Chris Eubank Jr. Vs. Liam Smith II: Odds, Records, Prediction

The first time Chris Eubank Jr. faced off against Liam Smith, Eubank was the -300 betting favorite. But after Smith stunningly KO’d him eight months ago, Eubank is now the underdog heading into Saturday’s rematch. And another loss could permanently stunt his career. Here’s everything you need to know about the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith rematch, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.

There is reason for Eubank to feel somewhat confident heading into the rematch between the British middleweights. Eubank outboxed Smith through most of the first three rounds before Smith landed what Eubank called a “once in a lifetime” punch to badly hurt him in the fourth round. After Eubank fell to the canvas twice and got up on wobbled legs, the referee stopped the fight.

Eight months later, Eubank is clear-headed about the result.

“It wasn’t like I got battered for four rounds and then got knocked out. I was winning the fight, I made a mistake, and paid the price,” Eubank told The Overlap, via Sky Bet. “When I got out of that ring I wasn’t depressed or upset. I was annoyed. I was pissed off—‘How can I let this happen, I know I can beat this guy’—so it was a different type of sting. That’s boxing. You’ve got to take your licks when they’re there and can come back stronger, tougher, more resilient and improve on your mistakes.”

Looking back on the bout, Eubank said he got too complacent and relaxed in the ring vs. Smith. After the third round, in which he caught Smith with some nice combinations and uppercuts, he returned to the corner thinking, “This is in the bag. I’ve got this.”

Smith took advantage of Eubank’s self-satisfaction and dropped him to end the fight.

In the buildup to the rematch, though, Eubank has also floated another theory. According to Eubank, one of Smith’s punches in the flurry that stunned Eubank was actually an elbow instead of a strike with the fist. Smith has denied that, and when the two met on Sky Sports’ The Gloves Are Off, they went back and forth on the matter.

“Do you think I’m that good I can throw an elbow in a nine-punch combination?” Smith asked.

Responded Eubank: “I think you’re that sneaky. I think you’re that crafty as an old fox.

“I think this guy was in the gym each and every day [thinking], ‘Right, we’re going to do a 1-2 and then we’re just going to bring that little puppy [his elbow] right across’ . . . I’ve taken big shots from big guys. Guys that hit way harder than him, and with a punch, it’s a flash of white and then I’m right back. When that elbow hit it went dark. This is not a fancy.”

To that, Smith laughed. But it’s doubtful that either fighter will be laughing when they step into the ring on Saturday.

Here’s more info on the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith showdown that U.S. viewers can watch on ESPN+ beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith odds

At -163 (bet $163 to win $100), Smith is the small favorite to beat Eubank for the second-straight time. Eubank, meanwhile, is the +130 underdog (win $130 on a $100 wager). Earlier in the week, Smith was -150 and Eubank was +120, meaning more of the money apparently has been coming in on Smith. While you have to wonder about Eubank’s chin and his confidence, I wouldn’t predict another KO. Both fighters are -300 to win by decision, and I like that bet better than either of their money lines.

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith records

Losing to Smith broke a six-fight victory streak for Eubank that included wins vs. former world titlist James DeGale and Mat Korobov. Eubank (32-3, 23 KOs) also has victories against Arthur Abraham and Spike O’Sullivan. His only losses have come to successful British fighters like Billy Joe Saunders, George Groves and Smith.

Beating Eubank was the biggest victory of Smith’s career. The fact that it came in his mid-30s is impressive. Aside from defeats vs. Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia, Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) is a former junior middleweight world titlist with wins vs. Jessie Vargas and Sam Eggington.

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith prediction

Smith didn’t hit Eubank with a lucky shot to get his win. But it might have been one of the best flurries of his career, and I have my doubts that he’ll land the big punch again. Eubank will out-box him, and he’ll probably be more cautious. Which means that this might be a relatively dull fight but a fight that Eubank wins by decision, somewhere in the 117-111 range.