Chris Eubank Jr will look to secure a statement middleweight win this evening as he takes on Liam Williams in hostile territory.
Eubank Jr, son of English boxing icon Chris Eubank, faces Welshman Williams at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, where the atmosphere should be intense after a heated build-up between the fighters. Williams has promised to “smash this guy to pieces”, while Eubank Jr, 32, has said: “He’s already said he’s going to try and fight dirty, but that’s not the fighter I am. I’m going to beat him the right way.”
Eubank Jr (31-2, 23 knockouts) last competed in October, when his opponent Wanik Awdijan retired after five rounds due to a rib injury inflicted by the Briton. The 29-year-old Williams (23-3-1, 18 KOs), meanwhile, last fought in April as he came up short against middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade, with all judges heavily favouring the American. Eubank Jr is seeking a title shot of his own but must beware a dangerous and game opponent this evening. The pair were originally set to fight one another in December, then January; but after those delays, they are finally set to go head-to-head.
In the co-main event, Claressa Shields makes her UK debut as the American defends her middleweight titles against Slovenia’s Ema Kozin. Follow live updates and results from the entire card tonight, below.
Eubank Jr vs Williams
A big win for the Welshman in Cardiff!
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:53
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 8
Final round. Indongo seems to have grown in confidence a bit, but seemingly too late…
Still, Jenkins can’t take anything for granted. He continues to apply pressure but is caught with a straight punch!
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:51
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 7
It’s hard to see any path to victory for Indongo here; he surely needs a knockout, but he’s been unable to trouble Jenkins even when he has landed.
A better round here for Indongo, though, who enjoys his best spell of the fight with a number of accurate entries as Jenkins misses more than he has all night.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:47
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 6
Jenkins looks like he’d love to get Indongo out of there. Indongo fires back but is caught with two counter right hands.
Good head movement from Jenkins to evade Indongo’s own counter attempts.
Left hook to the body of Indongo from Jenkins, then a right straight up top.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:43
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 5
More cheers for Liam Williams as he’s shown on the big screen relaxing in his changing room.
Jenkins continues to attack the body of Indongo, using left hooks to further tire his opponent.
Indongo is fighting valiantly, still throwing with intent, but he’s not troubling Jenkins much.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:39
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 4
More of the same from Jenkins, who presses forward and burrows a left hook into Indongo’s ribcage.
Indongo is fighting on the back foot here, using his jab to keep distance.
Again Indongo finds himself backed into the corner of the ring, but he circles out well. He’s feeling the pace, though, it seems…
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:35
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 3
Jenkins continues to set the pace and flick out shots. He catches Indongo on the end of a right hand, but his opponent counters with a clean strike of his own in the corner.
A couple of slick combinations follow from Indongo, but he looks tired. Jenkins is remaining calm.
Jenkins attacks the body with Indongo against the ropes as the round ends.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:31
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 2
Jenkins again takes the centre. Indongo bouncing around, but he stumbles backwards after getting caught with a right hand!
Nice right hook from Indongo. Little action thereafter…
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:28
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Jenkins vs Indongo – Round 1
Both men are swinging but are just out of range.
Little of note landing for either fighter so far…
Jenkins is the one applying gentle pressure.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:23
Eubank Jr vs Williams
Next up, Welsh welterweight Chris Jenkins competes in front of a home crowd as he faces Julius Indongo.
Alex Pattle5 February 2022 20:18