Chris Eubank Jr will face Liam Smith in an all-British middleweight contest at Manchester Arena on January 21.
Eubank Jr was scheduled to fight Conor Benn last month, but this fight has been canceled after Benn tested positive for a banned substance.
Liverpool’s Smith, a former world light middleweight champion, says Eubank Jr “is making a big mistake”.
“Every time he’s moved up to elite level he’s failed. I know I’m at that level,” the 34-year-old said.
“If he was 60% for the fight that was never against Conor Benn, then he will have to be 160% to be ready to face me.”
Both men are on impressive winning streaks, with Eubank Jr on a six fights unbeaten and Smith undefeated in three fights after stopping Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas and Hassan Mwakinyo.
Eubank Jr, whose last loss was inflicted by then world champion George Groves in super middleweight in 2018, insists that Smith is not on his level.
“Has he been there with good fighters? Yes. Are they at my level? No,” the 33-year-old said.
“He’s a competent fighter, but class beats skill any day of the week.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to show that I’m twice as much of a fighter as he is as well as those he’s faced.”
