This year, highly ranked British Middleweights clash for the second time in an intriguing rematch at the Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom. Not necessarily top-tier on the international market, Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. is still a top-draw bout. While Liam Smith held the WBO Light Middleweight title from 2015 to 2016, Chris Eubank Jr. is a two-time IBO Super-Middleweight and former British Middleweight champ.
BOXING: Middleweight
Venue: Manchester Arena, UK
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 02.09.2023. 10.00
Liam Smith
Liverpool-born Liam Smith came from a family of boxers. The 35-year-old turned pro in 2018 after an impressive amateur career. He held the WBO Light middleweight title from 2015 to 2016. Picking up the vacant title in 2015 at Machester, Liam Smith will make two successful title defenses before running into Canelo Álvarez in September 2016. Smith lost his first fight as a professional when he was knocked down following a vicious left hook to the body in round nine. In 2018, Smith tried to regain the Light middleweight title against Jaime Munguia but lost in a fight that went the distance. His third loss was a unanimous decision to Magomed Kurbanov in 2021 in Russia. He has held multiple Light middleweight championships at the regional level, including the British and Commonwealth titles between 2012 and 2015.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 35
- Height: 5' 9"
- Reach: 69"
- Record: 33-3-1 (Draw)
- Chris Eubank Jr.
Chris Eubank Jr.
The British pugilist is the offspring of Chris Eubank, a distinguished two-weight world boxing champion. Chris Eubanks Jr.'s accolades include the WBA Interim Middleweight title twice between 2015 and 2021 and the IBO Super Middleweight crown twice between 2017 and 2019. Additionally, he clinched the British Middleweight championship in 2016. The 33-year-old first lost to compatriot Billy Joe Saunders in 2014 via a split decision. Last January, Eubank Jr. faltered against Liam Smith, who stopped him via a fourth-round TKO. Smith was able to lure him into the corner in the third round and rained great damage. Even though Eubanks Jr. survived to the bell, the referee had to step in during the fourth round to stop Junior from taking more punishment. Chris Eubank Jr. has mostly fought fellow British fighters.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 35
- Height: 5' 11"
- Reach: 73"
- Record: 32-3
Betting Odds
Liam Smith is the favorite going into the bout. On Bet9ja, he is at 1.67 odds to win, with Eubanks Jr. priced at 2.37. Over 9.5 is available at 1.64 odds on 1XBET, while 2.12 is the price of the under. Both fighters to win by decision is priced at 4.00 odds on Bet365, with a unanimous decision by Smith at 5.00.
