Photo By Sami Lommi/Photolies
Finnish middleweight prospect Ilari “Loverboy” Kujala (12-0, 3 KOs) will
face former WBO world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith in Kujala’s hometown
of Kirkkonummi, Finland, on Friday, 4 September. The bout is scheduled
for 10 rounds at a 73.9 kg weight limit.
Kujala, who defeated notable opponents such as Ireland’s Michael
O’Reilly during his amateur career, believes he can overcome the
experienced Smith, who has shared the ring with Canelo Álvarez, Jaime
Munguía and Chris Eubank Jr.
The winner of Smith vs. Kujala is expected to earn a place in the WBO
middleweight world rankings.
“This is the chance of a lifetime. Fighting a legend like Liam Smith in
my hometown is a dream come true, and I will make the most of it. I will
beat Liam Smith this Friday,” Kujala says.
Denzel Bentley has said he will defend his WBO title against Smith in
November. But after this Friday, Liam Smith will no longer be in line
for that world title fight — Ilari Kujala will be.
The Smith–Kujala card will be streamed live at www.mystaze.com and
www.eliteboxing.fi.
Kujala is coached by former European middleweight champion Amin
Asikainen. Both are from Kirkkonummi, the southern Finnish town where
the fight will take place at Varuboden Arena.
Asikainen will have a busy night, with two more of his fighters also
appearing on the card. Cruiserweight Keni Aliu (9-1) will face Norway’s
Andreas Skarvold Iversen (6-1), while super middleweight Anton Embulaev
(10-1) meets American Jeremy Cullors (9-3). Both bouts are scheduled for
eight rounds.
In another eight-round Scandinavian clash, Finland’s Rami El Jahiri
(6-2-1) will face Denmark’s Jamshid Nazari (11-4) at super welterweight.
