CHRIS EUBANK JR and Liam Smith meet in a middleweight clash that is dividing the boxing public.
The pair of former sparring partners-turned bitter enemies put bragging rights on the line in Manchester on the Saturday.
Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith ahead of their fight
Eubank, 33, is the odds-on favourite but insiders have warned not to rule out ex-world champion Smith, 34.
Here, SunSport runs down opinions from inside the boxing world ahead of the weekend’s Sky Box Office bout.
Liam Williams
Perhaps the man to listen to most is Williams, 30, having shared the ring with BOTH men.
The Welshman lost twice to Smith in 2017 and was dropped four times in a points defeat to Eubank last year.
But Williams predicted: “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.”
Prediction: Smith
Liam Williams was beaten by Chris Eubank Jr
George Groves
Retired Groves is another with great insight having spent years sparring Eubank before winning in 2018 while also losing to Smith’s brother Callum.
Groves, 34, told Sky Sports: “I’ve got a Eubank win. If he loses it’s his own fault.”
He added: “If he punches with spite and volume, he might even stop Liam Smith, who has been stopped before by Canelo Alvarez who is obviously a pound-for-pound fighter.
“But he can be hurt, he can be hurt to the body. If Eubank targets the body I think he might stop him.”
Prediction: Eubank
Chris Eubank Jr was beaten by George Groves in 2018
Carl Froch
Froch, 45, shared sparring rounds with Eubank like his old rival-turned friend Groves.
And the two former foes are reuniting on the night of the fight, with Froch keeping his cards close to his chest until then.
He said: “It’s one I’m really looking forward to.
“I’m going to wait until I work the show with my old mate George Groves before I work out who I’m predicting to win.”
Prediction: Sitting on the fence
Chris Eubank Jr and Carl Froch are ex-sparring partners
Kell Brook
Brook, 36, retired after beating Amir Khan, also 36, last February but will be ringside awaiting the winner.
And he said: “I think it’s a good fight. It’s one I’ll definitely be watching. He’s not my cup of tea, Chris Eubank, I think we all know that.
“I want Liam Smith to win. I believe he will win. I’m basing that on he’s underestimated Liam Smith.
“You know he can punch, Eubank. He’s got a great engine. He’s not the best boxer in the world. It is a good fight.”
Prediction: Smith
Kell Brook wants the winner between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith
Amir Khan
Khan and Brook do not agree on much, but they are both backing Smith to win.
He said: “I’ve done some training with Liam Smith, always a hard worker, trains very hard. He was my training partner when I was fighting Canelo.
“He’s a tough fighter, especially when he puts that attack on you, he’s got great pressure, throws some great shots and hits quite hard.
“I’ve got Liam winning that fight. Even though a lot of people are going to favour the younger fighter in Chris Eubank Jr, I just feel experience in this case will take hold.”
Prediction: Smith
Amir Khan pictured with Chris Eubank Jr
Josh Taylor
Taylor, 32, is now training with Smith in Joe McNally’s Liverpool gym and unsurprisingly has backed his stable-mate.
He told iFL TV: “It’s a close fight. I see Liam winning, I think Liam on points.
“Just a much better boxing brain, much better experience, the more well-rounded fighter, much better.
“But on the other hand you’ve got Eubank, he’s quick, he’s quite powerful and he’s got a good chin. But his boxing ability lets him down.”
Prediction: Smith
Josh Taylor has backed Liam Smith to bear Chris Eubank Jr
KSI
YouTuber-turned crossover boxing has trained with Eubank before.
And he has backed to his old mate to get the job donce once again.
He said to Wasserman Boxing: “Yeah I think Chris is going to win.”
“I think he’s just a different animal. I think he’s hungry. He’s just that suave guy who gets that win every time.”
Prediction: Eubank
YouTube star KSI pictured with Chris Eubank Jr
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of boxing?
There are many health benefits associated with boxing. For starters, boxing helps build strong muscles and bones. Boxing can improve your coordination and reflexes. It also strengthens the heart and lungs. The best thing about boxing is that it doesn’t require any special equipment. You can use almost anything around your home.
How can I improve my punching technique?
Boxing’s most important aspect is punching form. If you want to be a better boxer, you must master punch technique. Here are some tips to improve your punching form.
- Keep your head elevated. While throwing punches, keep your head up.
- Punch from the shoulder. When you throw a punch, try to hit the target from the shoulder instead of the chin.
- Keep your eyes on your feet. Keep your feet still when you are punching.
- Give short, fast punches. You will feel tired quicker if you throw longer punches.
- Don’t forget about defense! Always block any incoming punches.
