Liverpool boxer Liam Smith is set to face Chris Eubank Jnr at the start of next year in Manchester.

The all-British showdown at the AO Arena is set to kick off the new year with a bang as the middleweight rivals clash in what will be a mouth-watering contest.

Former world champion Smith, who has a record of 32 wins and 3 losses, enters the ring in flying form after picking up impressive wins over fellow Liverpudlian, Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas and Hassan Mwakinyo – albeit the victory over the Tanzanian has left an unsavoury taste in the mouth of the 34-year-old, due to the nature of the win in front of a home crowd at the M&S Bank Arena back in September.

Smith was left frustrated after the fight was brought to an unconventional end when Mwakinyo went down in the fourth round in strange fashion after putting on a strong start. Referee, Victor Loughlin called off the fight, just as Smith was getting into his stride.

The Scouser who goes by the nickname of ‘Beefy’ knows victory over the Brighton fighter will set him well on his way to becoming a world champion for a second time.

Eubank, the former IBO world champion hasn’t been beaten since tasted defeat the decision loss to George Groves back in 2018. Smith says he sees weaknesses to exploit. Eubank has yet to be knocked out in his professional boxing career.

With a record of 32 wins and 2 losses, Eubank Junior, is the son of boxing legend, Chris Eubank and he is chomping at the bit for his return to the ring. His last outing was back in February after a flawless decision win over Liam Williams in Cardiff – who ‘Beefy’ has beaten twice already, with the two losses in 2017.

The 33-year-old was set to fight Conor Benn in a catchweight bout at 157Ibs in October, but the eagerly anticipated grudge match was cancelled because of a drug scandal, Benn twice testing positive for clomifene just three days before the fight.

Eubank will no doubt be hoping to take out his frustrations on Smith when the two square up in January. It will be hard to ignore the quality of the Kirkdale man, who is arguably in the best form of his career.

Both fighters will be looking to put on a statement performance when the pair clash in Manchester on January 21.

 

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