Nick Peet: Eubank Jr vs Williams

Nick Peet: Eubank Jr vs Williams

Another shot at global gold awaits two former world title contenders

CHRIS Eubank Jr faces yet another make or break domestic dust-up in order to keep his immediate middleweight world title aspirations on track this Saturday.

Professional boxing finally returns after a month-long Covid delay in the UK, with Eubank stepping into the lion’s den to take on Liam Williams at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

Two former world title contenders, another shot at global gold likely awaits the victor. However, the loser, at this stage in either career, would face an arduous road back to contention.

Eubank, 31-2, has a far better resume. Since his 2019 British title defeat to Billy Joe Saunders, he picked up a bunch of lesser belts in an eight-fight run that included the scalp of Arthur Abraham.

He then cleaned out future Canelo Alvarez victim Avni Yildrim in three rounds in the opener of the World Boxing Super Series, but lost to George Groves in 2018 in his only previous world title fight in the semi-final.

The 32-year-old rebuilt with a run of five wins on three continents, including a career-best win over former Olympic gold medallist and world champion James Degale at London’s O2 and a quickfire KO of Matvey Korobov in New York.

Now with Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr in his corner, Eubank 3.0 is supposed to be far more refined than he was earlier in his career. But in the home corner, Williams has a point to prove after having his world title dreams dashed last year.

Unbeaten until he ran into Liam Smith in 2017, suffering back-to-back defeats at 11 stone, Williams moved up to middleweight in style, blasting through seven opponents inside the distance and capturing the British title and number one spot with the WBO.

It took three years of campaigning to finally get a shot at Demetrious Andrade last April, but the wily American cruised to a points decision in Florida leaving Williams to pick up the pieces.

Now back in the UK and with a new trainer of his own in Adam Booth, Williams can ill afford a defeat to Eubank, especially on home soil, if he is to ever to maximise his potential.

Always game and gritty, the 29-year-old must make it a dog fight to really get the Cardiff crowd going. He can’t afford to dance around Eubank’s jab, the pressure is on him to bring the show.

With so much public attention, Eubank too must perform. The win over Degale really captured the imagination of UK fight fans and finally pushed him out of his father’s shadow for the first time.

A loss to Williams at this stage would be a disaster. He needs to put on an exhibition.

What’s most likely is something in between. A mix of clear rounds in favour of Eubank’s better boxing and stand and brawl rounds initiated by Williams. One thing is for sure, when the going gets tough, neither man will take a backwards step.

By the time both men punch themselves to the point of exhaustion at the final bell, Eubank’s pedigree and schooling should be enough to ensure a unanimous points decision.

TIP: Eubank on Points (33/20)

ALL BOXING

 Do you want to be informed about bookmakers' latest promotions?

  Click  and subscribe!