Why Chris Eubank Jr has Lennox Lewis to thank for boxing career ahead of IBO world super-middleweight title fight

Chris Eubank junior’s attempt to emulate his famous father would never have happened if Lennox Lewis had not convinced Chris senior to let his boy box.

Lewis recalled how he persuaded Eubank senior to lift his ban on letting his son fight when the youngster was 14.

Now 27-year-old Chris gets the chance to win his first world title when he takes on Aussie Renold Quinlan at Olympia on Saturday.

Dad Chris, 50, - a former world middle and super-middleweight champion - was not convinced his lad had the hunger necessary to be a fighter.

Lewis – a long-term family friend of the Eubanks – said: ““It was me who convinced Chris to let him box. I said - how can you stop him?

"He has the drive to do it. I can see it in him. I am glad I contributed to his career

“Now he is a stylish and tough fighter. And he has nasty drive, which the best all need.

“I love it when he struts around the ring after he’s beaten somebody. He is like the lion in the jungle saying this is my den.”