Boxing Tips: Ian Vickers backing Chris Eubank Jr in 13/8 shot

Our boxing compiler Ian Vickers gives us an insight as to where the value may be found in this weekend’s headline BOXXER bout.

There has been plenty of late money coming in for Chris Eubank Jr – shifting him into 1/3 to win the fight by any means.

I’ve also noticed some smart money going on to the KO too, which has come in from 3/1 to 12/5, so there are plenty of punters fancying Eubank to get the job done inside the distance.

Considering Liam Smith has only ever been stopped by the legendary Canelo Alvarez that is quite a decent price move in fairness, especially for a fight of this size and magnitude.

Regards who I think wins this fight, then I have to go with Eubank – he just has everything in his locker.

He has the speed, the movement, the chin and he is naturally a lot bigger. He will have far too much for Liam Smith on the night, in my opinion.

I watched Smith in his last fight against Hassan Mwakinyo and I thought he was absolutely dreadful! 

He was behind on points until he got the very dubious stoppage, and also if you are looking at the line of form, then let’s remember that Smith was involved in a real tight fight against Liam Williams in 2018, before the late stoppage – and edged another tight affair in the rematch.

Eubank Jr on the other hand made a mockery of the Welshman last year, toyed with him and put him down in rounds one, two, four and 11, but didn’t quite manage to get him out of there inside the distance.

For all I say about Eubank Jr, do I see him stopping Smith on Saturday night, I can’t say that I do, although there are plenty of others disagreeing with me, with 9/4 on offer if you are one of them.
 

Listen, we are talking about two experienced fighters here, two guys who maybe don’t possess the power punches that they used to.

Neither have ever been real concussion hitters, but at any level, including elite-level, age does take a hold of you and that power can start to diminish, so despite the movement on the KO line, I just don’t see it.

Couple that together with the fact that both of these fighters are warriors with granite chins, and it makes for a bout that looks primed to go the distance.

Personally speaking, it is hard to look beyond anything other than a unanimous decision victory for Eubank, which is available at 13/8.

I’ve spoken to a few people ahead of this fight and there are contrasting views as to whether there will be a knockdown scored.

I know there are those that think Eubank will find a way through and trouble Smith, but given the reasons I explained earlier, I think that 21/20 for there to be ‘Under 0.5 Knockdowns’ looks a good bet.

I know that Eubank Jr put Liam Williams down four times last year, but this is a different fight – Smith is a different operator – he is slick, very intelligent and is as tough and as game as they come!

View all of the latest markets, odds and Bet Boosts ahead of Eubank Jr v Smith

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
 

Ian Vickers

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