Liam Smith is chasing a decisive third struggle with Chris Eubank Jr as he bids to show discuss of his imminent retirement is futile.
Having been the massive underdog for his or her preliminary conflict in January final yr, Smith triggered an infinite upset with a devastating fourth spherical knockout on the Manchester Area.
Nevertheless, Eubank Jr turned issues round in sensational trend in September’s rematch, dominating the competition earlier than securing the tenth spherical stoppage to banish his demons.
After experiencing such a humbling loss, the Liverpudlian is set to as soon as once more come out on prime ought to there be a trilogy struggle.
“I think it’s probably obvious what I want next. I’d love a third fight with Eubank if he doesn’t get the Conor Benn fight or whatever it might be,” he informed Sky Sports activities.
Following such a subdued displaying in his most up-to-date bout, hypothesis round his future within the sport has adopted the 35-year-old.
Smith believes such retirement discuss is redundant although, claiming: “The identical folks saying I am completed after Eubank II have been saying I am the perfect middleweight on this planet after Eubank I. How can I be completed in seven months with no fights in between?
“If I had a good camp and boxed well then lost like that, I’d have retired instantly in the ring. Me in fighting shape, I’d take on anyone in the world.”
Smith struggled to make weight after recovering from a major again harm within the lead-up to their second contest and he believes that contributed to his crushing defeat within the Eubank Jr rematch.
The previous world champion has subsequently vowed by no means to make the identical mistake once more, stating: “My battle was the scales and my condition rather than Eubank. I never had one thought process about Chris. That’s brutally honest.
“My largest battle was making weight in that timeframe. I had 42lbs to lose in seven weeks. When have I ever gone right into a struggle and thrown that many punches? One factor I’ve at all times been good for is a 12-round struggle with a superb engine.
“I couldn’t do nothing, I couldn’t move my feet, I also got a grade two tear in my ankle in that fight which added insult to my injuries as well which is why I’ve had a good layoff.
“I’ve bought extra fireplace in my stomach due to the final efficiency. I am harm free now, I’ve had a superb layoff. It is all the way down to me to knuckle down and get myself again in fine condition, show a number of folks incorrect and show I’ve nonetheless bought rather a lot left to provide.
“What I want next is just to be fit and injury free. I’ll fight on my own terms this time.”
Ought to the trilogy fail to materialise, Smith too has a number of choices he might pursue.
Subsequent up could possibly be extremely rated Kazakh Janibek Alimkhanuly, who at the moment holds the WBO and IBF titles at middleweight.
“Top Rank asked me would I fight Janibek. That was before Christmas. I’d fight Janibek tomorrow, but I must be ready on my own terms. I’m not taking a fight for money,” he mentioned.
“Eubank is a neater struggle than Janibek. I am not going to face right here and inform you lies. Janibek is a troublesome struggle for anyone. Janibek is the perfect middleweight on this planet bar none. Janibek is an excellent struggle.
“Eubank won’t beat Janibek. I’ve had some good offers over the past week, very good offers. I’m feeling in a very good position again.
“First issues first, I have to get myself able to struggle. I am removed from able to struggle. Now my accidents are healed with no stress and no strain of constructing weight.”
Smith moved up from super-welter to middleweight, although he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of returning to his old weight class, with some big fights to be made there too.
“I can do 154lbs again,” he famous. “I just wouldn’t do 154 next because of the layoff I’ve had.”
Whether or not he will get a 3rd struggle with Eubank or not, Smith, who held the WBO championship at 154lbs, believes he’ll win one other world title earlier than his profession is over.
“[Magomed] Kurbanov is fighting [Israil] Madrimov for the WBA world title. You’re telling me I can’t beat Kurbanov in a rematch or Madrimov? I still fancy the Tim Tszyu fight [for the WBO super-welterweight title], a great fighter who’s getting better and better. I still fancy that fight.”