Chris Eubank Jr believes Canelo Alvarez will prove too strong for Callum Smith in their Super Middleweight world title showdown in Texas on Saturday.
Four-weight world champion, Canelo takes on WBA ’Super’ and Ring Magazine champion, Smith in front of a limited crowd at The Alamodome, whilst the vacant WBC title is also at stake.
Eubank Jr, who has competed at Super Middleweight and Middleweight during his career expects the Mexican star to put in a resounding display and inflict a first defeat on his compatriot.
“It will be a dominant performance from Canelo,” Eubank Jr told Sky Sports.
“After watching Smith against John Ryder, that exposed a lot of weaknesses in his game.
“Canelo is a better, more advanced version of Ryder. Smith will have a lot of trouble in this fight. I don’t see him being effective.
“But he does have heavy hands so that would be the only way he has success – but Canelo has a good chin.
“Smith is a legitimate world champion so is the right fight for Canelo.”
Eubank Jr has not fought since claiming the WBA Interim Middleweight title with a second round win over Matt Korobov, who withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury.
The 31-year-old, who has linked up with former pound-for-pound great, Roy Jones Jr is ranked as the number one contender to Canelo’s WBA 160lbs title and says he is also targeting clashes with WBC champion Jermall Charlo and IBF holder Gennady Golovkin, who defends his belt against unbeaten Kamil Szeremeta in Hollywood on Friday.
“I want to fight him [Canelo] and I’ll continue to say it until he fights me or he gives up that belt,” Eubank Jr added.
“At some point, he has to get in the ring with me or give up that belt.
“No 1 is Canelo, No 2 is Gennadiy Golovkin and No 3 is Jermall Charlo.
“They all have middleweight titles.
“The Golovkin fight was supposed to happen years ago and I’ve always regretted that and wanted to make it right.
“Charlo is also an interesting fight which fans would want to see.
“I’m gunning for anyone with a world title.”
