By Jake Donovan

Nick Blackwell and Chris Eubank Jr. have spent the past few weeks jawing at one another through the press. That level of hostility spilled over into the pre-fight weigh-in ahead of their British middleweight title bout Saturday evening at Wembley SSE Arena in London, England.

Blackwell (19-3-1, 8KOs) comes in as the underdog despite serving as the defending titlist. The 25-year old is unbeaten in his last seven starts following a rough patch that saw losses to Billy Joe Saunders and Max Bursak, who happen to be scheduled to face one another next month, for Saundes' first defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title.

Among Blackwell's current streak is a 7th round knockout of John Ryder last May, claiming the vacant British middleweight belt. Two defenses followed, scoring a 6th round stoppage of previously unbeaten Damon Jones and - in his most recent performance last October - a 12-round nod over Jack Arnfield.

Eubank Jr. (21-1, 16KOs) - the son of famed former two-division titlist Chris Eubank - comes in riding a three-fight win streak following his lone career loss.

The second-generation middleweight came up just short in a Nov. '14 title eliminator versus Saunders, yet another bout in his career that became a grudge match. If nothing else, Eubank Jr. captured his father's penchant for turning ring rivals into bitter enemies long before the opening bell, but is still feeling his way around in the pro ranks.

Significant career promise surfaced in his 2015 run, scoring three knockout wins. His first fight following his narrow loss to Saunders was perhaps his most impressive showing to date, scoring a 12th round stoppage of previously unbeaten Fedor Chudinov for an interim version of the World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight title.

Just one defense followed, a 2nd round stoppage of Tony Jeter before vacating the belt. The feat was followed by an impressive and one-sided 7th round stoppage over the respectable Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan last December in London.

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the middleweight action plays out Saturday evening in London.

STAFF PREDICTIONS: NICK BLACKWELL vs. CHRIS EUBANK JR.

Zachary Alapi (Eubank Jr. TKO9): Eubank Jr. may be brash and obnoxious at times, but he's proven to be both a capable boxer and brawler. He has a certain toughness and ruggedness about him, and that'll make the difference as he wears Blackwell down. Eubank Jr. is the harder hitter and better athlete, and he'll eventually overwhelm an outgunned Blackwell.

Miguel Assuncao (Eubank Jr. Dec.): Despite becoming mandatory challenger to Danny Jacobs' WBA title with his win over Spike O'Sullivan in December, Chris Eubank Jr. surprisingly opted to fight Nick Blackwell for the British title. Blackwell's high punch output and impressive stamina helped him to win the belt against John Ryder and he's also become known for competitive sparring sessions against the likes of George Groves and interestingly upcoming opponent Eubank Jr. But gym stories don't mean much under the lights of a professional bout. Eubank Jr. has shown his ability to deal with a variety of styles and when he steps on the gas has looked way beyond domestic level. I expect Blackwell's engine to keep him in the fight, but Eubank Jr.'s uppercuts will be the telling shots on a way to a points win.

Rene Ricardo Bernal (Eubank Jr. Dec.): Eubank should secure a unanimous decision win over Blackwell but wouldn't be surprised if he scores the stoppage win late in the fight.

Jake Donovan (Eubank Jr. TKO10): It’s hard enough to carry your own legacy when coming in as the son to a domestic legend. That Eubank Jr. carries his father’s rub-the-wrong-way personality generates even more hate towards his own career. From where I sit, though, the young lad can fight. Call it arrogance, smugness, whatever you wish – he takes his craft seriously and the fact that he views Blackwell as sparring partner material tells me he’s going to treat him as such once the bell sounds. It won’t be in the sense of overlooking him, rather going all in to prove to (from his view, remind) the boxing world his level of superiority.

Cliff Rold (Eubank Jr. Dec.): The son is rising. Eubank looks more like a real title threat all the time and that should continue here.

Shawn Smith (Eubank Jr. KO9): I think highly of Blackwell as a fighter, but he's not quite on Eubank's level. The power Eubank brings to the table should break down Blackwell over a few rounds, leading to a late round stoppage.

Alexey Sukachev (Eubank Jr. Dec.): I like what I have seen of Eubank Jr. lately. His level of opposition isn't very high but so far has lived up to and works 70% of his potential. The same cannot be said of Blackwell, who looks good yet fights at the edge of his abilities. He will give Eubank his best fight but diligence and pressure won't be enough against elusiveness and technique of the second-generation boxer.

Totals:

Chris Eubank Jr. – 7

Nick Blackwell – 0

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox