Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith press conference quotes
Middleweight rivals Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith got into a heated war of words at today’s official pre-fight press conference ahead of their main event showdown on this Saturday’s BOXXER event, which airs live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Eubank and Smith have previously expressed their genuine dislike for each other and their tensions came to the surface today as the two traded verbal barbs before facing off for a staredown photo.
LIAM SMITH:
"It's just the win that matters regardless. I'd love to make a statement and stop him, but a win at any means necessary is the aim.”
"Nobody believes him [about coming in at 50%], maybe a couple of his phone carriers and ball carriers. He doesn't believe that himself. His coaches, Roy and Ronnie, both have told you different, so we'll see Saturday what shape he's in."
CHRIS EUBANK JR
"I've always wanted to win this fight by knockout. The fact that Liam is being a child up here it gives me a bit of extra incentive to embarrass him.
"I'm cutting weight right now, so I'm at a good solid 44-45 per cent right now, but I'll be a strong 50 per cent on the night and that will be more than enough to take the man [out].
"I actually weighed in lighter than Liam yesterday, so I guess that argument about weights is irrelevant now. Liam's the bigger man. I'm comfortable, happy and glad to be back in Manchester."
ROY JONES JR, TRAINER OF CHRIS EUBANK JR
"When you're a complete fighter, there's no style to be caught between. Chris is a complete fighter now, so he can fight any style.
"Smith is a highly dangerous opponent. He's been in the ring with the likes of Canelo and knows his way around the ring. That pushes Chris even more to get ready and get prepared. If he chooses to use 40 per cent, that's up to him. Our goal is to get him ready and then it's up to him."
JOE McNALLY, TRAINER OF LIAM SMITH
"I'm expecting a bit of Roy (Jones Jr), a little bit of ferociousness. I hope he brings everything because that's what Liam's prepared for.
“I believe the early rounds will be key, If Eubank allows Smith to take the the early rounds he might be forced into trying to get a stoppage. Eubank cannot take his foot off the pedal."
BEN SHALOM, PROMOTER
"I remember when I met Liam, he said, 'get me the Eubank fight and I'll sign with you.’ Now It's a bigger fight than when Liam first mentioned it to me.
“It’s just built and built, it's got war written all over it and I think this is what British boxing really needs right now."
Photo credit Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
