Former world champion who fought Canelo set to make ring return against unbeaten opponent

Oscar Pick

Former world champion who fought Canelo set to make ring return against unbeaten opponent
Image credit: Getty

Former world champion Liam Smith is scheduled to return to action after having not fought since his points defeat to Aaron McKenna in April 2025.

The Liverpudlian claimed his WBO super-welterweight title in 2015, before making two defences and suffering a ninth-round stoppage defeat to Canelo Alvarez.

He then came close to becoming a two-time world champion at 154lbs, only to lose a unanimous decision in his 2018 encounter with Jaime Munguia.

But still, Smith remains one of Liverpool’s most successful boxers of all time, now looking to claim his first victory since stopping Chris Eubank Jr in four rounds.

This came in 2023, with Smith losing their rematch by 10th-round stoppage and then getting convincingly outpointed by McKenna, the now-IBF world middleweight champion, in his following outing.

But despite speculation that he was on the brink of retirement, it has now been reported that the 38-year-old will face Finland’s unbeaten Ilari Kujala on September 4.

While yet to claim a notable professional victory, Kujala does boast experience at international amateur tournaments and will, of course, occupy the home corner at the Varuboden Areena.

As for Smith, a win over ‘Loverboy’ could see him revisit negotiations for a domestic clash with Denzel Bentley, who now holds the WBO world middleweight title.

The Londoner was upgraded to full champion last month, with former belt-holder Janibek Alimkhanuly announcing a move up to 168lbs amid his year-long doping suspension.

Bentley, meanwhile, had claimed his ‘interim’ title with a seventh-round finish over Endry Saavedra in April and, as the reigning champion, is now considering his options for a maiden title defence.

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