Repeat Or Revenge - What Will It Be?

In most cases, 10 minutes of ring action will almost never warrant a rematch. Yet, even after January’s demolition job by Liam Smith on Chris Eubank Jr, here we stand. 

For Eubank, this opportunity is a blessing vouchsafed by rival Smith. You can call elbow, devalue your trainers’ towel, and even persevere with the fight once waved off.  

You were irrefutably dropped and stopped. 

However, we are now only days away from the rematch and it has collected a buzz that not many a British clash can. 

But, for a while, I was struggling to put my finger on why a fight with such a conclusive result the first time round, is being admired by the ever-joyless community that makes up boxing fans. 

Then I landed on it. Storylines. 

Let’s start with Liam Smith, whose self-assurance will be at an all-time high on Saturday night. If you can do it once, you can do it again. Maybe even earlier. 

But, whilst his chest is puffed, his back is creaking. Time waits for no man, and the weight of expectation will be his lightest load against a revengeful Eubank. 

Let’s remember, this fight was scheduled for the start of July, until the injury to Smith forced the postponement. 

Now to Chris Eubank Jr, who was quite frankly demeaned seven months ago. 

In that fourth round, in his pursuit of dignity, Eubank’s perseverance meant he left with the worst of injuries - that of his pride. Call it bravery, call it naivety, call it whatever you want. 

In a sport so derisive, in front of an audience so merciless, Eubank doddered across the ring, akin to that of a drunkard. 

But that to me, epitomises the story of Eubank. He is the definition of variability. His lack of fixed pattern has made for an ever-fascinating journey. He is ‘must watch’ television.  

So, when you find yourself struggling for consistency, who better to turn to than Brian MacIntyre, the man responsible for unlocking the excellence in none other than P4P king Terence Crawford. 

It may prove to be a stroke of genius. 

Even so, whilst it is the storylines that hook us fans to the fight, it is the fight itself that will determine whether we remember this feud fondly. 

Whatever the past, best believe one thing, these two will be coming out shooting. 

Remember, patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. 

Oscar Bevis