By Barry Holbrook: Frank Warren believes Liam Williams has what it takes to best Chris Eubank Jr. in their fight this Saturday night if he starts fast out of the blocks.

Warren, who used to promote the former 160-lb world title challenger Williams (23-3-1, 18 KOs), suggests that he can win if he starts strong right off the bat, attacks Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KOs) aggressively, and puts it on him.

Eubank Jr will be coming into Saturday’s middleweight fight against Williams as the favorite when they meet for their clash on Sky Sports PPV at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

Liam must be aggressive

Williams, 29, cannot make the mistake of fighting the way he did in his recent defeat against WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade, Warren cautions. If Williams fights like that against Eubank Jr. on Saturday night, he’ll have problems, says Warren.

With three defeats on Williams’ 11-year professional resume, he must defeat Eubank Jr if he hopes to get a lucrative fight against one of the world champions at middleweight.

If nothing else, a victory over Eubank Jr. on Saturday night will put Williams in a good position for a rematch with him, which will create a lot of interest from boxing fans, including possibly some of the world champions at 160.

Full weights for Saturday’s Eubank Jr-Williams card:

Chris Eubank Jr. 160 vs. Liam Williams 159
Claressa Shields 159 vs. Ema Kozin 159.5
Otto Wallin 253.5 vs. Kamil Sokolowski 234.5
Julius Indongo 146.5 vs. Chris Jenkins 149
Steve Robinson 242.5 vs. Shane Gill 252
Caroline Dubois 138.4 vs. Vaida Masiokaite 138
Harlem Eubank 141.5 vs. Viorel Simion 139.5
Samuel Antwi 146.5 vs. Conah Walker 146
Rhys Edwards 127 vs. Ruslan Berchuk 125

Warren: Liam Williams must jump on him

“Listen, I like Liam. We promoted him, and he started his career with me. If Liam goes out and jumps on him, I think he can give him a lot of problems, but if he fights like he did against [Demetrius] Andrade, then he’ll have problems in that fight,” said promoter Frank Warren to Secondsout on Williams’ match against Eubank Jr. on Saturday night.

“He’s got to take everything away from Chris Eubank,” Warren continued. “Chris Eubank Jr is not a big puncher. He’s gone up a weight, and I just think Liam basically has to give it his all. He can win that fight.

“It’s all about what Liam Williams shows up on the night, and if it’s the Liam Williams who I’ve seen in the ring do some really good things.

“If that Liam shows up, he can win the fight, but he’s absolutely got to stamp his authority from round one,” said Warren on the keys to victory for Williams.

Eubank Jr. wins with his volume punching, particularly with his uppercuts that he tends to throw in a jackhammer fashion.

Eubank Jr. leaves himself open for counters due to his habit of throwing a lot of shots, and that’ll give Williams plenty of opportunities to land his big shots.

Eubank Jr wants Canelo Alvarez

“All these guys do the same thing – they dance, trying to not get knocked out, but eventually Canelo catches up with them,” Eubank Jr said to Sky Sports.

“His bread and butter are to hunt guys that run away,” said Eubank Jr. about Canelo.”You have got to fight fire with fire. Make him respect you. That’s precisely what I would do.

“Let those hands go hard and fast! So he doesn’t end up just teeing off on you against the ropes. Canelo needs to fight guys that people will be excited about.

“I’ve been told he wants to fight in the UK. In the UK, there is absolutely nobody else who would be a better fight for him than me,” said Eubank Jr.

At this point, it’ll likely require a series of wins over the top middleweights for Eubank Jr. to be considered for a fight against Canelo. That is to say, beating Liam Williams isn’t going to impress Canelo or his trainer/manager Eddy Reynoso enough for them to give Eubank Jr. a fight.

For Eubank Jr. to get a fight with Canelo, he’ll need to beat these types of fighters:

Gennadiy Golovkin
Jermall Charlo
Jaime Munguia
Ryota Murata
Demetrius Andrade
David Benavidez
Caleb Plant