Chris Eubank Jr has posted a heartbreaking tribute to his brother Sebastian after his tragic death in Dubai, saying ‘I haven’t cried since I was 12’ and vowing to ‘treat your newborn son like my own’.
Sebastian, the third-oldest of boxing legend Chris Eubank Sr’s five children, was just a week short of his 30th birthday. He was a boxer like his father, fighting in light-heavyweight bouts, and also made his MMA debut last year.
The father-of-one was found dead on a beach in the UAE where he lived with wife Salma and one-month old son Raheem.
Eubank Sr said he and his family were ‘devastated’ to learn of his son’s death, and paid tribute to the ‘deep thinker who liked to challenge accepted wisdom’ and was ‘loved and respected by all’.
Eubank Jr had initially tweeted: ‘Rest easy little brother. I love you & you will be missed always.’
Chris Eubank Jr has posted an emotional tribute to brother Sebastian following his death
Sebastian has died in Dubai aged just 29, just days before his 30th birthday and a month after becoming a father
Sebastian (left), the third oldest of Eubank’s five children, was a boxer like his father and fought in light-heavyweight bouts. From left to right: Chris Jr, Chris Snr, Nathanael and Sebastian
The father-of-one, also a professional boxer, lived in the UAE with wife Salma and son Raheem
The middleweight fighter has now posted a series of photographs of himself with Sebastian, saying that he cried ‘the whole day’ on Friday after hearing the news.
‘I haven’t cried since I was 12 years old… yesterday I cried the whole day,’ he tweeted to his 360,000 followers.
‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there to watch your back like a big brother’s supposed to. Can’t believe you’re really gone man but you’ll always be in my heart, mind & spirit.
‘My brother Sebastian Eubank was a special man… a righteous man… who always put others before himself.
Eubank Jr said his brother Sebastian was a ‘special man who always put others before himself’
The middleweight fighter has vowed to raise Sebastain’s newborn, Raheem, ‘like my own’
Eubank Jr told his 360k followers to cherish their family and not to take loved ones for granted
‘A man of many talents, boxing, MMA, poetry, music, coaching, cooking the list goes on but the most important thing to him was helping others less fortunate than himself.
‘Now your legacy will live on through your beautiful new born son & I will treat him like my own. Watch over us until we meet again young lion.
‘And to everyone out there reading this right now DON’T take ANY of your loved ones for granted. See them, speak to them, check up on them as much as you possibly can because you just never know if that one time will be the last time. Love you bro’.
Promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted: ‘So saddened by the news of the passing of Seb Eubank. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.’
Chris Eubank posing with his son Sebastian in the early 1990s when the boy was a toddler. Eubank Sr spoke of his devastation tonight as Sebastian was found dead in Dubai
Tony Bellew said: ‘Thinking of all the Eubank family at this time… Thoughts and Prayers are with them all.’
‘How sad… thinking of all the family and friends of the Eubank family on their loss. #RipSebastianEubank,’ Robbie Fowler posted.
George Groves tweeted: ‘Saddened to hear the terrible news Seb Eubank has passed away.
‘Seb was a great guy, I remember sparring him many years ago in London. My thoughts are with the Eubank family.’
Heavyweight Joe Joyce posted: ‘Devastating news today hearing about Sebastian Eubank, sending condolences to his family! You will be missed, Rest in Power Brother!’
The boxing world has paid tribute to Sebastian following news of his untimely death
Tributes have poured in from across boxing and sport as many offered their condolences to the Eubank family.
‘Thoughts and prayers to the Eubank family at this terrible time,’ Luke Campbell added.
Derek Chisora tweeted: ‘RIP Seb Eubank. My thoughts and prayers are with the Eubank family and all the people who knew him at this time. Terribly sad news.’
Eubank beat Polish fighter Kamil Kulczyk on his debut in February 2018 on the undercard of his older brother Chris Jr’s clash with George Groves.
Sebastian was the fourth member of the famous fighting family to enter the paid ranks of boxing – following Chris Jr, cousin Harlem and half-brother Nathanael Wilson.