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Smith vs Eubank betting tips:
Chris Eubank Jr will aim to avenge his shock defeat to Liam Smith when they meet in Manchester for an eagerly anticipated rematch this weekend
Eubank Jr was scheduled to face Conor Benn earlier this year but the bout had to be cancelled after Benn failed two drug tests.
Smith stepped in as a relatively late replacement and he was installed as a 5/2 underdog for the bout in January.
However, 'Beefy' secured a stunning upset after unleashing a flurry of powerful blows in the fourth round.
Eubank quickly activated the rematch clause in his contract and these fierce rivals will now renew hostilities at AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.
This time around, UK betting sites make Smith the odds-on favourite and Eubank is the clear underdog.
He admits that he was “complacent” in their first fight and claims he lost due to a “split second mistake” that will not be repeated.
Can he gain revenge this weekend? Read on to learn more about the reasons behind our Smith vs Eubank betting tips.
This rematch should go the distance
The first fight between these men was delicately poised before Smith produced that stunning stoppage in the fourth round.
In fact, Eubank may have been narrowly ahead on the scorecards after a dominant showing in the third round.
He was ultimately stopped in his tracks by what initially appeared to be a fierce left hook from Smith. However, video replays suggested that Smith actually caught Eubank in the face with a swinging elbow, which softened him up.
Either way, Eubank let his guard down, but he has vowed that there will be no repeat of that split second lapse of concentration this weekend.
'Next Gen' had never previously been knocked out, despite taking on dangerous opponents such as George Groves, James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders during his career.
The strength of his chin is now in doubt after that fourth round stoppage in January but he is highly likely to adopt a more cautious approach in the rematch.
Meanwhile, only one man has ever stopped Smith during his 37-fight career – the legendary Canelo Alvarez, who knocked Beefy out in Texas back in 2016.
The Liverpool fighter has gone 10-2 since then and he will be surging with confidence when he steps out in front of a packed AO Arena on Saturday.
He has won 20 of his 37 fights by way of a knockout, including his last four bouts, and he knows he has the power to hurt Eubank.
Yet we should see a more guarded approach from Eubank in the rematch, which is why over 8.5 rounds is priced at just 4/9 with bet365.
If he is more focused and vigilant on Saturday, this one should go to the judge’s scorecards and you can get odds of evens (1/1) on that outcome at William Hill.
Tip: Fight to go the distance - Evens with William Hill
Back Eubank to pull off the upset this time
Most pundits confidently proclaimed that Eubank would get the better of Smith when they locked horns in January.
This time around, you would be hard pressed to find anyone backing Eubank to turn the tables on his rival.
Benn reckons that the damage has been done and claims it will only end one way, while Groves believes that Eubank is too flat when fighting at middleweight.
However, Next Gen would not have activated the rematch clause if he did not feel capable of avenging that brutal defeat.
He has since stopped working with Roy Jones Jr and switched to American trainer Brian McIntyre, who also trains pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
BoMac, a highly-rated trainer who recently helped Crawford see off Errol Spence Jr, said: “He was winning that last fight and he just got careless, so we just need to change a few things and I think he can do a lot better [in the rematch] and I think he can win the fight.”
Next Gen is now fighting to salvage his career as he knows that defeat this weekend could end his chances of ever winning a world title.
He is certainly talking a good game. “I’ve tasted defeat before and I’ve come back bigger, badder, stronger,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s going to be barbaric. It’s going to be frightening. And it’s going to be a Chris Eubank Jr win.”
This time around the odds are against Eubank but he could end up winning this fight if he manages to avoid any flying elbows and follows a more disciplined strategy.
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
