Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr went back and forth at a frosty first press conference for their fight next year, with Smith questioning as to why the ostensibly confident Eubank needed the inclusion of a rematch clause.
Eubank stated he would only have to be at 50% to defeat Smith – 10% lower than the figure he quoted for his doomed date with Conor Benn.
However, ‘Beefy’ was quick to notice the inconsistencies with Eubank’s words and did not hesitate to make his feelings known in front of the boxing press this week.
“Why is there a rematch clause in this fight, but none for the Conor Benn fight? If you only have to be at 50% to beat me but 60% for him, then why do you need a rematch clause?”
"Why IS there a rematch clause?!" πΆβπ«οΈ@Boxxer | @WassermanBoxing | #EubankJrSmithpic.twitter.com/fH7GEyO1uH
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 29, 2022
Eubank, who was joined at the top table by promoter Kalle Sauerland, was reluctant to give Smith any answer of substances and repeatedly told the Liverpudlian, “It’s just business.”
A meeting between the pair has said to have been in the offing for a while, and it was thought the fight would be made earlier this year when Smith decided to leave Matchroom for Boxxer / Sky Sports, the platform on which Eubank fights.
However, Smith’s plans were scuppered when Eubank agreed to fight Conor Benn, and Smith was left to settle with a bizarre fight against Tanzanian opponent Hassan Mwakinyo.
The falling through of Eubank vs Benn due to the latter’s failed drug test resurrected talks of the fight and a deal was agreed in the last few weeks for a fight that will see Smith move up to middleweight for the first time in his career.
Eubank vs Smith will lock horns at the AO Arena in Manchester on January 21st.