The age of the participants will bother serious boxing followers. Smith does not dispute those objections. His argument rests on the drawing power both men built through years of major domestic events.
“You have to be realistic about all these things. People are going to watch it, and it doesn’t always suit the hardcore boxing fans,” Frank Smith said to The Stomping Ground. “Hardcore boxing fans might go, ‘They’re not in their prime,’ which they’re not. You can’t hide from that.”
Smith discussed the proposed fight during an interview with Oscar Bevis for The Stomping Ground. He viewed Eubank against Brook as an attraction that would find buyers despite offering little sporting relevance.
“It’s a product, and people will buy into that product. I don’t know if it happens, but people would buy it. They’re two big names.”
Brook turns 41 next year, having already completed the retirement cycle once. His victory over Khan provided the satisfying ending his career needed after stoppage defeats against Gennadiy Golovkin, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford.
Returning to face Eubank would be a financial decision rather than an attempt to rejoin the leading contenders. The natural size difference also leaves Brook with a far harder task than the familiar names suggest.
Eubank retains enough clout to headline a British pay-per-view. Another bout against a retired fighter would reinforce criticism that he has spent too much of his career pursuing famous names instead of the strongest available opposition.
Smith believes interest from the wider public would overcome those objections.
“Just because the hardcore fans go, ‘Well, it’s not what I want,’ there are a lot of people out there that want to see it. That’s the reality.”
He may be correct. Eubank–Brook offers nostalgia, curiosity and two recognizable names. That combination can generate money without providing a meaningful contest for either man’s career.
