Chris Eubank Junior introduces fear factor to Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan showdown

Chris Eubank Junior insists Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan has shown signs of nervousness during the bitter build-up to their long-awaited grudge match, which finally takes place at London’s 02 Arena tomorrow.

The pair have been embroiled in an online war of words for over two years but they will finally settle their differences in the ring tomorrow, in a final eliminator for the WBA world title.

Although he admits to not liking Eubank personally, Spike insists he only got personal with the Englishman, son of the former two-weight world champion of the same name, in a bid to land the fight. And he says the plan has worked perfectly, with a career-best purse guaranteed for the contest.

But Eubank says O’Sullivan has talked himself into a fight he does not really want and insists “fear” is beginning to set in for his opponent.

After yesterday’s final press conference in London, he said: “The way Gary was acting and some of the things he was saying were schoolboy, childish even. That to me, signals nervousness.

“He didn’t keep his cool, he resorted to childish antics and that for me is a dead giveaway for somebody that is extremely nervous.

“I don’t take anything personally, I don’t need to. All I need is to get in the ring and perform. He can call me ‘Chrissie’ or jump up and down. It makes no difference to me.”

O’Sullivan’s trainer, Pascal Collins, says this fight has come too early for 26-year-old Eubank, who has lost just once in his 21 professional fights. Collins thinks his man is adequately battle-hardened and will be inspired by the desire to provide for his wife and two young daughters.

But Eubank countered: “I have fought men with families to provide for before and they’ve all lost. It doesn’t make any difference. Winning is about ability and sacrifice — his ability is not enough to beat me no matter how many kids he has to provide for.

“I’m fighting for the love of the sport, I want to inspire the British public and getting boxing on a world stage and try to perform on Saturday and eventually become world champion. That can’t be compared to any other cause or reason for why you’re fighting.”

Big-punching O’Sullivan, who was finished 15 of his 22 victories inside the distance, has promised another knockut victory but Eubank says such a tactic will play into his hands.

Eubank added: “Sullivan won’t hear the final bell.

“If it goes past eight rounds, I will be surprised. If he looks just to survive, he could go into the later rounds but if he comes in swinging and looking for a war, I will stop him early.

“It’s about mathematics. It’s about my power, my speed and the amount of punches I will throw. If he comes close to me he will be stopped.”

For the first time in his career, Eubank has had to prepare for a fight without his famous father by his side after senior, now 49, took part in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

It meant Eubank only arrived back in England on Wednesday after his time in the Australian jungle. But his son said: “I completely trust my trainers Adam Booth and Ronnie Davies who I have been working under while my father has been away.

“But it’s great to have him back. He came back on Wednesday after his time in the jungle — but he didn’t get me a present.

“He did his thing and entertained the public for a few weeks but now it’s my time to shine.”