HOVE boxer Chris Eubank gave one of his bravest-ever performances in a world cruiserweight title fight at the weekend.

But anyone who has a regard for the pugnacious pugilist will have winced at the punishment he took and the state of his face afterwards. Eubank, once invincible in the ring, has now lost four title fights in a row and it is time to quit. He still has the best chin in boxing and is hard to knock out. But he is 31 now and his best years are behind him as a boxer. The shambling figure of Muhammed Ali, once the greatest boxer of his time, is a terrible reminder of what can happen over a long period if you take too much punishment. Eubank has been tremendously entertaining in the last ten years as a fighter and he has earned a fortune. He could still earn a decent living as a commentator and on TV chat shows. He should know when to stop.

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