BY HANS THEMISTODE May 09, 2023 Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Few, if any, were expecting Liam Smith to walk through Chris Eubank Jr.
Originally, the two locked horns on January 21st, at the Manchester Arena. Eubank, before confidently strolling his way to the ring, believed that he had bigger fish to fry.
Unafraid of what Smith brought to the table, Eubank openly admitted that in addition to training halfheartedly, his eating habits would be atrocious.
Sporting a KFC stamped bomber jacket and eating buckets of fried chicken, while hilarious, didn’t quite prepare the 33-year-old for the painful night that was ahead of him.
Normally known for his granite chin, Smith hit his man right on the soft spot. With Eubank on wobbly legs in the fourth, Smith eventually got his man out of there.
Stunned by his defeat, Eubank (32-3, 23 KOs) would enact his immediate rematch clause.
The pair were set to meet up for their sequel on June 17th, but Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) suffered a training injury that will delay the fight by a few weeks. While he isn’t overlooking the adjustments that Eubank will ultimately make, Smith believes that he’ll inflict even more punishment this time around.
As long as everything goes according to plan, the former WBO 154-pound titlist already has his eyes set on facing another well-respected fellow Brit soon after.
“If it makes sense,” said Smith during a recent interview to Pro Boxing Fans when asked if he would face Billy Joe Saunders. Usually coming across as both pugnacious and aloof, Saunders, in recent years, has remained out of the public eye since his eighth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Canelo Alvarez in 2021.
Ostensibly on the verge of a comeback. Saunders, who captured world titles at both 154 and 160 pounds, could opt to move up in weight should he make his return. Although there’s interest from Smith’s side of the table in a potential clash, he won’t be willing to acquiesce to Saunders’ weight demands if he deems them outrageous.
“If it’s not like a drastic weight jump too much for me then I’ll fully take it.”
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