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Liam Smith-Chris Eubank Jr Rematch OFF For July 1

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 24th May 2023.

Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr Face Off 2

Boxing Social has learned that the rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr, previously scheduled for June 17 and postponed until July 1, will not go ahead as planned.

The middleweight contest was set to be the second instalment of a domestic middleweight rivalry following the first bout in January. Smith handed Eubank the first stoppage loss of his career, cracking a chin that was previously claimed to be uncrackable.

After some to-ing and fro-ing on the rematch clause that included a brief flirtation with the idea of facing Conor Benn overseas for mega money instead, Eubank decided to challenge Smith once more.

BOXXER and Sky Sports announced the rematch at the beginning of this month, securing the same venue – Manchester’s AO Arena – and lining up an undisputed super middleweight title challenge for Savannah Marshall against Franchon Crews-Dezurn on the undercard.

Due to an injury on Smith’s part, the fight was moved from June 17 to July 1 – although Eubank’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland, branded the situation ‘odd’ and ‘disturbing’ due to the fact that his side were apparently not provided proof of injury or consulted before the rescheduling was announced.

Sources close to one of the fighters have informed Boxing Social that the event will be postponed again, and this has been confirmed by the arena’s ticketing page, which lists Crews-Dezurn versus Marshall as the main event on July 1.

On the undercard, Tasha Jonas will defend her super welterweight titles, Zak Chelli is set to challenge for Mark Heffron’s British Super Middleweight title and rising middleweight star, Ben Whittaker, will return.

An official announcement as to the future of the Smith-Eubank rivalry is expected soon.

UPDATE

The news has now been confirmed by Sky Sports News, citing Smith’s injury as the reason for postponement, and that he will seek to revisit the plans later in the year.