Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr fought twice in 2023 and following a knockout loss in the second contest, Smith has taken some time out to consider his options.
It was a loss not many people saw coming, especially after the way that former middleweight champion Smith dealt with Eubank in the first fight in January last year.
He knocked him out in quick fashion, then suffered a back injury which delayed the rematch and might well have had a say in why he ended up then getting stopped himself.
Smith has had 38 bouts since turning pro in 2008. He has lost only at the top level to the likes of Jaime Munguia and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and alongside brother Callum, who also recently took a KO loss, he is the last of the four fighting Smith brothers to be active.
Asked about what he priorities are for 2024, he told IFL TV that he is far from done yet and is targeting a third match with Chris Eubank Jr.
“Yeah, a million percent. Look I’d take less money for the Eubank fight next. If that was the case I’d pay money out of my own purse to have that fight next. You ask me what I want in boxing I’d say that.”
Though Smith is keen, he accepts Eubank seems less interested in that fight.
“He seems to have other priorities, he seems to want to take that win and run, even though it’s 1-1, I beat him quicker than he beat means all that b*****s. I think he’s happy with that. He’s never going to beat me as easy as that in his life.”
Finally, Smith said even if he can’t get that fight, he will carry on.
“But look, the rest of my career is not going to depend on Chris Eubank Jr, I’ll get myself fit and ready and there are plenty of other names who want to fight me.”
Whether Eubank can be lured back for a rubber match, time will tell.