Liam Williams has explained why he hates Chris Eubank Jr so much and says it all started during a visit to Adam Booth's gym 'when he was training David Haye'.

Back then, Williams, 29, and Eubank Jr, 32, were brought in as sparring partners to help George Groves prepare for his grudge match against Carl Froch.

But it's safe to say they didn't exactly get along as the young bucks butted heads with one another to show the other who's boss.

Now they will face off for the first time as professionals at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday night.

Williams added that he didn't like the look of Eubank 'from the moment I set eyes on him' - and admitted that sparks flew almost instantly as their personalities clashed in and out of the ring.

The Welsh boxer, who unsuccessfully challenged Demetrius Andrade for the WBO middleweight title in 2021, also says he knew right from the start that the pair were never going to be the best of friends.

Asked to explain the origins of their feud, Williams told talkSPORT: "It goes back a long time.

READ MORE: Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams - Date, Card, UK Start Time, Ring Walks, Tickets, Venue, Live Stream, Odds And More

“I spent a little bit of time with him at Adam Booth’s gym back when he was training David Haye.

“I went and did a little bit of sparring with him and George Groves.

“Just from there really we clashed.

“From the moment I set eyes on him, I didn’t like him and I knew that I never would like him.”

Boxing - Chris Eubank Jr v Liam Williams Press Conference - City Hall, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - February 3, 2022 Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams face off during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

And unlike KSI versus Logan Paul, it seems the hatred is genuine.

When pressed further on whether the beef was in manufactured at all in any way, Williams replied: “No definitely not.

“I don’t need to sell the fight because the fight is sold anyway, the fight sells itself.

“It’s obviously gonna [sic] be a great match-up, it’s gonna be full of action.

“The place is sold out already, so I don’t need to sell the fight.

“The dislike between myself and Chris is real.

“I don’t say I hate many people, but I do hate him. I can’t stand the guy.”

MORE: Chris Eubank Jr vows to 'punish' Liam Williams 'until he gets knocked out or he quits'