Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Smith's rematch on 17th June 'Axed due to injury' with a new target date revealed

LIAM SMITH has been forced to postpone his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr due to injury, reports say.

The British rivals were due to meet again on June 17 at the Manchester Arena, the scene of their first pay-per-view fight.

But according to ESPN, Smith has withdrawn and the rematch could be rescheduled for July 1.

Promoters Boxxer and PPV broadcaster Sky Sports are yet to confirm the news.

Former WBO light-middleweight champion Smith stunned Eubank in January with a shock fourth-round stoppage win.

Smith – who moved up to middleweight – twice had the son of a legend down before the fight was waved off.

Eubank, 33, exercised his rematch clause but was also still in talks to reschedule a grudge match with family rival Conor Benn, 26.

The pair were due to meet in a 157lb catchweight clash in October, almost 30 years after their fathers’ famous rematch.

But Benn failed two pre-fight drug tests – which saw the blockbuster scrapped – and has been fighting to clear his name since.

The welterweight – who has protested his innocence – does not have a British Boxing Board of Control licence currently.

It meant Eubank would have to fight Benn abroad for the bitter bout to be revived.

So he instead opted to rematch Smith, 34, while Benn begins the process of fighting to get his career back on track.

Eubank was both knocked down and out for the first time and looks to avenge the result with his career on the line.