MIDDLEWEIGHT fighter Tey Lynn-Jones has hit out at claims he was knocked out by sparring partner Chris Eubank Jr, and said a viral video of their session has been “blown out of proportion”.

The 40-second footage, watch below, shows Eubank Jr and Grays boxer Lynn-Jones sparring in the run up to respective fights, with the former challenging for the British middleweight title next month and Lynn-Jones making his professional bow in just under two weeks.

Lynn-Jones, 21, hits the canvas at the end of the clip, which is believed to have originated from one of Eubank Jr’s social media accounts, after a barrage of shots and Eubank Jr has been widely criticised after the video hit the internet.

Eubank Jr’s next opponent, Nick Blackwell, called him a “nasty piece of work”, and said he should be “ashamed” of the “disgusting” video, which has been viewed more than 25,000 times.

But ex-Holland Park ABC boxer Lynn-Jones insisted he was not knocked out, and said everything had been blown out of proportion.

“It was my first time sparring after a month off and I have had an injury as well so I was a bit fatigued,” said Lynn-Jones. “This was near the end of the fifth round and he just caught me with a couple of good shots.

“If the video had gone on a bit longer it would have shown I was not knocked out, but there is no bad blood there. He is one of the best in his division and I am still a novice, but I was ready to get up and carry on afterwards.

“That said I can hold my own when sparring against these guys. I have sparred with the likes of James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders and nothing like this has happened before.

“But it has all been blown out of proportion.

“I can’t control what they (Eubank Jr’s camp) say. I have done 50 or 60 rounds with him and have never had a problem with him. He uploads the best clips from his sessions online and he has edited it to show it like that.”

Although Eubank Jr told the Brighton Argus that the video did not originate from his account.

“This is boxing and these things happen," said Eubank Jr. "He is a very capable kid and he has sparred with champions such as James DeGale and Andy Lee so he is not just somebody we have brought in off the street.

“As far as me putting it out on social media, that’s not true at all. I was in the ring sparring and these sparring partners know that everything is being filmed on Snapchat, they are being paid and they know these videos will be seen.

“I didn’t go and upload the videos on to YouTube, my Facebook or Instagram, or anything like that but the person at the time was told to do their job and film the sparring and as soon as anything does happen it goes straight up on to Snapchat.”

Lynn-Jones is currently gearing up for his first professional bout at Grays Civic Hall on Friday, March 4, where he faces Sonny Whiting.

And he said he is feeling sharp, ahead of his debut against an opponent six years his senior.

“I feel great and my fitness is improving all the time,” he said. “I feel really confident and am counting down the days. I have stopped sparring now so I don’t pick up an injury and I have really good support coming down to back me up.”

Lynn Jones has sold almost 200 tickets for the fight, and he also thanked the Sugar Hut, his sponsor, for their support.

VIP tickets are sold out, although unreserved tiered-seating tickets are still available from Lynn-Jones on 07904 332 593.

 

For Lynn-Jones' reaction to the video, see tomorrow's Echo.