By Charles Brun: Liam Smith has suffered a coaching harm, so his June seventeenth rematch with Chris Eubank Jr have to be postponed. It’s unknown what the character of the harm is for the soon-to-be 35-year-old Smith.
The excellent news is that the delay will solely be a “couple of weeks,” in line with Mike Coppinger. The Smith vs. Eubank Jr rematch ought to have quickly if the harm isn’t therapeutic slowly.
Boxing followers have combined emotions about their curiosity in seeing a second battle between the 34-year-old ‘Beefy’ Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) and the career-long underachieving Eubank Jr (32-3, 23 KOs).
If Smith KOs Eubank Jr once more, which he in all probability will, it could be a very good time for him to retire. It’s unlikely Eubank Jr will as a result of he can proceed being profitable combating at dwelling within the UK, the place followers gained’t hand over on him.
Have a look at journeyman Derek Chisora is a basic instance of a marginal fighter who has carved out a very good residing regardless of frequent defeats. He’s a millionaire with 13 losses.
The distinction between Eubank Jr and Chisora is that at the least Derek tried mixing it with a small handful of world class fighters throughout his profession. We’ve but to see Eubank Jr tackle a proficient fighter at 160 or 168.
Smith already proved conclusively that he’s the superior fighter to the 33-year-old Eubank Jr along with his fourth spherical knockout final January in Manchester.
Why does there must be a rematch between them there than for money-grab functions? Smith destroyed the shell of Eubank Jr, knocking him down twice in spherical 4 and making it look straightforward.
Smith ought to intention increased after that win by going after the world champions at 160, be it in opposition to Jermall Charlo, Erislandy Lara, or Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Additionally, there’s the vacant IBF belt that Smith may very well be combating for. As an alternative of greedy for the loot, Smith ought to be extra bold, concentrating on the champions. If he needs cash, a extra compelling battle could be in opposition to Gennadiy Golovkin.
Followers could be extra interested by seeing Liam take a look at his energy in opposition to GGG than recycling a battle with Eubank Jr, who clearly isn’t a world class fighter.
Eubank Jr was by no means a very good fighter to start with, and no matter potential he had, it went down the drain along with his option to battle solely domestic-level opposition throughout his twelve-year professional profession.
Liam Smith suffered an harm whereas coaching and his June 17 rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. has been postponed, sources inform ESPN. The middleweight battle is predicted to solely be delayed a few weeks. Smith scored an upset TKO-4 victory after they met in January.
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) Might 8, 2023
