Liam Smith is under the strong impression that he will be entering a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr.
Liverpool’s Smith upset the odds in January, when he knocked out countryman and heavy favorite Eubank in the fourth round of their middleweight bout at AO Arena in Manchester, England.
The fight came about after Eubank’s previous commitment fell through: Eubank was set to take on Conor Benn in a 157-pound catchweight grudge match in October, but the fight was cancelled after Benn was discovered to have tested positive twice (in two separate tests) for the same performance-enhancing drug, clomifene.
After the loss to Smith, Eubank activated his rematch clause. However, reports circulated that Eubank was also considering an option to rekindle negotiations with Benn for a fight to take place June 3 in Abu Dhabi. Benn cannot legally box in his native England because the British Boxing Board of Control is still investigating his positive drug tests. It is understood that Benn has refused to cooperate with the Board.
But now, according to Smith, Eubank has turned his focus to a rematch with him instead.
“The rematch seems to be back on now and if that’s the case, then that’s the route that we’ll go,” Smith told iD Boxing.
“My next fight will be in June 99.99,” Smith added. “I’m fighting June, regardless if it’s Chris or anybody. If it’s Chris, I beat him last time and I’ll beat him again.”
Smith believes that the British Boxing Board of Control dissuaded Eubank from pursuing a fight with Benn. Even though Abu Dhabi is outside the jurisdiction of the Board, the Board’s head, Robert Smith, publicly indicated that Eubank Jr., who is under license, would need clearance from the Board to proceed with the Benn fight. Smith also said Benn’s trainer, Tony Sims, would need approval from the Board as well.
“They tried their best to make the Conor Benn fight, that’s a fact,” Smith said. “I think the only reason that fell through is because the Boxing Board of Control, they stayed firm on it. I feel Conor wanted it, [Benn promoter] Eddie [Hearn] wanted it, Chris wanted it.
“I just think when the Board stood strongly… that that won’t be happening, blah, blah, blah. I think that’s the reason that fight’s not happening.”