BIG BOY Chris Eubank Jr does not need his legendary father to help settle British grudge wars any more.
The eccentric two-weight world champion was his son’s lead cornerman for defeats to Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves and was still a loud presence at ringside for his win over James DeGale in 2019.
But he has been a glaring absence ahead of the bitter grudge match with Liam Williams in Cardiff on Saturday night.
The 55-year-old icon will be at ringside but he has handed over training duties to American ring legend Roy Jones Jr.
And Eubank Jr, 32, insists he now has the confidence to carry the family name on his fearsome lonesome.
The Brighton middleweight said: “I am a big boy. I don’t need anyone to speak for me any more.
“When I was younger I didn’t really want to be in front of cameras but now I have done it and am more confident and happy to open up about things. It’s a natural progression.
“My father will be there on the night, 100 per cent. He and Roy are in constant contact but he will not be in the corner.
“It is different not having him in the corner because Chris Eubank in your corner is a presence — but he has not been in my corner for years.”
The second-generation slugger was put in an awkward position back in July 2014 when his dad hailed him as the best fighter in the world, ready to replace undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather.
Eubank Jr suffered his first of two defeats just four months later but he believes all his old man’s bluster helped him become the 31-2 headliner he is.
The 11st 6lb ace said: “He compared me to Mayweather to promote his fighter and people have talked about it for years.
“He has done his job. That was his job as a fight manager.
“He said it, it put a lot of pressure on me but it forced me to train and fight hard to live up to that statement.
“Having dealt with previous pressure helps me. For other guys it is a problem.
“When everything is at stake other people crumble and fold but it focuses me and improves me.
“Bring all the pressure.”
Welsh hardman Williams wants to watch his country’s rugby union stars take on Ireland in the Six Nations on his hotel TV before racing over to the Motorpoint Arena to attack his nemesis.
And if he secures a victory over the rival he insists has been gifted opportunities off his father’s back, the buffet and bar are in for a similar pasting.
The thirsty 29-year-old growled: “He is so full of s***.
“I will make him question what level he is at.
“I will definitely take him back a few steps and put him back in his box.
“On Sunday morning I will probably wake up for breakfast and have a full cheesecake — none of that cutting slices bulls**t — grab a big spoon and get stuck right into it.
“Once I recover from the food coma I will go and have 20 pints of cider as well!”
- Eubank Jr v Williams is live and exclusive on Sky Sports from 7.30pm on Saturday night.
