Liam Smith has rubbished claims Chris Eubank Jr could have a weight advantage over him when the two meet on Saturday night.
The fight, which will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester, is set for the middleweight limit of 160lb, one which Eubank has fought at throughout his career.
Smith had previously been a long-time 154-pound contender, but when asked about the weight, 'Beefy' revealed he has long been told to move up to 160lb by those around him.
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“I probably could have gone to 160 at any point in my career. Size wise and strength wise,” he told the Liverpool ECHO. “I have had a few people around me for years saying I should have gone to 160 because 154 takes a little bit out of me.
“That’s what they think and I have always thought it. But I have always never had a doubt I would be big enough and strong enough at 160.
“I think that shows because I am supposedly going up against someone who is a big strong 160. I am not going up against a 160 who has fought at 168. I have sparred Chris and I know I am big enough and strong enough to be in the ring with Chris Eubanks Jr.”
Although Smith, who is a former WBO light-middleweight champion, believes he will have too much for Eubank, he does acknowledge the 33-year-old has the ability to give him a 'tough night'.
He said: “He’s a solid 160. He’s fit, durable and athletic. He’s quick, got speed in terms of combinations. That brings a tough night for anyone really. In a sense, that is how he can compete at a high level.
“I’m not going to sit here and beat around the bush, competing on a high level IQ he wouldn’t compete with people. If he wasn’t that fit, durable, tough and game, that helps him compete on the high level. When you compete like that with high levels you are always in a fight.”
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