It has been a rollercoaster year for former WBO junior middleweight champion, Liam Smith.
Smith started the year in sensational fashion, stopping Chris Eubank Jnr in four rounds on Sky Sports Box Office and finally receiving the widespread acclaim that evaded him throughout an exciting, no-nonsense career. Eight months later, an under par Smith turned in an insipid performance and lost the rematch with Eubank Jnr by tenth round stoppage.
Smith has let the dust settle on the defeat and has begun to plot out a route back to prominence in 2024.
“My contract is over with Boxxer. I’ve no contract with Boxxer at the moment,” the former WBO junior middleweight champion told Secondsout.
“Me and my manager have sat and spoken. My manager has spoken with Matchroom. We’ll just see who can offer me what when the time’s right. I’ve been asked when I’ll be ready, I’ve said give me a date in March and I’ll be there.”
The build up to the much delayed return with Eubank was a nightmare for the Liverpudlian. He struggled with a serious back injury which curtailed his training and made it tough for him to to make the 160lb weight limit. On the night, Smith turned in the flattest performance of his career. Given an injury free camp, Smith believes that weight won’t limit his future options. In fact, he is willing to compete across three divisions for the right opportunities.
“154, 160. I think I can do either as long as I’m fit and in shape. I think that the problem wasn’t really the weight last time. It was more the camp and making the weight and the timeframe that I had if that makes sense? I’ll take 160lbs or 154lbs,” Smith said before throwing out a little teaser. “Or I’ll take Billy Joe at 168lbs if he fancies it. I’m easy.”
Former WBO super middleweight champion, Billy Joe Saunders, has been out of the ring since losing to Canelo Alvarez in May 2021. Saunders boxed well but was worn down and stopped in eight rounds, suffering a fractured eye socket in the process. Over the past few months the 34 year old has started to make serious noises about a return to action. If Saunders does come back, he is likely to want to the biggest fights possible and may be tempted by the idea of boxing Smith, a recognizable name who has spent his career campaigning at lower weights.
“I’ve spoken with Billy and Billy’s manager,” Smith said. “It’s just as case of when Billy will be back. I think Billy’s in the gym now trying to get fit. I think he’s hoping to fight in December. I’m not sure he’s going to but when he’s back, it’ll be great to have him back and I’ll be open for that fight as I’m sure a lot of people will.”