Boxxer founder and CEO Ben Shalom says Liam Smith is back to full fitness ahead of a potential rescheduled rematch against Chris Eubank Jr later this summer after the former world champion produced a knockout victory when the two met in Manchester earlier this year
Friday 30 June 2023 15:50, UK
Liam Smith is '100 per cent' fit for a rescheduled rematch against Chris Eubank Jr, which is set to be staged later this summer, says promoter Ben Shalom.
The 34-year-old beat Eubank Jr with a devastating fourth-round knockout finish in January before the pair's rematch, scheduled to headline Saturday's show in Manchester, was postponed due to a minor injury sustained by the Liverpudlian.
"We've had the news on Liam Smith this week, really good news about his fitness, he's 100 per cent fit for a date we were looking at," Shalom told Sky Sports.
"We've notified Wasserman that we believe Liam is 100 per cent."
For Eubank Jr, it beckons as a shot at redemption and another defining night in his career after his title aspirations were dealt a major blow in their initial meeting earlier this year.
"I believe Chris wants a rematch, I believe he wants to fight Liam Smith, he's talked about revenge, there is a reason he activated the rematch clause," said Shalom.
"I'm convinced that he wants to fight as much as Liam does, hopefully the fans get to watch an unbelievable fight coming soon."
Shalom added that the fight is being aimed for 'late summer' as Smith seeks to deliver another defeat to Eubank Jr, then switch his attention towards achieving a second world title triumph.
Smith had reigned as the WBO light-middleweight champion from 2015 to 2016 before suffering the first defeat of his professional career to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
The manner of his victory of Eubank Jr, who had entered the first fight proclaiming to be at '60 per cent', proved a stark reminder of his continued title credentials in the latter years of his career.
"Really excited because Liam Smith is in a stage of his career now where it would have been so difficult for him to have an injury," Shalom continued.
"He's getting better and better and better and can fight for a world title for the second time and become a two-time world champion.
"To get an injury at this stage in his career was heartbreaking and difficult, not just for the Eubank fight. The next 12 months could be really career-defining for Liam Smith and the big big fights and the big nights to come.
"Eubank looks like will be the next one and then there are other huge fights out there. I know he wants to fight for a world title again."
Smith has not shied from predicting a repeat outcome upon facing Eubank Jr for a second time, with lucrative names and blockbuster nights on the agenda beyond any potential rematch.
"He likes the Eubank fight, he likes the [Kell] Brook fight, he wants the big nights," said Shalom.
"There are some big big names in his division, but ultimately he wants to fight for a world title again and I believe in the next 12 months he will fight for a world title again."
