Press release from Elite Boxing:
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 Norwegian Jamshid Nazari (11-4) at super welterweight.