Date, time and background
On Saturday, Chris Eubank Jr., a middleweight contender, will face veteran Liam Smith in Manchester, England via DAZN.
CHRIS EUBANK JR. (32-2, 23 KOs) vs. LIAM SMITH (32-3-1, 19 KOs)
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Date: Saturday, Jan. 21
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Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 AM PT (main show event)
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WhereAO Arena, Manchester (England)
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TV/StreamDAZN
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Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
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It’s all at stake: No major titles
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Ranking by Pounds-for-Pound: None
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Odds: Eubank 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
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The card can be used for other purposes.: Richard Riakporhe vs. Krzysztof Głowacki, cruiserweights; Joseph Parker vs. Jack Massey, heavyweights; Ekow Essuman vs. Chris Kongo, welterweights
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Prediction: Eubank UD
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BackgroundConor Benn, a rival of Chris Eubank Jr., was to meet Chris Eubank Jr. in a highly-anticipated bout at 157 pounds last Oct. 8. But the fight was scrapped Benn tested positive to a banned substance. Three months later, Eubank will be facing Liam Smith, an ex-154-pound titleholder. Eubank, 33, has won six consecutive fights following his 2018 loss to George Groves. Last time he fought was February 2017. put Liam Williams down four times He was awarded a large decision. Smith, who is 34, has also enjoyed great success. After losing to Magomed Kubranov in May 2021 in a unanimous decision, Smith has won three straight. His most recent fight was against Hassan Mwakinyo last September. He won in just four rounds, in a scheduled 12-round 160-pound bout. All four major sanctioning organizations rank Smith at 154 pounds. He might be best known for losing his 154-pound title to Canelo Alvarez by a ninth-round knockout in 2016 at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas.