Liam Smith is set to take on Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday night as Boxxer and Sky Sports kick off 2023 with a bang. Ahead of the fight ‘Beefy’ has revealed that he once hurt Eubank in sparring and is confident of doing it again.
Smith won a world championship when he stopped Apollo Thompson in 2015 in the seventh round. Recently, he seemed to be on track to mount another title charge in the 154lb division following three consecutive knockout victories.
However, the gritty scouser will now be stepping up to 160lb for the Eubank fight. In an interview with talkSport, Smith explained that he has previously hurt Chris Eubank Jr in sparring.
He believes that the weight is the only reason that his opponent is going into the fight as the favourite.
“I know Chris Eubank is a tough fight. You know, he’s a big middleweight and that is why this fight is a 50/50 fight or why people maybe favour Chris.
“People do not think Chris Eubank Jr is a better fighter than me. If this fight is at 154lbs, I’m a big favourite in this fight. I’m going to 160lbs.”
“I know for a fact I’ve hurt him in sparring. So, I know I can hurt him, especially with 10-ounce gloves on, especially at 160lbs.”
‘Beefy’ went on to suggest that Eubank is not as comfortable at middleweight as he claims to be, and that he struggled to make 157lb for his catchweight bout with Conor Benn, which was eventually cancelled.
“He didn’t make the 157lbs limit for Conor [Benn], he put that picture up and he’s 159.3lbs. You know, he’s trying to kid the public, he doesn’t do the weight as well as he says he does the weight.”
“So, a lot will be answered in this fight at 160lbs.”
Smith and Eubank will go toe-to-toe this Saturday, topping a belter of a card featuring the likes of Joseph Parker, Richard Riakporhe and a British title fight between Richard Riakporhe and Chris Kongo.
The event will be available to purchase on Sky Sports PPV for a price of £19.95.