Kell Brook will have some vested interest in the outcome of the upcoming middleweight rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr.
Liverpool’s Smith and Brighton’s Eubank are expected to go at it again later this summer in a reprise of their performance in January at AO Arena in Manchester, England. Smith upset Eubank in that fight, stopping the normally durable contender in four rounds. It was the first time Eubank had ever suffered a knockout loss.
Brook, who announced his retirement last year following his sixth-round stoppage of rival Amir Khan, has recently hinted at making a return to the sport, calling himself “semi-retired.”
Ben Shalom, the head of Boxxer, the promotional company that has exclusive ties with the broadcasting giant Sky, seems to believe that if Brook gloves up again, it will be against the winner of Smith-Eubank II. Boxxer promoted Brook’s last fight, against Khan.
“I think so,” Shalom told SecondsOut.com when asked if he expects to work with Brook again soon. “I think a lot can ride on what happens with Smith-Eubank. I think he’ll probably be looking at that fight as a natural creation of his next opponent. Let’s not look beyond that fight.”
Shalom defended the Smith-Eubank rematch as equally intriguing as the first.
“I’m hoping that it will be announced imminently,” Shalom said. “I think it’s a fight—the same people as I say that said that Smith had no chance are the same people saying Eubank has no chance. Eubank had to go through two very, very grueling weight cuts in his camps. I think he’s a special fighter. I think it’s a fight that fans want to see. When you’ve got a fighter that knows it’s an absolute must-win.
“Eubank was on cloud nine for a long time. One of the most popular fighters in the UK, making a lot of money. It came as a shellshock to him, particularly in that fourth round [against Smith]. He’ll be dangerous in that fight. I’d still make Liam the favorite, but he’ll be dangerous. I think we’ll see that. I think Kell will be watching that fight.”