Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Williams Preview Feb. 5th, 2022
Former IBO Super Middleweight Champion Chris Eubank Jr. of England takes on Liam Williams of Wales in a big British domestic clash this Saturday, February 5th. The 12-round middleweight tilt can be seen live in the UK on Sky Sports Arena from Cardiff, Wales. Eubank last fought in October when he stopped Wanik Awdijan after five rounds. Williams’ last outing came in April when he dropped a unanimous decision to WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade.
Eubank Jr. vs Williams Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Liam Williams +220
- Chris Eubank Jr. -280
My Pick
The 32-year-old Eubank enters the ring at 31-2 with 23 Kos to his name. He won the IBO Super Middleweight Title in 2017 when he stopped Renold Quinlan in the 10th round. He then defended it against Arthur Abraham and Avni Yildirim before losing the belt to George Groves via a unanimous decision in 2018. His first pro defeat came in 2014 when Billy Joe Saunders beat him by split decision for the European, British and Commonwealth Middleweight Championship Belts.
Eubank also has a win over James DeGale by unanimous decision in 2019 to regain the IBO Super Middleweight crown. However, Eubank has since dropped down in weight to compete as a middleweight. He possesses good power and boxing skills and has 201 rounds of experience since turning pro in 2011. He’s also beaten Nick Blackwell, Dmitrii Chudinov, Gary O’Sullivan and Bradley Price.
Eubank stands 5-feet-11-inches tall with a 72.5-inch and has often displayed impressive power up to now with a current knockout ratio of 69.7 per cent. He’s been wobbled and cut a couple of times in the ring, but also has a solid chin. Eubank’s at his best when he overwhelms his opponent with his relentless punching and is hard to keep at bay because of it. However, he isn’t the hardest guy to hit if he gets goaded into a slugfest, but most boxers prefer not to go toe-to-toe with him. Saunders beat him by outboxing him in a close fight while the loss against Groves was more of a brawl.
The 29-year-old Williams hails from Wales so has the hometown advantage here. He was riding a seven-bout winning streak with all victories coming by stoppage before losing to Andrade last year. He enters the ring with a mark of 23-3-1 with 18 Kos with the only other man to beat him as a pro being fellow Brit Liam Smith. He lost to Smith after nine rounds in April 2017 for the interim WBO Jr Middleweight Title when the fight was stopped due to a cut eye.
He then dropped the rematch by majority 12-round decision seven months later and the only other fight he hasn’t won was a third-round technical draw with Tyan Booth in December, 2013. Williams has boxed 133 rounds since making his pro debut in 2011 and stands 5-feet-10-inches tall with an unlisted reach, meaning he’s an inch shorter than Eubank. Smith also has good power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 66.7 per cent.
Andrade and Smith have definitely been Williams’ toughest opponents to date with the rest of his fights being against mainly domestic and lower-level opponents. Since turning pro he’s won the British, Commonwealth and European Jr Middleweight Championships as well as winning the WBO Inter-Continental, and WBC Silver Middleweight titles. He also has victories over Alantez Fox, Karim Achour, Gary Corcoran and Mark Heffron.
Prediction…
Williams is likely a little underrated as a boxer while Eubank Jr. could be slightly overrated. Records don’t usually mean much in domestic grudge matches such as this and the fans should be in for a treat. Eubank certainly can’t take Williams lightly but with his overall skills and power I’m expecting him to do enough to beat him in an entertaining contest.
The more polished Eubank should prevail.
Play: Eubank Jr. -280 @ BetOnline.ag
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Chris Eubank betting • Liam Williams betting