Chris Eubank Jr’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland, has indicated that the rematch with Liam Smith will happen, but admits that it may not be next.
The Brighton fighter was handed his first stoppage loss by Liam Smith in Manchester in the UK’s first big domestic show of the calendar year.
Eubank was downed by a flurry of uppercuts and hooks, and was completely out on his feet when he managed to beat the count. A second knockdown ended the contest in the fourth.
Despite Eubank’s post-fight sentiments that he would get back in the ring with Smith ‘soon’, Sauerland has said that the decision has not been made, and that options are being considered. He explained to Sky Sports.
“I’ve told Ben [Shalom] we will be using the full time to consider our options. We haven’t had much communication on it and we certainly haven’t given any indication that we’re going to be exercising the rematch clause. Is it an interesting option? Absolutely. But is it the best option? We’ve got a few more weeks to think.
“Rushed decisions in boxing are the worst decisions. It’s all about when it makes sense. Ultimately it has to be the right move for Junior. He’s also at a pivotal stage of his career. Yes it’s a setback, it’s a massive setback when you lose a big fight. But is it a setback that he can come back from? Absolutely. That’s what’s exciting about boxing.”
“It would be different it had been a one-sided beat down. It wasn’t. Chris was up a round on my card.
What Smith feels about this is unclear, but, at 34-years-old, the Liverpool native is looking to get busy with becoming a two-time world champion, and may not be willing to wait around for Eubank in the future.
It’s also worth thinking about where exactly Eubank would go and who he would pursue as an opponent if not Smith.
Sauerland finished his musings with a nod to the theory that Smith landed an elbow during his final flurry of punches that helped Eubank on the way to the canvas.
“Can he do it again? I’d like to see that. A lot of people would like to see that. The rematch is a fight that will happen. The question is when it will happen.
There are several options open to Junior. It will absolutely happen in time. I’m sure Liam wants the rematch to show that it wasn’t just a lucky punch. Or a lucky elbow, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!”
With only a couple of weeks left until the rematch clause expires, more news is expected soon.