Chris Eubank Jr has made career off his name says Liam Smith ahead of Manchester clash | Boxing News

Liam Smith says Chris Eubank Jr has made a career out of his family name while earning “silly money” despite yet to win a world title.

It’s nothing Eubank hasn’t heard before, and Smith knows, although there’s no doubting substance to the memories of their quest for world glory that will be the pair’s defining night on January 21.

Both in their mid-30s, the British rivals knew that losing two weeks from now would signal the end of their career ambitions.

“Because of his name, his second name, because of his attitude and his attitude, he made a big name in British boxing,” Smith said. “It’s a high profile fight. Do I think he’s better than Jaime Munguia? No, so I don’t think he’s the second best fighter I’ve ever fought. But time will tell.

“He somehow developed a big name in British boxing. His name, the money he made in boxing was crazy because I think he won the British title.

“He’s never won a world title and he’s made stupid money from boxing and he’s a big name. So he’s done the right thing. But I think that name helps a lot.”

Smith is riding the momentum of three straight wins against Anthony Fowler, Jesse Vargas and Hassan Mwakinyo since losing to Magomed Kurbanov in Russia, while Eubank Jr enters the Manchester contest after winning a unanimous decision last February against Liam Williams and has since looked set to face off against Conor Benn as the final. as a week of war.

With two different personalities has come a corresponding narrative, which is that neither of them maintains the supremacy of the other. Outside the ring, a composed Eubank Jr. has been line-casting himself to find a bite with a KFC jacket and a clueless Smith in response.

“No one bothers me. He doesn’t bother me. There are better fighters, more dedicated professionals, who have a very good career, hard fights in their entire career, who have not made. eighth of the money Chris has made.

“That’s sports and that’s like a business side to it. He’s played the perfect game. He’s not your cup of tea but if I don’t think that’s from someone I’ll think you know what, good for you mate. You’ve played the game perfectly. But in the bigger picture, some professionals have had the best careers over the years who haven’t made half as much money, so I’d say.

“There are world champions, who have come out of boxing penniless and not because they blew money but because they might not exist and they are not big names but they are still world champions.”

Watch Liam Smith take on Chris Eubank Jr in Manchester on January 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Tickets are on sale now at Boxxer.com