CWMBRAN’S Gary Lockett believes British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell can break Chris Eubank Jnr’s heart if he boxes on the front foot at the SSE Arena in Wembley tonight.

There has been no love lost between the two fighters in the lead up to the bout with both voicing their dislike for each other.

Blackwell’s trainer Lockett has also got involved, describing Eubank Jnr and his dad, two-time former world champion Chris Eubank, as “not the most well-liked people in the sport”.

Former WBU world middleweight king Lockett got so frustrated when the Eubank camp were over an hour late getting to Thursday’s press conference in London that he left before they arrived.

Blackwell, 25, could own the Lonsdale Belt outright if he defends his title for a third time tonight, and Lockett feels he has got the tools to do just that.

“Nick is a great guy and he has been a great addition to the gym, he gets on well with everyone,” he said.

“He’s tough, relentless, he has got very high fitness, and he has got a great engine and punch power.

“Eubank likes to fight in spurts and if Nick can stay on the front foot and keep making him work then he’ll break his heart.

“Nick is always in great shape and very self-motivated. He looks like a body builder and there is not one ounce of fat on him.

“This is a great chance for him and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he wins the fight.

“It’s a 50-50 fight and I’m backing my man to do it.”

Blackwell won the vacant middleweight crown last May with a seventh-round stoppage of John Ryder.

He successfully defended it against Damon Jones and then Jack Arnfield, although Lockett wasn’t too happy with the way Blackwell performed in any of those fights.

“I’ve had him for his three British title fights but I’ve not been pleased with any of those performances,” he added. “He’s not done what he has been told to do.

“If he fights the way he should fight he will beat Eubank.

“As I said, Eubank likes to fight on the back foot and let punches go in flurries then rest.

“Nick can take advantage of that because Eubank is leaving himself open to counters.”