Chris Eubank Jr will take on Liam Smith in an intriguing all-British middleweight bout on January 21 in Manchester.
The 33-year-old was scheduled to fight Conor Benn in a 157-pound clash on October 8, however, the bout was called off at the last minute following his opponent’s positive drug test.
Benn twice tested positive for clomiphene so the BBBofC banned the fight from moving forward.
Promoters Eddie Hearn, who represents Benn, and Kalle Sauerland, who represents Eubank Jr, initially announced that the event was postponed.
However, there is still no clear timeline as to when the disciplinary process and investigation surrounding the positive tests will take place.
We know that UKAD and the WBC are investigating.
As a result, Eubank Jr is moving on.
He has instead signed to take on Smith in a fight that is sure to draw attention in the months to come.
Smith has shared the ring with Canelo Alvarez before, but Eubank Jr said, “Has he been out there with any good fighters? Yes. Are they at my level? No.
“He’s a competent fighter, but class beats skill any day of the week.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to show that I’m twice as much of a fighter as he is as well as those he’s faced.”
Smith added, “He made a big mistake fighting me.
“Every time he’s gone to elite level he’s failed. I’m elite and he will fall again on January 21 in Manchester.