‘It’s not a challenge’ – Chris Eubank Jr says Liam Smith fight so easy he is only sparring eight rounds in training

CHRIS EUBANK JR has revealed he is only sparring eight-round sessions in preparation for his fight with Liam Smith.

The two British middleweights will face off in a 12-round contest at the AO Arena in Manchester on January 21.

It will be nearly a year since Eubank Jr, 33, last fought by the time he gets into the ring next month.

His previous bout came in a unanimous decision victory over Liam Williams, before his October clash with Conor Benn was cancelled after “The Destroyer”; failed a drugs test.

Yet despite a spell of inactivity, Eubank Jr still feels former world champion Smith, 34, will be light work.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I’m going to be sparring eight rounds today, and sparring another eight rounds another two times over the next week and every week until the fight comes. So everything’s on track.

“I don’t think it’s going to be too much of a challenge for me so I don’t think I need to spar any more than eight rounds. That’s probably how long the fight is going to last.

“Guys that are a little bit more dangerous than Liam I’d probably be sparring 12 rounds but I think eight’s more than enough for Liam Smith.

“I’m not being disrespectful, I’m just very confident.”;

Unlike Smith, Eubank Jr has never been a recognised world champion, losing to George Groves in his only title challenge nearly five years ago.

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Before that, he also came up short against Billy Joe Saunders when boxing for the British title in 2014.

But he has not been beaten in any of his last six fights since the Groves defeat – although inactivity has stalled his career.

His best victories have come against Olympic gold medallist James DeGale and Welsh brawler Williams.

Eubank has a record of 32 wins and two defeats.

Meanwhile, Smith has 32 wins, three defeats and one draw to his name.

He became a world champion back in 2015, but has since lost to Canelo Alvarez, Jaime Munguia and most recently to Magomed Kurbanov last year.