Chris Eubank Jr returned to winning ways with a dominant display at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, forcing Armenian challenger Wanik Awdijan to retire at the end of the fifth round in what proved to be a compelling and emotionally charged contest.

The Brighton middleweight, who had last appeared in May 2021 with a comprehensive points victory over Marcus Morrison at Manchester Arena, was making just his third appearance in nearly two years. Yet there was no ring rust evident as Eubank set about his business with the clinical authority that has long made him one of the most watchable fighters in British boxing.

The fight itself was not without its complications before a punch had even been thrown. After a series of late opponent changes — Sven Elbir withdrew through illness, and replacement Anatoli Muratov was stood down on medical grounds — it was Awdijan who ultimately stepped forward at short notice. The 26-year-old Armenian arrived with a record of 28 wins and just a single defeat, and carried genuine confidence into the bout, promising upset victory in the build-up. He was also notably vocal on social media in the days preceding the contest, prompting Eubank to vow publicly that he would deliver a sharp lesson inside the ropes.

Awdijan presented early problems. Fighting out of the southpaw stance — an adjustment Eubank’s camp had not prepared for — the Armenian moved well on fleet feet, landing his straight back-hand on several occasions in the opening exchanges. His elusive movement and awkward angles made him a slippery target, and the first round or two belonged narrowly to the visitor.

However, as the fight progressed, Eubank’s superior conditioning and tactical intelligence began to assert themselves. Working patiently behind his jab and gradually finding his range, Eubank shifted his attention to the body in the fourth round with telling effect. Thudding shots to the ribcage began to accumulate, sapping Awdijan’s movement and draining the energy from those previously busy legs. Where the challenger had once bounced confidently on his toes, he now moved with increasing desperation, looking to clinch and steal moments of recovery.

By the fifth round, Awdijan was visibly deteriorating. Eubank, trained by the legendary Roy Jones Jr, pressed his advantage with composed, measured aggression — a maturity of approach that suggested the long period of training had sharpened him considerably. The body work, relentless and precise, told its own story.

At the conclusion of the fifth, Awdijan’s corner elected not to send him out for the sixth. It subsequently emerged that their fighter had suffered a suspected broken rib — a direct consequence of Eubank’s sustained assault to the torso. Referee Michael Alexander accepted the retirement and raised Eubank’s hand in victory.

There was a personal dimension to the evening that gave it extra weight. Eubank fought with the name Sebastian stitched onto his shorts and robe — a tribute to his brother, who passed away tragically in July 2021. That he chose to honour that grief by channelling it into a controlled, professional performance spoke volumes about his character and resilience.

Chris Eubank Jr claimed his 31st professional victory whilst Wanik Awdijan, despite his spirited early showing, was ultimately undone by a combination of Eubank’s power and persistence on a memorable night in the north-east of England.