Chris Eubank Jr: The Dual Life of a Boxer and a Poker Enthusiast

Chris Eubank Jr’s eyes betray nothing but everything all at once. They are expressionless but meaningful; cold but thoughtful. Even through the pixels of a computer screen, one can detect both pain and hope.

The 36-year-old is speaking from his adopted home of Dubai, having spent the past week in Brazil hanging out with his friend Neymar, the global football star. Whether travelling in secure convoy or by helicopter, Neymar showed the boxer around São Paulo, the trip leaving a mark on Eubank. ‘It’s impressive to see how much he’s loved in that country,’ he says. ‘He’s like a god out there.’

But the fighter is not a football fan – the two merely have similar interests, having met at a poker tournament in Spain a few years ago. ‘We’ve been good mates ever since,’ adds Eubank, talking via Zoom from a spacious apartment where he is surrounded by neutral colours on the walls and curtains.

The Early Days: Discovering Poker

It was years before meeting Neymar that Eubank was first introduced to the appeal of poker. In the boxer’s hometown of Brighton, a young Eubank visited the Grosvenor Casino and had no idea what he was doing.

‘I jumped in at the deep end. I would buy in for 50 quid, and if I won 10, 20 quid, I was over the moon,’ he smiles. ‘I was like, “Wow, this is amazing”. Then I was losing, week after week, and eventually I kind of just figured it out.’

The Transition to High-Stakes Poker

Now Eubank sits at tables where the buy-in is £30,000 and has won as much as £350,000 in a hand. ‘I’ve come a long way from the £50 buy-in in my local casino in Brighton, that’s for sure,’ he chuckles. But, asked about his passion for ‘gambling’, Eubank takes exception to the term. He is big on skill and intelligence, not luck.

‘I don’t like that word, “gambling”,’ he shrugs, using his fingers to invert the commas. ‘To me, gambling is going to a casino, going to a roulette table and saying to yourself, “My daughter’s birthday is on the 19th. I’m going to put £1,000 on 19.” That is gambling. I don’t do that.’

• In poker, you’re playing against your peers, not against the house.
• It involves skills like deception, reading an opponent, and maintaining composure.
• Similar to boxing, one’s reaction to pressure is crucial in poker.

With that, Eubank points out how some abilities are transferable from his profession as a prizefighter. The similarities don’t end with the need for a good poker face, as both fields demand intense emotional control and resilience.

Living on the Edge

Eubank thrives on walking the line between pain and joy. He tread it finely in April during one of the year’s most intense boxing matches against Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match, punctuated by brutal exchanges, left Eubank victorious but nearly hospital-bound.

‘Do I enjoy it?’ he ponders. ‘It’s my life. After you do something a certain amount of times, it becomes second nature, even if it’s painful and dangerous.’ Neuroscientists have noted that elite athletes often develop a psychological threshold for enduring pain, making them uniquely equipped to handle extreme stress and discomfort.

‘You can’t just like boxing; you have to be obsessed with it. The moment you start questioning, “Why am I doing this?” you’re setting yourself up for failure,’ he emphasizes, suggesting that many boxers who lack full commitment often fall short in their careers.

Between Two Worlds: Legacy and the Future

At 36 years old, Eubank has recorded 35 professional victories but he remains reflective about his legacy. ‘I’ve made the bank, my friend,’ he says with a grin when discussing potential matchups against high-profile opponents like Terence Crawford or Canelo Alvarez. ‘It’s not about bank anymore; it’s about leaving behind a legacy I can be proud of.’

A study by sports psychologist Dr. Lara Mitchell emphasizes that legacy plays a crucial role in the mindset of elite athletes. “The psychological investment in one’s legacy can often drive an athlete to even greater heights, fueling their desire for perfection and excellence,” she notes.

The Impact of Personal Loss

Eubank opens up about the challenges he has faced, notably the tragic loss of his brother, Sebastian, in 2021. He pauses, clearly feeling the weight of the question. ‘Going through something like that – the loss of a loved one, a close sibling – it changes your mind and heart. It’s either going to make you or break you,’ he reflects.

‘I chose to use this horrible situation to fuel my fire. It’s important to have him in my thoughts during tough times. He was a strong man; an inspirational man,’ Eubank shares, reaffirming his commitment to live in a way that would honor his brother’s memory.

Poker: The Unexpected Parallel

Though Eubank’s focus is firmly on boxing and personal growth, his love for poker continues to surface as a parallel to his life. The stakes in both sports—financially and emotionally—are astronomical, offering a constant reminder of his dual existence.

‘Life is a gamble,’ he muses. ‘Yes, there are elements of luck, but if you’re dedicated, your odds improve.’ This blend of grit and strategy characterizes not just his approach to boxing but also how he navigates life after personal loss.

A New Direction?

While Eubank’s focus remains on the ring, he is also exploring acting, recently landing a role in the second season of Guy Ritchie’s series, *The Gentlemen*. ‘Acting is an art form that I truly admire,’ he expresses, revealing a newfound joy in telling stories beyond the boxing arena.

‘There are many takes,’ he points out. ‘Boxing presses you to perform perfectly in one shot, every time. Acting offers a chance for re-dos, much like life allows us to learn and grow through our experiences.’

Chris Eubank Jr is a deeply complex man, marked by both triumph and tragedy. As he navigates the world of high-stakes boxing and poker, he remains ever aware of his personal journey. Through the lens of his experiences, fans and observers alike are treated to an evolving narrative of resilience, authenticity, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Source: www.menshealth.com