Liam Smith has let Chris Eubank Jr know he will have to put in the best performance of his career to compete with him in Manchester next year.
It was announced this week that the pair will go head-to-head in a clash on January 21 that many fans are calling a 50/50 fight. Smith, who scored an impressive goal against Jesse Vargas this year and a not so impressive compared to Hassan Mwakinyotold Sports sky that it was the perfect fight for him.
“If he is at 60% for a never-before match against Conor Benn, then he will need to be at 160% to be ready to take on me, the former world champion, in front of thousands of our fans. I live in the North-West.
“For Chris, this is a high risk, low reward. For me, it’s the perfect platform to show that I’ll rule the world again in 2023. He needs to prepare for the toughest night of his career.”
When the boxers crossed the line, it’s been almost a year since Eubank overtook Liam Williams in Cardiff. Of course, that was not the plan. The son of the boxing legend, Chris, will face off against Conor Benn, son of Nigel, in October.
The intriguing clash was seen as a major event, but proceedings were halted the week of the fight when it was revealed that Benn had tested positive for the banned substance, Clomiphene. Smith’s 60% line is a reference to the number Eubank said he would have to take to beat the younger and smaller man in Benn.
It has been a difficult period in the sport for Eubank Jr, now 33 years old. Smith is 34 years old and both men have made it clear that they want to fight for the world title before it’s all over.
At that point, the news of the rematch clause will be disappointing for many fans – especially since there are no titles. Ben Shalom of advertising agency BOXXER says iFL TV that if Smith wins the middleweight game, he will have his second at Anfield in his hometown.
It is unclear whether the clause in the contract works both ways or if it is only activated when Eubank loses.
