{"id":745397,"date":"2026-08-21T19:04:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/745397\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T19:04:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:04:09","slug":"former-world-champion-who-fought-canelo-set-to-make-ring-return-against-unbeaten-opponent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/745397\/","title":{"rendered":"Former world champion who fought Canelo set to make ring return against unbeaten opponent"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former world champion Liam Smith<\/a> is scheduled to return to action after having not fought since his points defeat to Aaron McKenna in April 2025.<\/p>\n

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

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But still, Smith remains one of Liverpool\u2019s most successful boxers of all time, now looking to claim his first victory since stopping Chris Eubank Jr in four rounds.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But despite speculation that he was on the brink of retirement, it has now been reported that the 38-year-old will face Finland\u2019s unbeaten Ilari Kujala on September 4.<\/p>\n

Liam \u2018Beefy\u2019 Smith is set to return to the ring vs Undefeated Finnish middleweight Ilari Kujala (12-0) on Friday, September 4th on an Elite Boxing event at the Varuboden Areena in Kirkkonummi, Finland. #Boxing<\/a> #LiamSmith<\/a> #Beefy<\/a> #SmithKajula<\/a> #RCB<\/a> #BoxingFightZone<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/MHeVpDxTWp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jams RedCornerBoxing (@jamsboxingchat) August 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

As for Smith, a win over \u2018Loverboy\u2019 could see him revisit negotiations for a domestic clash with Denzel Bentley<\/a>, who now holds the WBO world middleweight title.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Bentley, meanwhile, had claimed his \u2018interim\u2019 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.<\/p>\n