Last week, ex-world champion Briton Liam Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) scored a beautiful early victory – as an underdog in the middleweight limit, he knocked out compatriot Chris Eubank Jr. (32-3, 23 KOs).
The loser has the right to seek immediate revenge – such a clause was spelled out in the contract. But his team is threatening to appeal the result of the battle – they believe that Smith delivered the decisive blow with his elbow.
Meanwhile, the winner
reasoning about a potential fight with the unified division champion Kazakh Gennady Golovkin (42-2-1, 37 KOs). Smith does not hide the fact that he is very interested in this option: “I myself am interested in how far I can go. I do not hide the fact that I do not plan to stay in boxing for a long time. Let’s just say that the autumn time has come in my career. And there are very few things that I would like to do before I leave the sport. And the fight with Golovkin is one of them.”
Smith dreams of a huge fight in a packed arena: “I want to take part in a fight that will be remembered for a very long time. And I want another title try. I like the idea of trying to conquer the second weight class. It’s still a story about heritage. And I liked middleweight. No need to worry about the diet, felt better than the lower division. All so full of energy and strength.
After the victory over Eubank, rumors spread about his possible duel with compatriot Conor Benn. Smith argues: “I’m definitely not going to challenge him to a fight. Moreover, I did not notice his interest in the fight. He didn’t challenge me after my victory – he started to play pranks on Eubank. What does it say? I think my next three opponents will be Eubank on Enfield (Liverpool stadium), Golovkin for the WBA and IBF titles, and then a swan song in his native Liverpool and leaving the sport as a world champion.
What do you think are Smith’s chances against Golovkin? There is Froch’s opinion. And Super Series winner Groves explained Eubank’s defeat this way: “I wouldn’t take this fight if I were him.”