• Billy Joe Saunders v Chris Eubank Jr

Eubank Jr: Under surface, Saunders is scared

Chris Eubank Jr has claimed he can detect chinks in Billy Joe Saunders' armour that tell him his opponent is not ready for their upcoming fight.

The fighters will meet on Saturday at London's ExCel Arena in a WBO middleweight title eliminator and there has been little love lost between the pair in the build-up.

Saunders has already accused Eubank Jr of being "ignorant" and claimed no one gets on with the Brighton-based fighter, while insisting the hatred between the men is genuine.

But speaking on Buncey's Boxing Podcast, Eubank Jr claimed Saunders is nervous and showing signs of complacency.

"He's intimidated," Eubank Jr said. "This facade - he's smiley, jokey, having a bit of a laugh, but deep down it's just an act. He knows what's coming.

"He's got that awkward smile about him that tells me he's not ready. He's not ready for the firepower. My training has been perfect, my sparring has been great, I've been getting personal bests in my sprints, I'm fully fit and ready to cause havoc."

Eubank Jr caused outrage in boxing circles earlier this month by failing to turn up to a pre-fight press conference, with fight promoter Frank Warren claiming the Eubank camp reneged on an agreement to appear in return for extra security due to fears Saunders would attack their fighter.

On Monday, however, Eubank Jr did appear at second press conference, but opted against bringing his entourage and family with him.

"It's just like I'm going to be on the night - completely alone," he said. "I didn't want to have to put my team and father through a press conference with 'Average Joe', having to listen to his rubbish for an hour.

"I'm cool, calm and calculated. I don't let anything get to me. I don't let the fight get to me, I don't let the occasion get to me. It's all a distraction so I block it out and focus on the task in hand, which is becoming the new Commonwealth and European champion."

Chris Eubank Jr says he is immune to any mind games ahead of Saturday's fight © Getty Images

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