Wimbledon Tips

We are back in business following a painfully long January when the British boxing schedule was shelved due to the rise in COVID-19 cases over the festive period.

Fight fans now have a hectic few weeks ahead as the sport's top promoters aim to make up for lost time, clearing the backlog caused by the false start to 2022. On Saturday, Chris Eubank Jr faces Liam Williams at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, to kick things off.

This fight has been months in the making, already falling through twice. It's a bout followers of the noble art are now desperate to see, and the expectations are this one will live up to the hype. Good things come to those who wait, and this 12-round clash will most certainly be a good thing.

Junior must do it in style

It has been three years since Eubank Jr beat James DeGale at the O2 Arena in London on points to win the vacant IBO world super-middleweight title. Chris upset the odds that night when beating Chunky, and it was expected to be the start of big things in his career, but it hasn't worked out that way. Eubank has since fought three and won three - two inside the distance - but those opponents were well below the standard of DeGale.

Eubank heads into fight number 34 of his professional career with a record detailing 31 wins against two defeats with 23 victories by KO/TKO and both losses on points. He is currently ranked number one in the world at middleweight but knows he needs an eye-catching win to stay there. The pressure is on Eubank to beat Williams and do it in style if he is to earn a shot at challenging for another world title.

Despite facing a dangerous opponent in front of a fiercely loyal Welsh support, Eubank is the hot favourite to win here. Backers are eager to keep the Englishman close, which explains why there's no more than 1.412/5 available in the fight winner market. Another KO/TKO is 2.526/4 with a points victory trading at 2.8815/8.

The Machine is ready for more

Any avid follower of British boxing knows just how dangerous Williams is, and many will be shocked to see him written off in the betting. The current fight winner odds suggest the battling Welshman is here to make up the numbers and provide his opponent with a workout. Nothing could be further from the truth. Liam is an ambitious fighter with plans of scoring a massive win in Cardiff and propelling himself back into the world title picture.

The local brings a professional record of 23 wins against three defeats and a draw, with 18 victories coming by knockout and one TKO loss. Two of his defeats were inflicted by UK rival Liam Smith, with the other loss suffered last time out against WBO world champion Demetrius Andrade in Hollywood. Williams fought well that night, but it was almost a year ago, and he was beaten comfortably on the judges' scorecards, knocked down early and losing by nine rounds on two of the sheets.

Having had a taste of the high life and proven he belongs at that level, there will be no hangover for Williams. He has enjoyed a break from the sport following his title challenge and is now ready to get back involved. It's a measure of the man that he's willing to do that at a high level. Williams is 3.711/4 for the win with a KO/TKO trading at 8.415/2, and the points win at home 5.24/1.

Eubank will be made to work

Eubank is a worthy favourite here. He is a former world champion, current number one and has the skills to win a title at middleweight. Despite his pre-fight confidence, Team Eubank will be aware they have a live challenge on their hands here and can't afford to take Williams lightly. That would be a huge mistake.

Boxing away from home with the crowd against him will bring out the best in Eubank, who, like his father, has no trouble filling the role of pantomime villain. He has performed at a higher level, has been more active over the last year and will live up to expectations here. Williams has only lost once inside the distance, and it was a cut suffered against Smith when winning. This will test the judges and should be close.

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