- Use your elbows. You can defend yourself by using your elbows.
- Learn to use your legs. Properly using your legs will help you avoid being knocked down.
- Keep practicing every day. Even though you may feel tired after training, keep going. It takes practice to get good at anything.
- Have fun! Have fun doing what you do.
- Remember to breathe. Proper breathing will improve your strength and energy.
- Relax. Don’t worry about making errors. Learn new things instead of worrying about making mistakes.
- Be patient. Boxing is hard. It takes time for you to get better at boxing.
- Never stop learning. There is always room for improvement.
- Listen to music. You can relax and focus during training by listening to music.
- See videos of professional boxers. It can inspire you to do better.
- Read books. Reading helps you to understand boxing techniques.
- Pause. Sometimes, you need to take a break. Play soccer or basketball outside.
- Find a coach. Coaching can make you more efficient at boxing.
- Do push-ups. Push-ups can be a great way to increase strength and endurance.
Where should I buy boxing equipment?
You can purchase boxing equipment online from many places. There are many online stores that sell boxing equipment, including Amazon, eBay Walmart, Target and Sports Authority. Ross and TJ Maxx offer great deals on boxing gear at a fraction of the cost.
You might consider purchasing quality gear from respected brands such as Warrior, Golden Glove and Premier Boxing Champions if you are looking for high-quality boxing gear.
How can I improve my defense in fighting?
Learning how to fight intelligently can help you improve your defense. You must know how to defend against attacks from all angles, and you must also know how to counterattack if necessary.
You won’t be able to fight if you don’t know what fighting is. You’ll just get beaten up. You’ll just get beat up if you know how fight.
Here are some tips to improve your defense.
- You must understand where your opponent’s attacks are coming from. This means you must pay close attention to the body language of your opponent. If he appears nervous, it could indicate that he is about to launch his next attack.
- Stay calm. Don’t panic. Instead, keep calm and be focused.
- Block with your arms. Blocking with your arms is a simple but effective way to defend yourself against attacks.
- Counterattack. You should immediately counterattack your opponent if they are attacking you.
- Fight dirty. Fighting dirty is another way of defending yourself. If your opponent kicks you in the face, you can counter by kicking him back.
What is the difference of a left-hook and a right-cross?
A left hook is thrown to the side of your body, while a right-cross is thrown to the front.
A left hand hook is one that is thrown with the opponent’s right side facing. The elbow is bent 90 degrees, while the wrist is turned 45 degrees towards the opponent.
A right cross can be thrown with the palm facing towards the opponent’s face, and the elbow straight. The opponent’s wrist should be turned 45 degrees.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
External Links
boxandflow.com
expertboxing.com
How To
How do I set up a boxing gym at my house?
Many people are curious about how to start a boxing business. Many people want to know how much they should spend on equipment and what size space is required. How many employees are needed? There are many variables that influence the cost of starting a new business. These include where you are located, how many employees you have, the marketing budget and competition. The importance of having quality equipment is something that many people forget. You can’t start if you don’t have the right equipment. Here are some suggestions to help you start a gym for boxing at home.
- You need a place where you can train. You can use your garage, basement, spare bedroom, or living room to train. Only thing is that the equipment must have enough space.
- A punching bag is essential. This is important as you won’t learn how to punch without one. You can use anything, from a plastic bag to a heavy-duty leather bag. It must be big enough for you to carry it comfortably. Also make sure that it is sturdy and durable so that you can use it for years to come.
- You will need a pad. Matting protects floors and walls from kicks. It is usually made of foam rubber. You can buy them online and offline.
- You will need a bench. Bench is used to support your body while doing pushups. You can buy them online or in-store. However, make sure that you choose the right size for you.
- Speedbags are essential. Speedbags are used to develop fast hand movements. You can purchase them online or in-store. Buy quality products that will last a long time.
- A headgear will be necessary. It protects your head when sparring. It can be bought online or in-store. You should ensure that the product you select fits your face well.
- Gloves will be necessary. Gloves are needed to protect your hands during sparring sessions. They can be purchased either online or offline stores. Choose a pair that suits your needs and style.
- A mouthpiece is necessary. Mouthpieces can be used to protect your smile during sparring sessions. These are available online and in offline shops. Choose the right pair for you.
- You will need a ring. Rings are used in real fight simulations. You can buy them online or offline. So that you don’t get injured during sparring, ensure it has padding both sides.
- You will need to have a towel. You need a towel to remove sweat after a workout. They can be purchased in your local sporting goods stores or online. Be sure they are soft, absorbent, and comfortable.
