Boxing: Storey's fresh script: Challenger unimpressed by Eubank's style
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Your support makes all the difference.SAM STOREY will remain aloof from Chris Eubank's exhibitionism when they meet in Cardiff tonight for the World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight title. .
Eubank's flamboyant style does not impress the 30-year-old Storey. 'You get no extra points for jumping over the top rope or diving under the bottom one,' the Belfast boxer said. 'I won't let his showmanship get to me.'
Storey, who has dropped from six to 10 in the WBO rankings, has taken advice from Ray Close, who came as near as anyone to ending an unbeaten Eubank run which extends to 40 fights. Close had a draw with Eubank in Glasgow last May and was judged the loser, amid some controversy, in a rematch three months ago.
'Ray told me not to be overawed by the occasion or by Eubank himself,' Storey said.
'He said I should remember that once the bell goes it's just about two fighters in the ring. I watched both his fights against Chris and I thought Ray won the first.
'Ray and I had a long chat about how to handle Chris but Ray and I are very different fighters.'
For Eubank, this is just another stop-off on the highly paid roller- coaster to retirement. He has announced his intention to quit once his lucrative BSkyB contract has been fulfilled after seven more fights.
Predictably, he does not rate Storey's chances of inflicting the physical damage he so fears on his 12th title defence. 'Sam is an upright, classic type of boxer with good, quick hands but I haven't seen anything I can't deal with,' Eubank said. 'I'm looking forward to the fight for the simple reason that I always look forward to being paid.'
Eubank's intention to avoid a 'blood and guts' bout may mean Storey going the full 12 rounds for the first time since he beat Tony Burke in Ireland for the British super-middleweight title five years ago.
Eubank again tipped the scales at the maximum 12 stones when he weighed at the Cardiff International Arena last night. He has consistently registered 12 stones for his 11 previous title defences. Storey registered an identical 12 stones.
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