Chris Eubank Jr targeting ‘day of revenge’ as Liam Smith rematch announced after Conor Benn talks postponed
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Updated 25/07/2023 at 17:09 GMT
Another fiery encounter between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith is set for September 2 at the AO Arena in Manchester. It is surely a must-win fight for Eubank Jr after a dramatic four-round defeat to Smith in January. The build-up to the last fight was clouded by controversy and ill-tempered remarks from both fighters, but it will be time to do the talking inside the ring in little over six weeks.
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Chris Eubank Jr wants his "day of revenge" when he faces Liam Smith in a middleweight rematch on September 2.
The fight between the British duo takes place at the AO Arena in Manchester, with Eubank Jr hoping to erase memories of a sobering defeat to Smith in January.
Smith stopped Eubank Jr in four rounds in their first fight, after a build-up that had plenty of bad blood from both camps.
Controversy shrouded the build-up to the first fight, with Smith forced to apologise after directing a series of homophobic taunts to Eubank Jr.
Meanwhile, Smith was subjected to jibes about his upbringing in Liverpool and derogatory remarks about his marriage.
Both fighters were subsequently fined for their behaviour after being found guilty of misconduct by the British Boxing Board of Control.
With all this in mind, Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom claims the rivalry is "one of the most heated in British boxing."
Following the fight, Eubank Jr activated the rematch clause, but also resumed talks to reschedule his fight with Conor Benn.
But with Benn's drug testing situation still unresolved and a UKAD case still undecided, that has been put on the back burner for now to focus on the Smith rematch.
The next fight with Smith was originally scheduled to take place on July 1, but Smith was forced to pull out after suffering an injury in training.
Smith is eager to inflict another damaging defeat on Eubanks Jr, after becoming the first man to knock out the 33-year-old in his career.
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Liam Smith celebrates after winning the first fight.
Image credit: Getty Images
After the fight was announced, he said: “I’m glad that the date is set now and we can look forward to getting rid of this itch that needs scratching.
“I’m fully healed up now, injury-free, and I’m looking forward to finishing Chris Eubank Jr’s career on September 2.”
Eubank Jr is now aiming for redemption after that sobering night in the first fight, hoping to right the wrongs of the past.
He added: “No more excuses, no more postponements. Smith can’t run forever. September 2 is the day of my revenge.”
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