Chris Eubank Jr confirmed his class, congratulating Liam Smith after dropping a bitterly disappointing fourth spherical knockout on Saturday evening, letting him know afterward that there can be a rematch between them.
Eubank Jr intends on activating the rematch clause to power the 34-year-old Smith to battle him once more in order that he can attempt to avenge his embarrassing two-knockdown, fourth spherical knockout loss on the AO Area in Manchester, England.
Smith (32-3-1, 20 KOs) was speaking afterward about wanting a battle with Canelo Alvarez, who knocked him out in 9 rounds in 2016. Whether or not Smith was critical or not is unclear as a result of he was smiling when he mentioned it, however it doesn’t matter.
Figuring out how Canelo likes the concept of combating British fighters, he’d most likely take Smith up on the supply if he already wasn’t booked up for 2023, with a battle in opposition to John Ryder in Could and Dmitry Bivol in September.
The one probability Liam Smith has of getting a Canelo battle is that if he chooses to squeeze in a 3rd battle this yr in December. Smith would nonetheless must beat Eubank Jr of their rematch for him to have the potential of being thought of by Canelo for a battle in December.
In the intervening time, Smith is tied to a second battle with Eubank Jr (32-3, 23 KOs) because of the rematch clause he has of their contract.
Congratulations to Liam tonight, good lil shot you caught me with there my boy. Felt like I might of saved going however referee is in cost & I respect his choice. We’ll get it on once more quickly 😎 #EubankSmith
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) January 22, 2023
Eubank Jr would possibly win the rematch with Smith as a result of he’s not going to make the identical mistake he did within the first battle by backing up in opposition to the ropes and permitting Liam to have a stationary goal.
When Eubank Jr was within the heart of the ring and transferring round, he was completely dominating Smith, making it appear like youngster’s play. It was solely when he positioned himself together with his again in opposition to the ropes within the fourth spherical that he bumped into hassle.
So long as Eubank Jr stays on the transfer and doesn’t stand nonetheless, he has an excellent shot at profitable the rematch with Smith, proving that his loss was the results of a careless mistake.
Canelo efficiently fought off the ropes in opposition to Smith of their battle in September 2016, however he had a greater chin and a superior inside recreation than Eubank Jr.
When Smith tried to unload on Canelo when he was in opposition to the ropes, the Mexican star made him pay by hurting him to the physique and the pinnacle with laborious photographs.
We didn’t see that tonight from Eubank Jr. He was a sitting duck, and he ought to have recognized higher than to attempt to battle Smith from that space of the ring.