Chris Eubank Jr has been backed to become a future world champion by Darren Barker

Former middleweight world champion Darren Barker looks ahead to a big week of boxing for British fighters.

Darren Barker believes Chris Eubank Jr is almost the 'total package' and can back up his father’s bold claims by becoming a world champion.

The exciting middleweight will battle Tony Jeter at the top of this Saturday's Sheffield bill, live on Sky Sports.

His father Chris 'English' Eubank has already tipped the 26-year-old to defeat the division's fearsome champion Gennady Golovkin, who pounded David Lemieux to a halt at the weekend.

Barker, a former IBF champion in the same division, insists Eubank Jr still needs a few more learning fights before he can challenge the division's top men, but feels he has the necessary attributes to win a world title.

He's a great fighter, he can punch, he's almost the total package. I just think he needs a bit more experience and he could go on to win a world title.
Darren Barker on Chris Eubank Jr

"Undoubtedly he's got bundles of talent," Barker told Sky Sports News HQ. "He's a great fighter, he can punch, he's almost the total package. I just think he needs a bit more experience and he could go on to win a world title. I do think he can go that far.

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"He's not everyone's cup of tea. He's a bit like Marmite - you love him or hate him. His Dad winds people up a little bit.

"I think his Dad saying he can beat Golovkin is a bit premature. I know he's saying one day in the future, but I don't think he's in that class yet. But he's got loads of talent and if matched up properly, I think he can go on and win a world title one day." 

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Chris Eubank Jr is looking ahead to the future as he embarks on a new partnership with Sky Sports, Matchroom and trainer Adam Booth.

If Eubank Jr defeats the American then he will pave the way for a clash with the big-hitting Irishman Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan on the Anthony Joshua-Dillian Whyte card at The O2 on December 12.

O'Sullivan could be the first in a series of exciting domestic clashes for Eubank Jr, who has even expressed a willingness to step up in weight for a showdown with IBF super-middleweight champion James DeGale.

"That's another Wembley Stadium fight," said Barker. That excites me to be honest - two fantastic fighters going up against it. I think that shows how good boxing is in this country at the minute.

"Two great fighters like that who can potentially top the bill and sell out Wembley Stadium again. It's a great for British boxing.

"If I had to call it right now, just where he's the bigger guy and got more experience, I would probably say James DeGale, but it's a fight that will put bums on seats."

On a busy night at the Sheffield Arena, Gavin McDonnell will also defend his European super-bantamweight title against Jeremy Parodi.

Watch Chris Eubank Jr against Tony Jeter on this Saturday's Sheffield bill on Sky Sports 1, starting at 8pm.

You can hear more from Darren Barker on this week's Ringside Toe2Toe podcast.

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