Error code: %{errorCode}

Boxing

Liam Smith chooses preferred venue for Chris Eubank Jr. rematch

Liam Smith chooses preferred venue for Chris Eubank Jr. rematchDAZN

Liam Smith has designs on a rematch against Chris Eubank in his hometown of Liverpool.

The British pair will fight in Manchester at the AO Arena on January 21, and Smith is confident that he will emerge victorious.

"If I was taking this fight for any other reason than I think I beat Chris, I'd have took this fight in December - I'm not going to struggle to make 160lbs. I would have took this fight, took my cheque and went home," Smith told Sky Sports.

"I took this fight when I'm 100 per cent ready because I know I'll beat Chris. I'll beat Chris again in the rematch if he wants."

With a rematch clause in the contract for the fight, he has considered Anfield as the next venue.

He said of Liverpool’s home ground: "I think so because of the atmosphere and the buzz we're going to get in Manchester and I think it'll be back here again in the North West. I think Anfield's begging for a fight. So I think if it's good enough then we can take it back to Anfield," he said.

"I'm 100 per cent confident of beating Chris Eubank Jr and if anything I'll probably have the option to stay at middleweight, go back to 154lbs if [the world] titles become vacant or whatever.

"I fully intend on beating Chris. It's not going to harm any of my rankings, it's not going to move me back from the position I'm in. I think I'll beat Chris and then we'll see how the picture unfolds.

"I'll bet every penny, however much you want, I'll be heavier than Chris Eubank in the ring.

"Chris has got the body type where he finds it hard to lose [weight] and doesn't put a lot on. He's probably walking round six, seven, eight pounds over his weight and maybe gets in the ring the same. Probably puts seven, eight pounds on, maybe a little bit more from 160lbs.

"Don't be fooled. He's not [a super-middleweight]. Look at him from the side. He's the width of a cup.

"It's why I had no problems with this fight being at whatever weight it was. I know I'm big enough and solid enough myself. I know Chris knows that. We've sparred so he's not silly.

"If Chris was a 154lbs fighter and the size wasn't involved and this match was made - who wins? I think if you ask people to strip it back in that sense, I think beside the size, I do everything better than Chris, fundamentals, variety.

"I'm massively confident whatever way the fight will be that as long as I turn up fit and ready, I beat Chris Eubank."

Watch on YouTube