Chris Eubank Jr. announced on 12 August, Eubank would make a mandatory defence of his British middleweight title against fellow British and undefeated Commonwealth and WBO Inter-Continental middleweight champion Tommy Langford after promoter Frank Warren won a purse bid to stage the fight. Eubank, however, relinquished the title in September after suffering an injury in sparring. Throughout 2016, Eubank made it clear that he wanted to challenge undefeated unified middleweight champion Gennady Golvokin. A potential fight which could see Eubank earn up to £6 million, was only being held up by Sky, who would broadcast the fight on PPV. Eubank Sr. wanted his
Chris Eubank Jr. the fight to the point that his trainer, father Chris Eubank Sr., began imploring the referee to stop the fight. Following the eighth round, the elder Eubank instructed Eubank to stop hitting Blackwell in the head. The referee finally called a stop to the fight at 2:21 in the 10th round, and awarded Eubank the win, and the title, by TKO. Blackwell was taken to hospital with bleeding on the brain, and was placed in a medically-induced coma for treatment. After re-signing with Matchroom Sport, it was announced on Sky Sports on 18 May 2016 that Eubank will fight on