Eubank Jr is expected to trigger his rematch clause against Smith

Chris Eubank Jr is expected to trigger his rematch clause against Liam Smith – with ‘a bout at Anfield in May a possibility’ – as promoter Ben Shalom insists the fighter’s ‘pride is HURT’ after suffering a knockout defeat in Manchester last month

  • Chris Eubank Jr has given ‘all indications’ that he will activate his rematch clause
  • The 33-year-old’s entourage have no more than two weeks to trigger the clause 
  • Smith, however, is more focused on securing a bout against Gennady Golovkin 

Chris Eubank Jr has given ‘all indications’ that he will trigger his rematch clause against Liam Smith after suffering a fourth-round knockout defeat at Manchester Arena last month.

BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom has revealed that a rematch ‘at Anfield in May’ is a genuine possibility, with Eubank Jr ‘really wanting to fight again’.

Smith, however, has made no secret of his desire to face off against two-time unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, having emphatically seen off his opponent in just four rounds last month.

In the wake of Eubank Jr’s defeat, his representatives weighed up whether to launch an appeal to the British Boxing Board of Control, alleging that Smith had made contact with his elbow during the bout. 

Shalom has indicated that the 33-year-old’s team have no more than a fortnight to activate the rematch clause, which seems very likely at this stage according to the promoter.

Chris Eubank Jr has given ‘all indications’ he will trigger his rematch clause against Liam Smith

Smith fired a vicious blow to win by knockout in the fourth round versus Eubank Jr last month

He told Sky Sports: ‘We’re hearing all indications that they are going to trigger. We know Chris really wants to fight again. His pride is hurt, he definitely wants a rematch from what I hear and ultimately Liam wants the biggest names and the big nights.

‘He wants Golovkin. It’s in Eubank’s hands and we can’t really look past that until the time has elapsed and we expect him to want to rematch. 

‘I can’t see a better option for Eubank Jr right now. We’ll expect it formally in writing from Wasserman.’

With Smith being an avid Liverpool supporter, Anfield has been put forward as a possible host stadium, although the rematch would have to be organised for the end of the football season in May.

Promoter Ben Shalom (L) feels Anfield would a potential host stadium for the rematch in May

Shalom continued:  ‘If we can make sure the event takes place near enough to the last game of the season which I think is on the weekend of [May] 21, then there is a possibility. If we were able to get Anfield it would be the end of May.

‘For Liam, he wants to look at the Golovkins now. [Kell Brook], that’s still a big name for Liam Smith. He feels like he’s dealt with Eubank.

‘He wants three more fights [in his career]. He feels he’s in the best shape of his life, he feels he’s boxing better than ever, he really wants to take advantage of the form that he’s in.

‘He wants to fight for a world title again. He’ll deal with Eubank if he has to. Kell Brook, Golovkin, those are the sort of names he wants. It’s Golovkin, Brook, Eubank rematch, I think those are the three obvious ones.’

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