By Shaun Brown

Chris Eubank Jr and Spike O’Sullivan traded verbal blows ahead of their fight on Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena.

The pair, who have sparred over social media in recent years, meet in a WBA World middleweight title final eliminator and both men met the media today at Canary Wharf in the capital to have their say before fight night.

Ronnie Davies, former trainer to Eubank Jr’s father ‘English’, is part of Junior's team that also involves coach Adam Booth and the former WBO World super middleweight champion himself.

“Whatever is put in front of Jr - he rises to the challenge. This won't go the distance and Jr will stop him,” said the veteran corner man.

With Eubank’s explosive fighting style and O’Sullivan’s renowned power fireworks are expected no matter how long it lasts. The Irishman’s team headed by trainer Paschal Collins said his man’s arsenal will be the deciding factor.

 “Spike's power will be a factor in this - when he hits, people get knocked out. I'm excited as I can see what will happen!”

Adam Booth, former trainer to David Haye and George Groves, could be the most important part of Team Eubank’s quest to win world honours and talked up Eubank’s “ferocious attacks”.

“Training has gone as well as I hoped for,” said Booth. “You can't prepare for the ferocious attacks he will bring in this fight.”

‘English’, as he likes to be called now, took time out from his son’s training camp to participate in the British reality show I’m A Celebrity Get Me out Of Here – a show where celebrities are put into an Australian jungle to compete in an array of tasks to survive. The programme is built on unsettling the contestants with fear and ‘English’ says he sees that trait in O’Sullivan ahead of the fight.

“I saw a little clip of the two of them facing off and Junior said he could smell fear and I can sense the same thing,” he said.

“He’s not the dangerous knockout artist he thinks he is,” said Junior who refuses to call O’Sullivan by his nickname of Spike and instead of his forename Gary.

“Nothing concerns me about Gary apart from his moustache.”

“We will see who is afraid on Saturday night - when I knock you out! This right hand is going to smash you up on Saturday!” declared O’Sullivan.

The two men had appeared on Sky Sports’ ‘The Gloves Are Off’ television show where each man sits facing one another, with Johnny Nelson acting as host and mediator, to discuss each other and the fight.

“I saw lots of mental weakness in Spike on The Gloves Are Off. He needs to stick to his guns - and take the beating on Sat,” said Eubank Jr.

With promoter Eddie Hearn clearly excited about this match-up, O’Sullivan told the room “It’s punishment time” and proceeded to stand up and blow his opponent a kiss.

Chris Eubank Jr. v Spike O'Sullivan is part of a Sky Box Office Pay-Per-View attraction headlined by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com