There are few boxers in a better position to cast their verdict on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn rematch than Liam Smith.
After all, ‘Beefy’ is the only man to have fought Eubank Jr twice.
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The former WBO super welterweight champion shocked the boxing world by becoming the first, and to date only, man to knock out Eubank Jr during their inaugural encounter in January 2023.
Nine months later, Eubank Jr returned the favour with a stoppage of his own.
Despite his best efforts, Smith’s calls for a rubber match were not answered as Eubank Jr moved on to face bitter rival Benn instead.
Over 30 years after their fathers’ epic duels at Old Trafford and the NEC, Eubank Jr overcame Benn in an instant classic to extend the family tally to 2-0-1.
Both parties are currently locked in negotiations to renew their hostilities at the back end of the year after an initially planned September fight date fell through.
Provided the showdown gets over the line, Smith anticipates Eubank Jr will get his hand raised again, even if the gap narrows this time around.
“I think [Chris] looked hurt a few times in the fight. I think his balance looked questionable,” Smith told Seconds Out.
“But I think Conor was hurt a couple of times. He might tell you he wasn’t, but I think he was hurt.
“They were both out on their feet at stages through tiredness.
“It was a gruelling fight for the two of them. A better fight to watch than I thought it was gonna be.
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“I think if Chris has a fight with Conor, it’ll end up a good fight [again].
“But I think Conor’s got even more of a chance next time around, cause like I said, I think Chris is one or two fights from being done.
“His balance has gone a little bit. Probably Chris [wins again]. Size-wise, he’s too big for him, wasn’t he?
“When he wanted to be, I think he was too big for him.”
What’s the latest on the Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch?
Turki Alalshikh confirmed last month that Eubank Jr and Benn would run back their grudge match on September 20 in London.
However, the Saudi boxing chief announced the fight before Eubank Jr had agreed to his side of the deal.
Eubank Jr has made it clear that September is too tight of a turnaround for him and that a winter date suits him better.
Riyadh Season and financial backers SELA pulled their involvement from the fight after hearing of the delay.
However, Ring Magazine has since reported that both bodies are considering staging the fight in November instead.
Eubank Jr’s manager Elliot ‘Napper’ Amoakoh told talkSPORT.com on Tuesday: “Chris Eubank Jr & Nova Sport are working hard behind the scenes to get this fight done this year”
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