James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr ramp up the fighting talk in final press conference

The final press conference took place in London

James DeGale to consider retirement after Chris Eubank Jr fight

James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr have ramped up the fighting talk for one final time in the last fight press conference.

DeGale, who recaptured his IBF super-middleweight world title in a rematch with Caleb Truax last April, relinquished his belt to take on Eubank and the 2008 Olympic gold medallist has vowed to retire if he loses the fight. Eubank Jr has only fought once since losing to George Groves in the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series, stopping JJ McDonagh in Saudi Arabia. The two finally meet at the O2 on Saturday night.

Here's how it played out:

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[21 February 2019 12:47 · Ben Burrows]

EubankSr draws 'ooo's' from the audience as he asks DeGale if he has been "off the substances?"

[21 February 2019 12:49 · Ben Burrows]

DeGale's trainer Jim McDonnell: "Eubank does not have the skill to beat DeGale. Fact."

[21 February 2019 12:55 · Ben Burrows]

The fighters prepare for their head-to-head as security swarm.

DeGale: “If I can’t beat Chris then I am over the hill.”

[21 February 2019 12:58 · Ben Burrows]

No such controversies as the Jarrell Miller vs Anthony Joshua conference as the fighters keep their distance.

[21 February 2019 13:07 · Ben Burrows]

Key talking points coming soon.

[21 February 2019 13:21 · Ben Burrows]

As boxing press conferences go, the James DeGale vs Chris Eubank Jr meeting did not explode into the realms of Dillian Whyte vs Dereck Chisora although it threatened to boil over when Eubank Senior questioned DeGale over his substance use.

Disagreement between the fighters began when they sparred together several years ago, only for Eubank to claim he “schooled” DeGale on social media.

Here are the key talking points:

DeGale’s camp do not rate Eubank.

Jim McDonnell, DeGale's trainer says that “Eubank does not have the skill to beat DeGale. Fact.”

His reasoning is DeGale’s pedigree and suggests that Eubank is not yet good enough to challenge the world’s best.

DeGale said: “He is finished. This is his last fight.

“If I don’t beat him, I’m done.

“If I can’t beat Chris I’m over the hill.”

 “I know a lot of people think I have seen better days. I can hand-on-heart say I am fully fit, I am in the best shape of my life.”

Eubank Sr does not believe in his own son.

Senior made the surprising statement: “I’m not convinced that he [junior] can win.”

Once again this suggestion is down to the pedigree of two-time Super Middleweight World Champion DeGale.

Junior said: “I don't underestimate this man, I know what he has done in the past.

“This is my opportunity to set the record straight. It is do or die.”

George Groves may have been removed from the broadcast.

Having beaten both fighters, George Groves would be well positioned to be on the broadcast team for the ITV Box Office bout. But a journalist said he had confirmation on good authority that Groves had been removed from the broadcast line-up by one of the camps.

Both camps blamed each other and Eubank Sr suggested that it was DeGale’s family that had Groves removed: “It was his mummy.”