Chris Eubank Jr has suffered more postponements in the space of a year than many fighters do in their entire career.
After his October 2022 bout with Conor Benn was pulled due to the latter’s failed doping test, Eubank fought domestic rival, Liam Smith, in a middleweight contest in January this year.
It was his first knockout loss, a relentless Smith hurting, dropping and stopping him in the fourth round to upset the odds and put question marks over Eubank’s future in the sport.
The 33-year-old activated his contractual rematch clause in February in an attempt to turn the tides, and it was announced for a date in June. That was pushed back to July, and subsequently postponed again without a date due to an injury on Smith’s part.
In the meantime – and as Benn goes through a process with the UK Anti-Doping Agency to determine a punishment, if any – promoter Eddie Hearn has increasingly said that their October bout will be rescheduled for September 23.
His confidence has been clear, even despite Eubank’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland, recently playing down the talk to Boxing Social.
Hearn’s plans seem to have taken another hit, as Eubank has now said the following on social media:
“Eubank vs Smith 2 at the O2 September 2nd”
Eubank vs Smith 2 at the 02 September 2nd @LiamBeefySmith#LetsDoThis#NoMoreExcuses#Revenge
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) July 14, 2023
Whilst it’s not an official announcement, it falls in line with what Smith’s promoter, Ben Shalom has said all along – that the rematch will happen.
Benn is expecting some sort of verdict this week, however, as per the Daily Mail, it may prolong the hearing process further. Whatever happens, it seems Chris Eubank Jr has made his mind up.