Former IBO super middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. is set to make his long-awaited return to the ring after more than a year of inactivity. With a victory, Eubank Jr. hopes to position himself for a future clash with former undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.

However, the question is, will Kamil Szeremeta of Poland let that happen? The duo will lock horns at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the much-anticipated fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the IBO middleweight title. To help make an informed choice, when the action begins next weekend, here’s a thorough breakdown of the fight. 

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta: The winner on paper

A fighter’s resume often tells a compelling story about their trajectory, and in the case of Chris Eubank Jr. and Kamil Szeremeta, their records suggest a clear favorite—at least on paper. The son of the legendary Chris Eubank Sr., Eubank Jr. boasts an impressive record of 33 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws. He’s riding high off a thrilling 10th-round knockout victory over Liam Smith, avenging his prior 4th-round knockout loss to Smith earlier in 2023 at the same venue.

Despite concerns of ring rust and inactivity, Eubank has demonstrated his ability to finish strong, having secured two stoppages in his last four outings. His wealth of experience gives him a significant edge, with seven more professional bouts than his opponent, Szeremeta, who holds a record of 25 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws.

Szeremeta, coming off a split-decision draw against Abel Mina in February, has also showcased similar form, with two stoppages in his last four fights. Notably, Szeremeta’s activity in 2024, with one fight already under his belt, could be a key factor. Both fighters have fought twice in the past year, but Szeremeta’s more recent action may help him shake off any early rust quickly.

Eubank’s three losses came against top-tier competition: Billy Joe Saunders in 2014, George Groves in 2018, and Liam Smith in 2023. Meanwhile, Szeremeta’s defeats were to heavy hitters Gennady Golovkin in 2020 and Jaime Munguia in 2021. On paper, Eubank’s experience and high-level competition give him the upper hand, and he is likely the favorite. However, if Eubank struggles to find his rhythm early due to his inactivity, Szeremeta’s sharper timing could make the opening rounds more competitive than expected.

Who has the physical advantages?

Physical attributes can play a key role in how a fighter approaches and executes their strategy in the ring. Despite Chris Eubank Jr.’s experience and skill set, he could face challenges if Kamil Szeremeta had better physical tools. But does he? At 35 years old, Eubank Jr. stands at 5’11” (180 cm), giving him only a slight height advantage over the 34-year-old 5’9½” (177 cm) Szeremeta.

When it comes to reach, Szeremeta holds a minor edge. Eubank Jr.’s reach measures 72½” (184 cm), whereas Szeremeta boasts a slightly longer wingspan at 73″ (186 cm). This small difference could give Szeremeta a slight advantage in keeping Eubank at bay, but it’s unlikely to dramatically shift the fight in his favor.

As for weight, fighters often use their size strategically, either to drain their opponent’s stamina or to impose physical pressure. While the official weigh-in numbers aren’t out yet, their previous bouts give us some insight into their potential fight night weights. Eubank Jr. typically competes around the 160-pound middleweight limit, having weighed in at 159¼, 159, and 160 pounds in his last three contests. However, he has been known to fight slightly heavier, such as when he came in at 164 pounds for his bout against Wanik Awdijan, or 161½ against Marcus Morrison.

Szeremeta, meanwhile, recently fought at super middleweight but has usually hovered around the 161¾ to 162-pound mark in his prior fights. Given this, neither fighter appears to have a significant advantage in terms of weight, as both have fluctuated slightly above the middleweight limit in previous contests.

While Szeremeta holds a marginal reach advantage, and their weight fluctuates similarly, these attributes are unlikely to have a decisive impact on the outcome of the fight. The battle will likely come down to experience, skill, and strategy, where Eubank Jr. still holds the upper hand.

Will this fight have a knockout?

A potential knockout is certainly a factor in this fight, and Chris Eubank Jr.’s power could be the decisive element. The Englishman boasts a 72.73% knockout ratio, having ended 24 of his 33 victories by stoppage. In contrast, Kamil Szeremeta holds a far lower knockout ratio of 30%, with only 8 of his 25 wins coming by way of knockout.

Eubank has shown a consistent ability to finish his opponents, while knockouts have been far less common for Szeremeta. Adding to this, Eubank is fresh off an emphatic knockout win, proving that he still has the power to end fights in dramatic fashion. Given his track record, Eubank will likely be hunting for that one fight-ending shot, making a knockout a strong possibility.

With Eubank’s clear advantage in punching power and a recent knockout victory to boost his confidence, there’s a good chance fans could witness Szeremeta hitting the canvas before the final bell.

That being said, Chris Eubank Jr. should get his hand raised by the end of the fight, potentially after a knockout. Even the official odds for this fight suggest more fans are leaning towards Eubank Jr. However, do you think the fight could go the other way? Let us know in the comments below.