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Eubank Jr vs Benn: Liam Smith returns from lengthy absence to much-changed boxing landscape
It will be over 18 months of inactivity for Liam Smith by the time he takes to the ring this Saturday, April 26, on the undercard for the mouthwatering clash between Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn.
Liverpudlian Smith looks to restart his middleweight career by facing undefeated Irishman Aaron McKenna at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The last time he was between the ropes, he was facing fierce rival Eubank Jr in a rematch, but Beefy returns to a sport that has moved on since his last bout.
Moving on from clashes with Chris Eubank Jr
One person who has definitely moved on from Liam Smith is Chris Eubank Jr, who is the joint headliner of this weekend’s hyped card.
Former super welterweight world titlist Smith has just three bouts under his belt as a middleweight – two of which came against Eubank Jr.
In January 2023, Smith stunned his more-fancied opponent with a fourth-round stoppage, before Eubank Jr flipped the script in a rematch later in the year.
With one win apiece, talk of a rubber match naturally emerged. Beefy was particularly keen, particularly as he felt that a back injury in the build-up to the rematch had limited his performance.
But any talk of a trilogy was instantly nixed by Eubank Jr’s promoter, Ben Shalom.
The BOXXER chief claimed that Beefy would have to win a world title before receiving another shot at Eubank Jr.
Smith's former opponent quickly forgot the fierce war-of-words he shared with Smith back in 2023, with Next Gen’s targets set solely on Conor Benn.
Ring rust needs to be shaken off for Liam Smith
Of course, no fighter aims to be inactive, especially for such a long period.
After recovering from the back issue that impeded his preparations for the Eubank Jr rematch, Smith had been set to face Josh Kelly on the undercard of Daniel Dubois’ bout with Anthony Joshua in September 2024.
However, with the bout a week away, Smith was forced to pull out due to a virus.
In the months following, there were no concrete plans for Smith’s next fight, although Beefy did return to Matchroom boxing to guide his next steps.
Promoter Eddie Hearn made his new charge’s ambitions clear, stating: “The desire inside him burns brighter than ever before and I’m looking forward to seeing him in some huge fights – live on the global home of boxing, DAZN – that will hopefully propel him towards his dream of becoming a world champion again.”
The title picture in middleweight division
Luckily for Smith, the landscape at the top of the middleweight division has not drastically changed during his time away from the ring.
Janibek Alimkhanuly was a year into his reign as WBO champion when Smith last fought, with the Kazak strengthening his position as number one at 160 by picking up the IBF title in October 2023.
Similarly, Erislandy Lara was in possession of the WBA belt prior to Smith’s hiatus from the sport, with the only new champion arriving in the form of Carlos Adames, who took the WBC title in June 2024.
liam smith
Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Perhaps the WBC title will be Smith’s target in the coming years, with Beefy still ranked 10th by the organisation.
Fellow Briton Hamzah Sheeraz, who failed in a recent attempt to take the WBC title off Adames, looks set to step up to super-middleweight, removing a top challenger in the division.
Aside from Alimkhanuly, Smith has stated that he feels the 160lbs division is there for the taking – but first Beefy will have to find his way through unbeaten Aaron McKenna on Saturday, April 26.
Watch three incredible fight nights in one week only on DAZN
Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and DAZN PPV is the only place to watch them all.
- April 26: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
- May 2: Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
- May 3: Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull
Arch rivals Eubank Jr and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £19.95 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.
Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN. Fight fans can purchase either fight individually for $59.99 US; £/€21.99 UK/IRE; ROW - $24.99 per PPV or take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle where both fights can be purchased for $90 US; £34.99 in the UK and €34.99 in Europe .
