Odel Kamara ‘Smashed It’ in Chris Eubank Jr Sparring, Earns Return Invitation
Liverpool up-and-coming amateur sensation Odel Kamara has caught the eye of the boxing world after impressing Chris Eubank Jr during a recent sparring session in Dubai.
The 21-year-old, who is already tipped for Olympic glory in 2028 before embarking on a professional career, revealed to WBN that he had been invited back to Eubank’s camp ahead of his high-stakes rematch with Conor Benn on November 15.
‘Perfect Sparring’ for Eubank
“I loved it, I smashed it as well, and he was really impressed,” explained Odel Kamara to WBN. “In fact, he’s invited me out again, as they said, basically, that I was perfect sparring to prepare for the Conor Benn fight.”
The Liverpool amateur, from the famous Solly Club in the region, recently joined Eubank Jr’s camp ahead of the British star’s return. Kamara had previously told WBN he was targeting a run at Los Angeles 2028, giving him time to develop before making the professional leap.
Eubank, known for keeping his training fresh and challenging, has been drafting in new sparring talent to push himself in camp, and Kamara’s performance immediately stood out. The prospect’s mix of skill, energy, and fearlessness in the ring impressed not only Eubank but his coaching team, earning him a return invitation.
Kamara had previously shone in his hometown at the World Championships, returning to The Solly disappointed that he hadn’t snatched the gold.
‘Just Got In There and Boxed My Socks Off’
On whether Eubank offered him any advice on his own career ambitions, Kamara was clear.
“Not really, it was mainly all business, just get in there and spar him. I was there to impress, not only him, but the people who are around him as well. Obviously, he’s training with Bomac (Brian McIntyre, Terence Crawford’s trainer), and Bomac is one of my favorite coaches of all time. So I just thought, get in there, and wasn’t thinking about getting paid or anything like that, I just thought get in there and treat it like a fight. That’s what I did, just got in there and boxed my socks off.”
Kamara added that he had studied Eubank’s previous sparring with George Groves and knew the session would be intense.
“I watched Chris sparring George Groves before they fought, and I thought he was unbelievable then, and I thought if he spars me like this, I’ve got my work cut out for me. And I thought when they fought, it was a close fight. Chris is a serious dude.”
Olympic Glory and Professional Ambitions
For Eubank, bringing in a young, hungry talent like Kamara is about more than just preparation — it’s about testing himself against someone with the potential to make a mark in the sport. Kamara’s performance in Dubai proved he can rise to the challenge and left the veteran star confident he’s worth sharing the ring with again.
Kamara’s career trajectory now is about experience, exposure, and learning from the very best — an early taste of the professional grind that could define a future star in British boxing. With Olympic aspirations firmly in his sights and a return invitation to spar with one of Britain’s elite, the young Liverpudlian is marking himself as a fighter to watch in the coming years.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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