs).
The 6ft 2in southpaw also has a reputation for power.
Eubank Jr admitted: “He seems hell bent on making a statement. He wants to capitalise on my six-month lay-off and I guess this is his big chance to make a name for himself and put himself on the world stage.
“All these guys are dangerous. When ever any of these guys get an opportunity like this, they stop everything they are doing, they are fully focused in the gym and this is their big shot.

"He’s never going to get another one so I am fully prepared.”