Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II | Sky PPV - 2 September 2023

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ben Shalom reveals when Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr rematch will be announced

It seems an announcement for a rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr is imminent according to promoter Ben Shalom.

In January earlier this year, Smith stopped Eubank Jr for the first time in his career with a stunning fourth round knockout in Manchester.

Immediately after the fight, Eubank Jr tweeted: “Congratulations to Liam tonight, nice lil shot you caught me with there my boy.

“Felt like I could of kept going but referee is in charge & I respect his decision. We’ll get it on again soon.”

Then on February 14, Eubank Jr sent Smith a Valentines day message confirming that he would be activating the rematch clause in his contract.

Eubank Jr posted a picture of himself holding a rose, alongside the caption: “This morning I activated the rematch clause via my lawyers & sent to my promoters Wasserman. Happy Valentines Day Liam Smith.”

Since then, however, there had been no further update, until Thursday afternoon when promoter Shalom told talkSPORT: “I believe it will be announced next week.

“Both fighters are ready for it, there’s a few details to go, but we’ve got a big schedule next week and Smith vs Eubank Jr 2 will be part of that and I’m very much looking forward to it. We will get that rematch.”

This comes after earlier this week, Smith warned that he would be moving on to other fights if an announcement wasn’t made soon.

“I don’t really care when, but I just want an announcement soon. I’m not sitting being left in the lurch,” Smith told iD Boxing.

“I want an announcement soon, I want it done soon and there was a time frame on it when it needs to be done by and we’re coming very, very close to that now.

“So, if it’s not signed, sealed and delivered in the next couple of days then I’m going to look elsewhere for options.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Smith-Eubank Rematch: Shalom Aims To Finalize in Coming Days

"I think Liam just wants to get on with it now and announce the fight. Obviously Chris activated his rematch, we've sent the date that we're thinking about to [his promoter] Wasserman already. We're waiting on them to speak to Chris. We think that date's going to be okay for all parties," Shalom told Sky Sports.

"It's such a big fight for Eubank Jr. If he loses that really is tough. But if he wins there are some huge fights for him again and he's going to make a huge amount of money and I think that's why he's so keen to have the rematch. Because the rewards are just so great," Shalom said.

"The same people who said it was absolutely impossible for Liam Smith to knock Eubank Jr out are now saying it's absolutely impossible for Eubank to beat Liam Smith and it's a formality. Nothing's a formality in boxing."

[keithmoonhangover]

Smith-Eubank Rematch: Shalom Aims To Finalize in Coming Days

"I think Liam just wants to get on with it now and announce the fight. Obviously Chris activated his rematch, we've sent the date that we're thinking about to [his promoter] Wasserman already. We're waiting on them to speak to Chris. We think that date's going to be okay for all parties," Shalom told Sky Sports.

"It's such a big fight for Eubank Jr. If he loses that really is tough. But if he wins there are some huge fights for him again and he's going to make a huge amount of money and I think that's why he's so keen to have the rematch. Because the rewards are just so great," Shalom said.

"The same people who said it was absolutely impossible for Liam Smith to knock Eubank Jr out are now saying it's absolutely impossible for Eubank to beat Liam Smith and it's a formality. Nothing's a formality in boxing."

I can see me losing another £20 to Dioufy on the rematch. WAR EUBANK!!

[Dioufy]

Smith-Eubank Rematch: Shalom Aims To Finalize in Coming Days

"I think Liam just wants to get on with it now and announce the fight. Obviously Chris activated his rematch, we've sent the date that we're thinking about to [his promoter] Wasserman already. We're waiting on them to speak to Chris. We think that date's going to be okay for all parties," Shalom told Sky Sports.

"It's such a big fight for Eubank Jr. If he loses that really is tough. But if he wins there are some huge fights for him again and he's going to make a huge amount of money and I think that's why he's so keen to have the rematch. Because the rewards are just so great," Shalom said.

"The same people who said it was absolutely impossible for Liam Smith to knock Eubank Jr out are now saying it's absolutely impossible for Eubank to beat Liam Smith and it's a formality. Nothing's a formality in boxing."

I can see me losing another £20 to Dioufy on the rematch. WAR EUBANK!!

Hell yeah, baby. I’ll take that bet.

[keithmoonhangover]

Smith-Eubank Rematch: Shalom Aims To Finalize in Coming Days

"I think Liam just wants to get on with it now and announce the fight. Obviously Chris activated his rematch, we've sent the date that we're thinking about to [his promoter] Wasserman already. We're waiting on them to speak to Chris. We think that date's going to be okay for all parties," Shalom told Sky Sports.

"It's such a big fight for Eubank Jr. If he loses that really is tough. But if he wins there are some huge fights for him again and he's going to make a huge amount of money and I think that's why he's so keen to have the rematch. Because the rewards are just so great," Shalom said.

"The same people who said it was absolutely impossible for Liam Smith to knock Eubank Jr out are now saying it's absolutely impossible for Eubank to beat Liam Smith and it's a formality. Nothing's a formality in boxing."

I can see me losing another £20 to Dioufy on the rematch. WAR EUBANK!!

Hell yeah, baby. I’ll take that bet.

This time it's personal.

[Dioufy]

I can see me losing another £20 to Dioufy on the rematch. WAR EUBANK!!

Hell yeah, baby. I’ll take that bet.

This time it's personal.

Spent my 20 on hookers from Lancashire. I look forward to more good times because of you.

[keithmoonhangover]

Hell yeah, baby. I’ll take that bet.

This time it's personal.

Spent my 20 on hookers from Lancashire. I look forward to more good times because of you.

