CHRIS EUBANK JR and Liam Smith settle their score in the ring on the weekend – and the fight has divided opinions.
Eubank’s speed, engine and ruthlessness have some predicting he will be simply too much for his British rival.
ReutersLiam Smith fighting Liam Williams in 2017[/caption]
Liam Williams was beaten by Chris Eubank Jr in 2022Richard Pelham / The Sun
But Smith’s fundamentals, boxing IQ and experience has other suggesting he will be too wise.
One man in the perfect position to predict the bout is Liam Williams, having shared the ring with BOTH.
He was twice beaten by Smith, 34, in 2017 and in February 2022 was dropped four times in a points loss to Eubank, 33.
Asked by Sky Sports who hits harder, Williams, 30, said: “Eubank.”
But on ring intelligence, he answered: “Smith. I just think it’s a case of Liam Smith has had a good amateur background.
“He’s well-schooled, he’s got good defence, good head movement, footwork. He’s just got all the basics down.
“You don’t always need to be fancy and do anything dazzling to be an effective fighter.”
Williams said Eubank is the more confident when facing off, but reckons Smith has better defence.
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He revealed: “Smith. Liam Smith is probably the easier to hit but you’d never catch him clean, it would always be gloves and arms, shoulders.
“I think Eubank had a better defence in a different way, it was because of his feet, he was moving in and out of range and that’s obviously why I couldn’t pin him down.
“But Smith purely defensively as you would know it, arm up, tight guard, he’s better in that sense.”
Most importantly, Williams backed Smith to come out victorious in the Sky Box Office bout in Manchester.
He said: “I think Smith is going to win. I think it’s going to be a great fight nevertheless but I think it’s a Smith points win for me.”
Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith ahead of their fightPA