Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith: Predictions from boxing experts ahead of much anticipated all-British showdown | Boxing News

We asked boxing experts for their predictions ahead of Chris Eubank Jr’s fight with Liam Smith tonight at the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

George Groves

I have won Eubank. Liam Smith is a good, solid, good pro. He’s an elite amateur, he’s won an ABA title, he’s from a boxing family. He’s been a professional now for over 12 years and he’s alive, he works hard, he’s had big fights, he’s a former world champion but he gave a lot of measure against Eubank.

Eubank lost to me, he lost to Billy Joe Saunders, but maybe. So people are not inferior to their thoughts.

If he punches with insanity and volume, he might stop Liam Smith, who has stopped before Canelo Alvarez who is clearly a pound-for-pound fighter. But it can hurt, it can hurt the body. If Eubank is targeting the body, I think he can be stopped.

Amir Khan

I’ve done some training with Liam Smith, hard worker, very athletic. They are tough fighters, especially when they attack you. He has great pressure, throws some good shots and hits pretty hard. I got Liam who won that battle.

Although many people will choose a younger fighter in Chris Eubank Jr. I just feel that experience, in this case, will take its toll.

Joseph Parker

I’m quite on the fence, it’s one of the fights. Eubank, you get close, he gets punches and he can keep doing that for the whole fight.

Liam Smith is one of those tough guys, but he has to step in and take shots to shoot. He also faced some great fighters.

I really want to, but I can’t call myself. I don’t think it will go far – it will be fun.

David Hey

Chris Eubank Jr., stoppage, round 10. I hope he doesn’t face it [Smith]. I hope they don’t see “GGG” [Gennadiy Golovkin] and people in the future because this is the toughest fight to date. He must win this battle.

Not only he has to win, he has to win looking good, if he wants to send a message to the rest of the division, middleweights, super-middleweights: ‘I’m the man in this division, look what I’ve done.’

Talk to Roy Jones Jr., talk to Ronnie [Davies], his coach, both told me he was in tip-top shape. So they expect something special.

Andy Lee

It was a big fight and I went back and forth. One day I think Liam will win, the next day I think Chris because you can see how both of them can win.

Eubank is great when you get into his range. He can punch all day. When you’re in the mixer with him, in some, he just doesn’t stop punching. There is a lot of fight in him.

Liam isn’t the only basic type of fighter that goes forward. There are many jobs and skills involved.

It’s really hard to pick a clear winner. When you know both of them well, it’s really hard to say which one will win.

Liam Williams

I feel like Smith will win this fight. It’s interesting because Smith doesn’t like to take a step back. Eubank can’t be bothered. He has that mindset. His mindset is almost unbeatable. He’s mentally strong, that doesn’t mean he can’t be beaten.

They are both very strong mentally, I feel and just think that they don’t want to be bothered or pushed out. So I think it will be a cracking fight.

It was a very even fight. But I think Smith just might have a little too much work rate and nick on the card.

Johnny Nelson

I want Chris Eubank Jr to win. I have changed my mind this week. Probably the most talented boxer is Liam Smith. Timing is everything. He’s not what he used to be, but now he’s beating fighters in Europe.

This time might be right for Chris, with his fitness, his size, his engine. So he even became less skilled in boxing compared to Liam. He was a good boxer, not a bad boxer but he was better than a boxer.

So I think size and timing is everything.

Fraser Clarke

My prediction is Liam Smith. I have Smith just edging it. I can see a close fight, I’m not sure which way it will go but Smith-Eubank 2, I can see that in the summer.

Eubank is as tough as old boots. He is a fighter through and through. When the going gets tough and in the trenches, they get it. I think the only thing he can do is that he doesn’t have a lot of experience. That could be a small factor for me. It’s all about IQ and who’s the best.

Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith on Friday 21st January, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now if you are a subscribe to Sky TV or a Non-Sky TV customers.