Liam Smith is waiting for a decision on his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr that has been muddied by the potential of Conor Benn’s return.
The Liverpool man upset the odds by stopping Eubank in four rounds back in January, and a month later Eubank activated his contractual rematch clause.
An injury to Smith in training camp caused the initial date to be pushed back to July 1 before being postponed again with a target of September.
In the midst of that news, Conor Benn’s team restarted talks with Eubank to stage their fight that was originally meant for October last year but pulled due to news breaking that Benn had failed a doping test.
Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is confident that he’ll be able to stage a fight between his man and Eubank on September 23, perhaps even in the UK, and it was reported recently that the terms were agreed.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Smith revealed he was still training for Eubank, and was unfazed by the talk.
“I just laugh at it. It’s nothing to do with me really. I can only control my own destiny. I was getting ready for the fight with Chris, I got injured, I’m over my injury now and back in the gym. I’m gonna look for the fight in September. If Chris signs then Chris signs, if not we’ll see.”
Whilst Smith said he wanted to get the rematch out of the way and that it was his focus, he’s found himself in a good spot.
After all, it was his win, so the onus is on Eubank to really push for a second fight if he wants an attempt to avenge that. Should he not, Smith has options – and he named Kell Brook and Benn amongst them.
“Look, anybody. You’ve got Brook, you’ve got Conor Benn. The four [super welterweight] world titles might become vacant now Charlo’s fighting Canelo. I can still make that. I’m in a very good position.
First and foremost I’m tied into the Chris rematch. If he chooses to go elsewhere, then the world’s my oyster. And if he chooses to fight me, I’ll wipe the floor with him again.”
If Eubank doesn’t face Smith then he’ll be in with Benn, so the idea of Smith facing the 26-year-old won’t be likely until 2024.
More news on who will face who this September should arrive soon, with Benn’s UK Anti-Doping verdict expected imminently.