Brighton hotshot Chris Eubank Jr takes on Billy Joe Saunders tonight. But how will it go? Experts give their verdicts on the big showdown. It's pretty hard-hitting in places...

Don Charles (London coach): I go with Billy Joe Saunders on points. Eubank Jr is very good – in fact I can’t detect any weaknesses – but I just feel it’s a fight too soon for him.

Eubank’s chances would improve if (coach) Ronnie Davies was allowed to do his thing but I fear his hands are tied and Chris Junior’s dad interferes. Senior was a great fighter but hasn’t trained anyone yet in a big fight. Also if Billy Joe was able to withstand the assaults of John Ryder, I feel he’ll withstand whatever Eubank Jr is able to bring.

Bradley Skeete (British welterweight challenger): Recently, when I was sparring Andy Lee, Adam Booth (Lee’s coach) told me Eubank held his own in spars with George Groves so he must have something about him. But Billy Joe has a far stronger amateur pedigree and has fought at a much higher level as a pro. He’s come through the right way. Southern Area, British, Commonwealth, European. Unlike Eubank, he’s done the 12 round trip plenty of times and his last three opponents were all unbeaten. I don’t think he’ll stop Eubank but, provided he doesn’t get drawn in, and sticks to his boxing, Billy Joe will win convincingly on points.

Terry Flanagan (British lightweight champion): I like Billy Joe Saunders. He’s trained very hard for this and he’s got more experience. Eubank Jr is class and can bang but, provided Billy Joe has his right head on, he can edge it on points in a fight that’s part cagey, part war. He’ll be too clever and will box his ears off.

Gary Lockett (Welsh trainer/ex world middleweight challenger): If you place my head on the chopping block, I’ll go with Billy Joe but it’s not a confident pick. I don’t like Eubank Jr’s arrogance. I like to see respect given to all fighters and several times he’s let himself down. But though he’s not been beyond round eight, I don’t think the Eubanks would have taken this fight unless they were very confident of winning.

 

James Cook (London trainer/ex European super-middleweight champion): I go with Billy Joe Saunders. I think this has come too soon for young Eubank. He’s improving but he’s not up there yet. He needs to face an acid test before going up against someone as accomplished as Saunders.

What I don’t like about Junior is how he tries to be a carbon copy of his dad who could really fight. Chris senior could really punch and really take a punch. Junior has different qualities and needs to settle into his own style. If he continues trying to mimic his dad he’ll soon get found out.

Lewis Pettitt (world rated super-bantamweight): Eubank Jr is decent but I don’t like his arrogance. No need. He’s not boxed at Billy Joe’s level so needs to show more respect.

Saunders has boxed at a far higher level and I think he’ll be too experienced. He’s a slick southpaw who can also have a fight. If he gets drawn into a brawl next weekend he could have a hard night or even get beat but his skills are incredible and I expect Saunders will outbox Eubank and win on points.

Steve Robinson (former world featherweight champion): I’m expecting a really good fight. Eubank Jr is probably a bit stronger and he hits very hard, especially with those uppercuts. He’s also a bit of a character who seems to get under a lot of people’s skin but that generates interest and is good for the game.

However, he lacks experience. That’s where Saunders has the big edge. He’s a skilful unorthodox southpaw with good variety and that should take him to a points victory.

The Argus:

Jack Catterall (unbeaten light-welterweight prospect, pictured above): Eubank will win by stoppage. I’ve seen him sparring in the gyms and I’m really impressed with his raw strength.

Nick Blackwell (ex British middleweight challenger): I’ve fought and sparred Billy Joe and also sparred Eubank five or six times so I’m well positioned to analyse this.

Eubank hasn’t fought anyone near Billy Joe Saunders’s level. Neither are ‘one punch’ bangers but I give Chris the edge in power. However, he really loads up. The more we sparred, the more I started to get on top. In our last spar I was pushing him back and beating him up.

Billy Joe is a lot better technically, has better footwork, plus an edge is speed and work rate. He punches in snappy combos and, whereas previously he’s only trained at 50%, he’s really licked himself into shape for this, over in Spain.

It might start like a chess match but Billy Joe will gradually take Eubank to places he’s not been before; outbox him and make him look silly. If Eubank is as tough as his old man, he’ll not get stopped but Saunders will win clearly.

Frank Buglioni (leading super-middleweight prospect): Billy Joe by mid to late round stoppage, definitely. It could even be earlier. I think it’ll be very one sided. Billy will have way too much from the opening bell.

The Argus:

Liam Smith (British light-middleweight champion, (pictured above): You’ve got to go with Billy Joe. He’s just better all round. He’s far more experienced, has had more rounds in harder fights against better opposition. Motivation is another key factor here. He’ll raise his game to new levels.

Mitchell Smith (English super-featherweight champion): If they were still amateurs, there’s no way this fight would be accepted. Eubank simply isn’t up to the standard, hasn’t earned the right to be challenging for the European title, contesting a world eliminator. 

He looks very strong, very fast but he’s got his shot through his mouth, not through his boxing. He’s not even fought at Southern Area level yet. He’s jumped the queue because of his name. It’s pathetic.

Jason Rowlands (Essex trainer): Eubank has just got something about him and he’s improving with every fight. He’s a natural puncher, particularly with the uppercut which is always a good shot against the southpaw. He’s got long arms, good leverage and can cause a lot of damage. I’ve got a funny feeling that Eubank Jr is going to edge it. 

Brian Lawrence (London coach): I think Billy Joe will have way too much for Eubank Jr. He’s proven himself. Eubank Jr hasn’t fought anybody. His record is padded and this is a big, big step up. 

Stuey Hall (former world bantamweight champion): I lean to Billy Joe Saunders just coming through on points. He’s more experienced and has fought better opposition over 12 rounds.

Eubank Jr looks a good talent and has blown out a lot of opposition. I expect it to be cagey for a few rounds, then Eubank to try to put it on Saunders. It’s possible he could take the champion out.

But he’s yet to be tested and Billy Joe has a lot of skill and experience. That should be enough.