Liam Smith is in limbo following his stunning stoppage victory over Chris Eubank Jr in January.
The Liverpool man was the first to beat Eubank inside the distance after a build up in which a lot of focus was placed on him having one of the best chins in the business.
As per the contract, Eubank had a rematch clause available to him with a loss, and he did activate it not long after.
It’s been radio silence since then, though, and Smith is beginning to get frustrated. The fan-favourite, who beat Eubank at middleweight, told Pro Boxing Fans that he was taking control in the coming days.
“I’m not 100% sure. I just know he’s activated his rematch clause, but I do know he’s trying to make the Conor Benn fight also. So over the next few days I’ll get a confirmation of what I’m doing next – not what Chris is doing next or Conor’s doing next.”
Eubank Jr is Benn’s ideal opponent for his ring return on June 3. The pair were due to fight last October before Benn was found to have tested positive for a banned substance and the event was pulled. Eubank took the Smith fight in January afterwards.
So if not, Eubank, who? Smith has a few names in mind that are of particular interest
“If it’s not Chris what I’ll have to do then… I want Golovkin, Billy Joe [Saunders], Brook, or a world title fight. They’re the names that get me out of bed at 34 years of age, get the blood flowing.”
Billy Joe Saunders and Kell Brook are both said to be making comebacks soon, and it’s known that both are currently in training.
The world title shot isn’t far away. Smith was previously champion at super welterweight, but seemed comfortable against Eubank at the 160 limit.
Gennady Golovkin seems to be at a crossroads at the end of a stellar career, recently giving up two of his world titles rather than serving his mandatory obligations. His team say he will fight again, he just hasn’t decided when or against who.
The WBO ordered their middelweight champion, Janibek Alimkhauly, to defend his title against the Brit, and that’s understood to still be an option is his team decide not to go for a big-money domestic clash.