You'll be the one whoring your arse after the rematch.

[KiwiRider]

Hell yeah, baby. I’ll take that bet.

This time it's personal.

Spent my 20 on hookers from Lancashire. I look forward to more good times because of you.

How many can you get for £20?

Asking for a friend

[maverick23]

Liam did a few interviews voicing his displeasure at things yesterday. Said Boxxer have a week or so to sort things or he’ll look elsewhere and said he’s being messed about.

Said that Boxxer have an option on his next fight but needs to be sorted quickly. Seems unhappy that the Eubank rematch isn’t sorted and that he missed out on the Janibek fight.

[mickey1975]

Liam did a few interviews voicing his displeasure at things yesterday. Said Boxxer have a week or so to sort things or he’ll look elsewhere and said he’s being messed about.

Said that Boxxer have an option on his next fight but needs to be sorted quickly. Seems unhappy that the Eubank rematch isn’t sorted and that he missed out on the Janibek fight.

It's Eddie messing around! Just like he was being mischevious throwing AJ's name out there for 'twice the money' for Fury.

[maverick23]

Liam did a few interviews voicing his displeasure at things yesterday. Said Boxxer have a week or so to sort things or he’ll look elsewhere and said he’s being messed about.

Said that Boxxer have an option on his next fight but needs to be sorted quickly. Seems unhappy that the Eubank rematch isn’t sorted and that he missed out on the Janibek fight.

It's Eddie messing around! Just like he was being mischevious throwing AJ's name out there for 'twice the money' for Fury.

How do you think he’s messing about? Eubank said he was exercising the rematch 5 weeks ago yet the fight isn’t signed yet. Eddie will still try and make the Benn fight for Eubank which I get but surely there’s a time limit for Boxxer/Sauerland to get the fight done and dusted and the terms would be fixed already?!

[Glass Joe]

Liam Smith vs Tim Tszyu would be great.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The rags are saying Benn-Eubank in June in UAE.

Smith may as well go for Jani

[gregregegg]

Liam Smith vs Tim Tszyu would be great.

Be a real nice waiting fight for Tim, although there shouldent be that much waiting left should there?? , Smith would have to come to Aus though, cant see why Timmy would risk going to england while waiting for undisputed.

[joshj909]

Middleweight doesn't leave him with many options. He's not even ranked by the IBF or WBA. WBO and IBF are tied up. The big names of GGG, Munguia and Eubank are tied up. That leaves the WBC if he wants to make the most of his current popularity. Charlo is apparently looking for a "credible" opponent in June/July before facing Adames later in the year... Otherwise, he needs to just pick someone ranked well enough to secure a good ranking in time for mandatories. Connor Coyle?

[coneye]

Liam Smith vs Tim Tszyu would be great.

Be a real nice waiting fight for Tim, although there shouldent be that much waiting left should there?? , Smith would have to come to Aus though, cant see why Timmy would risk going to england while waiting for undisputed.

Tim would do best to stay right away from Smith , , no where near worth the risk , not until he's got the Charlo fight out the way anyway

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ben Shalom says Kell Brook would be great fight for Liam Smith, but expects rematch with Chris Eubank Jr

We’ve heard reports last month that Chris Eubank Jr had formally activated a rematch clause to face Liam Smith, but with little movement on that front in the time since Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom tells Sky Sports that while he’s still expecting the Eubank Jr sequel to happen next, a fight with Kell Brook is another enticing prospect for Smith.

“It would be perfect for both of them because Kell wants to fight at 154lbs and Liam wants to fight at 154lbs. It’s the perfect way. There’s no messing around and it would be a massive fight. But Kell’s got good options. I’m just happy that he’s around, he’s fit, he’s healthy, ready for the big fights.”

As Shalom relates, Brook is in a much better place as he continues training after announcing his retirement on the heels of his big win over Amir Khan, settling that long outstanding feud. At one recent point photos of Brook supposedly snorting a white substance leaked online, causing some to question his well-being in a post-fighting life.

“He sees what happened as one of the best things that ever happened to him. It put so much scrutiny on him that [he thought] I need to sort my life out.”

So while Brook could potentially be a solid Plan B for Smith, Shalom says they’re currently planning to honor their contractual obligations for Smith vs Eubank Jr 2 until it becomes clear that it can or won’t happen. That doesn’t mean that he’s not ironing out even more potential options for Smith, though, including early talks to have him face Tim Tszyu.

[Ruthless-RKO]

“We’ve activated the rematch clause [with Smith] subject to the contract,” Sauerland said. “Is it not signed? It’s not announced, let’s put it that way. That’s business on our side. If the contract’s not right, the contract’s not right.

“What I want is for Jr. to put things right to Smith and to fight Benn. How that works, time will tell, and it won’t be long. He wants to fight in June—currently [that’s] Smith. I can categorically say we have not had one formal proposal from Matchroom’s side yet. We have had a discussion, but we are aligned right now to fight Smith at this moment in time.”

“Chris is a fighter, so he concentrates on what’s actually on the table,” Sauerland added. “What’s on the table right now is Liam Smith. So that’s what he’s focused on.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Twinkle Toes]

Smith confirmed it yesterday.

Another PPV though?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Liam Smith Suggests Rematch with Chris Eubank Is Back On, Says He is Fighting In June ‘Regardless’

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.”

[mickey1975]

Sam Jones doesn't think so.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Liam smith apologised.. after months.

Said he is not a homophobic.

[MasterG]

Any idea when tickets go on sale?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Any idea when tickets go on sale?

Fight's not confirmed yet.