Liam Smith is bidding for a repeat of his stunning fourth-round stoppage victory over Chris Eubank Jnr when the pair clash for a second time at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.
Eubank Jnr will be hoping to gain revenge on his British rival and we could be in for a spectacular night of action.
- Chris Eubank Jnr to win
- Chris Eubank Jnr by stoppage
Eubank Jnr Value To Gain Revenge
Smith was a comfortable winner of his first fight with Eubank Jnr, stopping the Hove hitter in the fourth-round and on that evidence it’s going to be difficult for ‘Next Gen’ to gain revenge. However, there are a number of reasons to suggest that Eubank Jnr may be in a better position both physically and mentally going into Saturday’s rematch.
Ahead of the original fight, the 33-year-old had been in training for a contest with Conor Benn, and that was a bout due to take place at a 157lbs catchweight. That wouldn’t have been a comfortable weight for him and it would have taken a fair bit of mental flexibility to move on from the Benn contest, given that bout was canceled so close to the event.
Eubank Jnr should be in better condition back up at middleweight and it’s also worth considering that the 33-year-old has two years on Smith and this contest comes eight months on from the first bout.
‘Beefy’ is a good fighter, but the prices seem to be overrating the chances of the Merseyside man.
Early Finish On The Cards
Smith has already won a world title and the 35-year-old’s career is winding down. Eubank Jnr is yet to reach the top step and you’d have to think that his chance may have passed if he is beaten on Saturday night.
Of course, a need for victory or future ambition doesn’t win fights, but it can lead to a more attacking approach and perhaps desperation and recklessness. Eubank Jnr may look to open up and take the fight to Smith, and his opponent is unlikely to take a backward step if that’s the case.
The first bout ended in the fourth round, and with Eubank Jnr running out of chances, there doesn’t seem to be many reasons to think that he won’t attempt to let his hands go and the power is there to hurt Smith.
The Merseysider has looked vulnerable to such tactics in wins over Anthony Fowler and Jesse Vargas, and at the prices, it could pay to back a Eubank Jnr stoppage victory.
