Eubank Jr v Williams betting tips: Junior back in the big time
Odds and preview for Saturday’s middleweight bout
Big-time boxing returns this weekend with an all-British barnburner in the middleweight division and we have all of the action previewed as we pick out some Eubank Jr v Williams betting tips.
Following a frustrating autumn for Chris Eubank Jr where he saw tune-up bouts cancelled because of Covid-19, he will be looking to put on a show on Saturday night as he searches for the big-money bouts at 160lb.
He is the 2/5 favourite for the fight, but Liam Williams was a world title challenger when last seen and will keep the pressure on at all times as a 3/1 chance.
First bell for the main event is due around 10.30pm, but Sky Sports will have live coverage of all the action from Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena from 7.30pm.
Middle is the right weight
Eubank Jr cut a ripped figure as he tipped the scales bang on the middleweight limit of 160lb and the thought is, if the 32-year-old is to become a bona fide world champion this is the division he is going to do it in.
Although twice picking up the secondary IBO world super middleweight belt when campaigning at 168lb, it is somewhat telling that in his biggest fight at super-middle he was comprehensively outpointed by George Groves in an eagerly awaited all-British showdown at the Manchester Arena.
In theory the move back down to 160lb should see Eubank’s all-action style have much greater effect against men of equal or less stature. He is sure to rehydrate well following the weigh-in and his size advantage could prove a vital asset against an opponent who has regularly fought at light-middleweight in the past.
Jones v Booth
One of the most intriguing aspects of this fight is the clash of two of boxing’s most astute tactical minds in the respective corners. The highly-decorated four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr is taking care of Eubank Jr, while Williams has switched from Dominic Ingle to Adam Booth ahead of this bout.
Jones Jr has been in the corner for both of Eubank Jr’s most recent fights, but this is the first real test of their partnership and it will be interesting to see how much tinkering the American has made to ‘Next Gen’, considering the 32-year-old was notoriously hard to train in his younger days.
Eubank Jr is definitely his father’s son and has shown all the stubbornness of his enigmatic old man throughout his 33-fight career. It can be argued that now is not the time for Eubank to be deviating from the aggressive rapid combinations that have been his trademark and the concern is that if Jones Jr is simply trying to create a clone of himself then the Brighton-born brawler is probably not the ideal pupil.
To add further spice to the mix, Booth once worked briefly with Eubank before the partnership ended as quickly as it started. Booth is one of the best tacticians in the game and could be the man to take Williams from his current level of respected hard man to a genuine threat to the 160lb world champions.
🤔 Can Chris Eubank Jr execute what Roy Jones Jr tells him?
Adam Booth discusses the impact of Chris Eubank Jr's coach Roy Jones Jr 🥊
🌟 #EubankJrWilliams | 5 Feb
📺 Live on Sky Sports | @boxxer @wassermanboxing pic.twitter.com/UxtZSQHMzT— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) January 31, 2022
Last-chance saloon
With both fighters having plenty of miles on the clock and not getting any younger, this could be the last chance to propel themselves into world title contention.
Eubank Jr’s name means he is no stranger to headlining big nights of boxing but to cement his legacy, he will be looking for more than just his name in bold on posters when looking back through his scrap book. Some recognised silverware would therefore go some way to the Brighton native exiting his father’s shadow.
For Williams, this will be the fourth time he headlines and the first in front of his home fans. He is yet to record a victory when closing out the card following two losses to Liam Smith and being outclassed by Demetrius Andrade when challenging for the WBO belt last time.
A solid brawler with punching power that can shake the toughest of opponents to their boots, Williams now needs to prove he has the boxing class to go with the brute strength if he is to advance from his current status of fringe contender.
Big fight odds
Both fighter’s styles suggest they could collide in the best way possible and plenty of fireworks can be expected, with both fighters carrying plenty of ‘pop’ that makes knockdowns and knockouts a possibility.
If Eubank is able to overwhelm Williams with his speed and combinations then he could easily force a stoppage at 11/8 in Eubank Jr v Williams betting tips.
Although having 23 wins by stoppage on his record, Eubank Jr rarely blows his opponents away when the calibre of opponent is stepped up. Therefore, there could be some value in the 11/4 for Next Gen to register a victory in the second half of the fight in Eubank Jr v Williams betting tips. A win via points for Eubank Jr is 13/8.
The jacket has been haunting him… Saturday night it will be me doing the haunting. pic.twitter.com/rmIN0hJ3Pl
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) February 3, 2022
However, it is foolish to overlook Williams, who will be spurred on by the vociferous Cardiff fight fans packed into the Motorpoint Arena and he will refuse to go down without a fight. If he is to win he may have to climb off the canvas to do so and it is 12/1 for the Welshman to win having been knocked down.
He may also need one or two favours from the judges, so a victory for the home man via split decision also enters calculations at 16/1 as our final Eubank Jr v Williams betting tips suggestion.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
