Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith: Predictions from boxing experts ahead of much-anticipated all-England fight | boxing news
We asked the boxing experts for their predictions ahead of Chris Eubank Jr’s fight with Liam Smith tonight at Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
George Groves
I had a Eubank win. Liam Smith is a solid, well-rounded professional. He’s an elite amateur, he’s won the ABA title, he comes from a boxing family. He’s been a professional player for over 12 years and he lives his life to the fullest, he works hard, he’s been in the big fights, he’s a former world champion but he gave his all. donated a lot before Eubank.
Eubank lost to me, he lost to Billy Joe Saunders but it could go either way. So he doesn’t go with losing, he doesn’t have the mindset of losing.
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Jamie Carragher has backed Liam Smith to take the lead over Chris Eubank Jr, but expect it to be a close fight
If he punches with intensity and volume, he might even be able to block Liam Smith, who was previously blocked by Canelo Alvarez, who is clearly a heavyweight boxer. But he can get hurt, he can get hurt to the body. If Eubank is aiming for the body, I think he can stop him.
Amir Khan
I trained with Liam Smith, a hard worker, a very hard worker. He’s a tough fighter, especially when he’s attacking you. He has great pressure, throws some great shots and hits pretty hard. I had Liam win that fight.
Although many would support the younger boxer in Chris Eubank Jr. I just feel the experience, in this case, will come at a cost.
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Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith face off in a head-to-head battle before the big battle in Manchester
Joseph Parker
I’m pretty nervous, it’s one of those wars. Eubank, you come close, he has a bunch of punches and he can keep doing that for the whole match.
Liam Smith is a tough guy, but he has to come and shoot to capture. He also faces some great fighters.
I’m curious, but I can’t call it myself. I don’t think it will go far – it will be very interesting.
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Chris Eubank Jr says he plans to win in brutal fashion after going against Liam Smith
David Haye
Chris Eubank Jr, stop, round 10. I hope he doesn’t look [Smith]. I hope he’s not looking at “GGG” [Gennadiy Golovkin] and those in the future as this is his toughest fight to date. He must win this war.
Not only does he have to win it, but he has to win it beautifully, if he wants to send a message to the rest of the division, middleweight, super-middleweight: ‘I’m the one. in this part, look. I’ve just done it already.’
Talk to Roy Jones Jr, talk to Ronnie [Davies], his coach, both told me he was in top shape. So they are expecting something special.
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Liam Smith insists that Chris Eubank Jr made their fight personal and he is 100% confident he will win
Andy Lee
It was a great fight and I back and forth. One day I think Liam will win, the next day I think Chris because you can see how both can win.
Eubank is good when you come into his range. He can punch all day. When you’re in that mixer with him, within that range he won’t stop punching. There is a lot of war in him.
Liam isn’t just your basic forward warrior type. There’s a lot of craft and skill to what he does.
It’s hard to pick a clear winner. When you know both of them well, it’s hard to say who will win.
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Liam Smith removed Chris Eubank Jr’s punch power as the pair clashed repeatedly at the final press conference
Liam Williams
I feel like Smith is going to win this war. It’s interesting because Smith doesn’t like to take a step back. Eubank is not someone who is easily bullied. He has that thought. His mind is almost like he is invincible. He’s mentally strong, that doesn’t mean he can’t be defeated.
They’re both very mentally strong, I feel and I just think they wouldn’t want to be bullied or pushed back. So I think it will be a cracking fight.
It was a very even fight. But I think Smith might just have that overworked rate and mark it on the card.
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Roy Jones Jr claims that Chris Eubank Jr is not stuck between styles as critics have suggested and added that his boxer is 100% ready to take on Liam Smith on Saturday night
Johnny Nelson
I will Chris Eubank Jr win. I think I changed my mind this week. Perhaps the most talented boxer is Liam Smith. Timing is everything. He is not what he used to be but now he has beaten most of the boxers in Europe.
The timing on this car might be right for Chris, given his fitness, size and engine. So that explains his lack of boxing compared to Liam. He’s a good fighter, not a bad boxer but he’s a better fighter than a boxer.
So I think size and timing is everything.
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The conflict between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith shows no sign of ending when confronting after the press conference
Frazer Clarke
My guess is Liam Smith. I had Smith just lacing it. I can see a fight close by, I’m not sure which way it’s going but Smith-Eubank 2, I was able to see that in the summer.
Eubank was as tough as an old boot. He is a warrior through and through. When it got tough and in the trenches, he succeeded. I think one thing that he might have trouble with is that he doesn’t have much experience. That might be a minor factor for me. It’s all about IQ and who can box the best.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith takes place on Saturday, January 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now if you are a Sky TV subscription or one Non-Sky TV subscribers.
