Chris Eubank: The Autobiography

by Chris Eubank

Love him or loathe him, Chris Eubank is one of life’s more eccentric personalities who has transcended the world of boxing and established himself as a media celebrity and role model to millions of fans the world over. His story is both gripping and extraordinary.

He exploded into the public consciousness in November 1990 with a ferocious defeat of Nigel Benn for the WBO middleweight crown. Once crowned champion, he made 19 successful defences of his title and became one of the most talked about boxers of his generation.

But his early life was so very different. Aged 15, Eubank was ejected from the last in a long line of care homes and was living on the streets. His life was a mess of shoplifting, burglary, drink and drugs from which there seemed no escape. In 1981, in a last-ditch attempt to drag himself from the abyss, he relocated to New York with his mother. Here he started boxing and within two years he had won the prestigious Spanish Golden Gloves Amateur title.

Some of the incredible experiences he recalls in his autobiography include: his involvement in a car crash which saw a man die, how he became Lord of the Manor of Brighton, his reaction to Michael Watson’s horrific injuries sustained in their 1992 super-middleweight contest and subsequent partial recovery, his views on the ‘mugs game’ from which he previously made his living, his relationship with Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali, his passion for his truck, jeeps and motorbikes, and his legendary sartorial elegance and extravagance.

Eubank’s life as a ‘TV celebrity’ is even more enigmatic and compelling. He was the subject of a Louis Theroux fly-on-the-wall documentary, he was first to be voted out of the Comic Relief Big Brother house, and is the star of his own television programme At Home with the Eubanks. His story is truly extraordinary.

Genres: Autobiography

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kurtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was drawn to Chris Eubank with his philosophically inclined mind. He is one of a kind in world boxing without a shadow of a doubt. His story is admirable, no question about it but one thing I cant overlook is the fact that he decided not to have any involvement with his first born son, Natheniel Wilson. He was seeing a woman before his now ex-wife Karen and she fell pregnant. There is no mention of nathenial or his mother in the book, no pictures, nothing. Eubank decided not to have any involvement with natheniel and they had no contact for over 27 years! For me there is no honour in that which eubank prides himself on, being a honourable gentleman. Not caring after your own flesh and blood is unacceptable. This is one key reason so many young blank men in Britain are mentally damaged because of lack of emotional support from fathers in particular.

There is a section where he suggests to Tony Blair that he should allow him to go around the country speaking and inspiring, essentially be an example for young men. What kind of example is it not to look after your own son. It is actually disgraceful. So for me, great fighter, British boxing legend but his personal morals are wrong.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into a sporting legend, love him or loathe him he was a great champion and this book helps the reader to understand the person behind the celebrity showman.

[Merlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great boxing character

The autobiography was very enjoyable and humorous at time. I am glad to of bought the book, even though I read it fast with it being so interesting.

[Justin]

Great insight into a great boxer. Not just a run down of his boxing career but i peek at his personal life too.

[A D · Rating 3 out of 5]

The man is hilarious. The story of the bonbons stolen from the glovebox of his truck is worth the price of the book alone. He’s a bit of a bullshitter too though and there is a fair bit of it in here. Still, he’s funny with it.