CHRIS Eubank Junior is hoping a win tonight will be the launch pad for him to step out of his father’s shadow.

Eubank Jr takes on Russian Dmitry Chudinov at the O2 Arena in London for the interim World Boxing Association middleweight title in a bid to bag the first major belt of his career.

The 25-year-old has always had to face comparisons with his father Chris Eubank Senior, and the fact the pair were sat together at the pre-fight press conference on Wednesday did little to alleviate the notion.

But Eubank Jr, who was born in Hove, believes his first title could free him from the shackles.

He said: “I will always be compared to my father. We have the same name, we’re in the same business. If people want to say that is me fighting in his shadow, well fair enough, as we are doing the same thing.

“I have got a lot to live up to because he has done all those great things and I am trying to do the same thing.

“But as soon as I get a title, I have done that and I can build off that.”

Eubank Snr was a world champion for more than five years, undefeated in his first ten years as a professional and remained undefeated at middleweight in the 1990s.

Early on in his career, Eubank Jr was advised by his father not to talk to the press, but after his win against Lithuanian Kirilas Psonko in November 2011, he opened up to The Argus. The former Brighton College student said after that fight: “I am looking to become a world champion one day.

“It’s not going to be any time soon as you have to work your way up in the ranks and I understand that. But that’s my main goal, to be a world middleweight champion.”

Asked whether having such a successful father was a help or hindrance, he added: “I see it as a lot of pressure and a lot to live up to but I am the type of fighter who is good under pressure.

“The fact my father is an ex-world champion makes me want to work harder to prove myself.”

EUBANK JUNIOR: TALE OF THE TAPE

Full name: Christopher Livingstone Eubank Jr

Weight category: Middleweight

Height: 5ft 10in (1.78m)

Stance: Orthodox

Nickname: Next Gen

Date of birth: September 18, 1989

Record: 19 fights, 18 wins (13 by knock out) and one loss

Rank: Sixth-best UK middleweight

Amateur career: Fought in six amateur bouts after his debut in 2007 before turning pro

Professional debut: Defeated Lithuanian Kirilas Psonko with a technical knockout in the fourth round in November 2011

Bits and pieces: Moved to USA aged 16 to gain dual citizenship to help boxing career.