Chris Eubank Jr (32-2) will meet former world champion Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith (32-3-1) in a huge domestic clash at the AO Arena in Manchester on January 21st.
Eubank Jr will step through the ropes 11 months on from his last victory over Liam Williams back in February in a bout that produced record viewing figures on Sky Sports, as Eubank Jr dominated the Welshman over 12 rounds in Cardiff.
Smith has also squared off with Williams, but on two occasions with the first seeing Williams being pulled out and the end of the seventh due to a cut, before outpointing the Welshman over 12 rounds in a rematch.
Eubank was set to compete in a bout for family legacy in October against Conor Benn in a bout that would have re-kindled one of boxing’s biggest rivalries. However, that bout would be cancelled.
Smith comes into this bout following a bizarre homecoming victory over Hassan Mwakinyo in September. ‘Beefy’ stopped his man in the fourth round, which saw Mwakinyo touch the canvas twice in the round.
Prior to the Mwakinyo victory, Smith produced an outstanding performance to become the first man to stop Jessie Vargas.
Both fighters have tasted defeat in their careers, but only against top level opposition. Eubank Jr’s losses came at the hands of Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves, both via decision.
Smith’s first loss saw him lose his world title as he was stopped in the ninth-round against pound for pound superstar, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. ‘Beefy travelled back to the states to then take on WBO world champion Jaime Munguia but would come up short, Smith’s last loss was a controversial points decision against Magomed Kurbanov.
Both men are in looking to gate-crash the world title scene again and will meet in an all-British 50/50 clash which will be nothing short of entertaining. The pair collide at the AO Arena in Manchester on January 21st and can be watched live and exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office.