Chris Eubank Jr has shaped a decent career without reaching the heights of his father. The fight with Liam Smith is essentially a platform towards that higher plane.
Like Conor Benn, who he was to have fought, Liam Smith is the smaller man, a career super welterweight moving up. Eubank Jr campaigned for two years before the pandemic at super middle, challenging George Groves for the WBA belt in 2017.
Sensibly he has settled on middleweight as the route to the world title loot. Though tall at a tad under 6ft, he is not packed into the weight at 168 pounds. If he is to land a world title then 160 represents his best opportunity.
For Smith it’s a pay-per-view jackpot in the same sold-out Manchester Arena where Eubank lost to Groves. I don’t see Eubank falling to a third career defeat on Saturday night.
Smith has to come forward to win this fight. He can’t win standing off Eubank. He has to fight on the front foot, close down the ring and get his shots off. The problem is that is what Eubank wants. He loves to wait for opponents to come on to him then picks them off.
Eubank is much improved from the fighter who lost to Billy Joe Saunders on a split-decision in 2014. He is ultimately aiming for that big fight on the world stage.
If Canelo came knocking I’m sure he would say yes and go back to super-middleweight. A more likely target is IBF champion Gennady Golovkin, who is coming to the end of the road.
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Smith has good resistance and has only been stopped by Canelo. He takes a good shot to the head but is vulnerable to the body. It will be tough for him. Eubank’s chin is so sound he lets you walk in. And that’s the danger for anyone.
In the two defeats on his record to Saunders and Groves, both stood off him. Liam Williams couldn’t do that last time out and neither can Smith.
Smith will realise he has to go and get Eubank at some point. He has to be aggressive and maul him but he does not have the physical strength to do it over 12 rounds.
He will have successes, there might be drama, but not enough to derail Eubank. I don’t doubt Smith believes he will win. But I don’t see that happening. It ends more likely with a comprehensive points victory for Eubank, or possibly a late stoppage.
- Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym
