In arguably one of the most anticipated UK boxing matches of the year, Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. are set to rematch this weekend in Manchester. After a 4th round KO from Smith ended the grudge match in January. Eubank Jr. wants to prove it was a fluke this Saturday night.
Read more for a closer look at this matchup and the official Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr. prediction ahead of making your betting picks this weekend.
Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Information
Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr.
Location of the game: AO Arena, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Date and Time: Saturday, September 02. 5:00 PM ET, estimated ring walk.
How to Watch: ESPN+
Last Fight Results
They are both coming off fighting each other earlier this year in January. The fight was seemingly trending in Eubank Jr.’s way through the first three rounds. And then he got caught in the corner by Smith in round 4 and dropped twice, leading to a KO result.
Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Betting Analysis
Liam Smith
Smith is a 35-year-old UK boxing veteran with a professional record of 33-3-1 with 20 KOs under his belt. He is a former WBO world champion at light-middleweight and has held all the British and Commonwealth titles.
“Beefy” Smith stands at 5’9” with a 69” reach and looks a little older nowadays with his silver hairs coming in heavy. He is a longtime regional fan-favorite out of the prideful city of Liverpool. Smith fights out of the orthodox stance and has been on fire as of late in his career. Winning four fights in a row heading into this weekend.
Chris Eubank Jr.
Eubank Jr. has been known as the son of boxing legend Chris Eubank but has now carved a path of his own in the history of boxing. With his proven ability in the ring. At 33 years old, Eubank has accumulated a record of 32-3 with 23 KOs. And held the WBA middleweight interim title and the IBO super-middleweight title.
Eubank Jr. will have a slight physical advantage in the ring, standing at 5’11” with a 72” reach as well. He is also 4-1 in his last five fights. With plenty left in the tank at this moment in his career.
Updates
There are no injuries reported to ESPN.
Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Betting Preview
You can’t make the proper Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr. prediction without taking a closer look at the available betting lines at your sportsbook. A betting line and its odds can make or break a prediction and betting pick.
According to boxing odds, Smith is coming into this rematch as the -160 betting favorite over the +135 Eubank Jr. In the first meeting, Smith had very different moneyline odds. And closed at around +245 as the underdog.
To repeat the result of the last bout, Smith is +145 to KO Eubank Jr. Eubank Jr. is +420 to do the same. The fight is actually 50/50 whether or not it will go to a decision. With the over/under being set at 10.5 rounds.
Strategy Unveiled
From the technical side of this rematch preview, both guys have an interesting style, and it sets up well for a fight. In the first meeting, Smith felt the power from Eubank Jr. And was comfortable walking him down with a high guard and looking to cut off the cage.
Eubank Jr. settled and gave up real estate in the ring in their first fight. Leading to him being trapped in a corner and getting caught by Smith’s combinations. Eubank Jr. was a little too confident in his skills and fighting behind his jab lazily.
The biggest factor in this rematch seems to be the mental side of things. The energy surrounding both of these fighters this fight week is very different and might say a lot about how the fight will play out on Saturday.
Boxing predictions for a fight at this level need to be made under the justification of factors outside of what you can read on paper. You have to find an edge somewhere else. Because these two veterans are too good at what they do and too closely matched.
Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Prediction
- After looking at this matchup in every way possible and watching the first fight. The official Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr. prediction is that Smith gets the job done again and his hand raised in Manchester.
The reasoning behind this pick is the mental side of this rematch. Eubank Jr. is surrounded by negativity and excuses coming from him and his team this week. Smith clearly has the confidence he needs that he can finish this man again. And that should translate into hyper-focus on fight night.
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