Boxing

CHRIS EUBANK JR returns to the ring on December 11 against ‘The Machine’ Liam Williams in an all-British middleweight bout. The pair are set to face off in Cardiff after weeks of back-and-forth on social media.
Eubank Jr vs Williams TOTT
Eubank Jr last fought as recently as OctoberCredit: PA
While Williams (R) has been out of action since AprilCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Following wins for Eubank Jr this year against Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan a super-fight with Gennady Golovkin was rumoured.
But SunSport exclusively revealed that plans to fight Triple G are parked until the summer.
Instead he will take on 29-year-old Williams in a tasty all-British bout.
Next Gen has won 30 out his 32 career fights – losing only to George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders.
Williams meanwhile has won 23 out of his 27 fights – losing three and drawing one.
His most recent fight ended in defeat against WBO middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade in April.

Eubank Jr has 22 knockouts on his record compared to Williams’ 18, with the pair having a similar KO ratio.
And the son of Eubank Sr has the slender advantage when it comes to height and reach.
He stands at 5ft11in, just an inch taller than opponent Williams.
And he boasts a longer reach by three inches.
Both men are orthodox fighters when it comes to their stance, with seemingly little splitting them when it comes to the stats.
And there’s plenty at stake with the winner of the bout expected to be in line for a shot at a title when they next fight.
The packed out Motorpoint Arena should be in for a treat when the two men come to blows in less than a month’s time.
Liam Williams reacts to Chris Eubank Jr December 11th fight confirmation More

CHRIS EUBANK JR and Liam Williams have confirmed they will fight on December 11 in Cardiff to settle their long-running feud.SunSport exclusively revealed in September that Eubank Jr was ready to fight Williams after shelving plans to box Gennady Golovkin until next summer.
Chris Eubank Jr will fight Liam Williams in Cardiff next month

Eubank Jr and Williams have been at each other’s throats on social media ever since.
But the pair will finally settle scores in front of a packed crowd at the Motorpoint Arena next month.
WBA title contender Eubank Jr, who boasts a 30-2 record, declared: “Liam Williams has been saying a lot to try to catch my attention and bait me into fighting him.
“It’s now got to the point where everyone is asking me to shut him up, and on December 11, I’m going to give the people what they want.
“As I’ve said, I’m only involved in big fights from now on and this is the fight people want to see. They want to see if Williams can back up what he’s been saying – which he won’t.
“I’m on a mission towards world titles and Liam Williams is someone I’ve got to go through to get there. I’m looking forward to shutting him up.”

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Williams, whose record stands at 23-3-1, responded: “I’m very excited to get the fight made. It’s been coming for a long time.
“I can’t wait to shut his mouth once and for all. There’s nothing like a big domestic showdown to get the juices flowing.
“A lot of people have been calling for this fight for a long time. I personally think it’s the biggest all-British fight outside of AJ and Fury.
“I’m really excited and just counting down the days. I’ve not been that impressed with Chris’ recent performances. 
“People are talking about how he’s brought Roy Jones in to improve him, but if I’m being totally honest, I don’t think he’s improved one bit.
“A win in this fight and possibly even a stoppage over Eubank and my name is going to be well and truly out there and in the mix for world titles.”
The fight will be Eubank’s third this year, with the ace beating Marcus Morrison in May before defeating Wanik Awdijan last month.
Eubank Jr has now won his last five bouts since losing to George Groves in February 2018.
And after holding the WBA interim middleweight title up until August, he is now eager to continue his trajectory towards a title shot, with the belt currently held by American ace Erislandy Lara.
Meanwhile, Williams has fought just once in 2021, suffering defeat to WBO middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade in April.
Before that, Williams had won seven in a row following two straight defeat to Liam Smith.
And a win for him against Eubank Jr would throw Williams right back into the title hunt.
Boxing fan asks Chris Eubank Jr to sign his microwave in Newcastle More

ANTHONY JOSHUA’s recent trip to the United States wasn’t about ‘identifying a new trainer’.AJ sparked intense speculation he could ditch long-time coach Rob McCracken after being spotted at several gyms during his stateside stay following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua jetted off to America not long after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
AJ trained with renowned coach Ronnie Shields during his recent tripCredit: Instagram @tristan.kalkreuth
But promoter Eddie Hearn insists the trip wasn’t about replacing head coach Rob McCrackenCredit: Sportsfile
But promoter Eddie Hearn insists the former unified heavyweight champion’s trip to America was about ‘learning’ in a different environment.
The Matchroom Boxing chief told DAZN: “The trip wasn’t about identifying a new trainer, it was about learning and new environments.
“I believe that he needs to change his environment.”
Hearn believes the Watford warrior would benefit immensely from a change of scenery.
He continued: “I believe that’s a good move for him.
“He’s been in Sheffield since he’s been 18, that’s 14 years, and it’s an amazing camp.

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“But he’s God there, and in the UK. What he liked about coming over here, he could go to breakfast, he could get to the gym, and he wasn’t being mobbed all day, every day.”
Axing mentor and good friend McCracken for next year’s rematch with Usyk is something Hearn believes Joshua, 32, will find hard to do.
He told BetFred: “Robert McCracken is more than just a trainer to AJ. He’s a friend. He’s a mentor. He’s an advisor.”
Joshua will bid to reclaim the unified heavyweight titles from the undefeated Usyk in the spring.
And although a date for their rematch has not yet been finalised, Hearn has already seen a change in mentality from the fallen champ.

He said: “I say we have to go rough and rugged but he’s got to have that challenger mentality in this fight and he’s got it.
“Everything I hear from him tells me that he wants to win badly and bash Usyk up, which I didn’t hear any of going into the first fight.
“He’s angry, which is good.
“No decision has been made yet but I do think a change of scenery would be good for him in terms of where his training camp’s based.”
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Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will return to USA for more training ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch as he considers new coach More