Former world champion Liam Smith has taken aim at Chris Eubank Jr. for his recent talk about fighting Conor Benn, who competes two divisions south at welterweight.

Smith is highly ranked at 154-pounds, but he's ready to move up to middleweight for a fight with Eubank Jr.

Eubank Jr. has been pushing for secure a big fight for several years - with Smith ready and willing to sign on the dotted line.

"If he wants a big fight, there's one right there for him now," Smith told Sky Sports. "It's a fight that people are talking about, it's a fight that people are excited about if it's made. It's a fight that can be easily, easily made. I'll sign for that fight tomorrow, I'll sign for that fight next. Anyone who can make 147-pounds shouldn't be fighting nowhere near middleweight.

"The names, the dads, whatever else but at the end of the day anybody else would get slaughtered for that fight. He's fighting a welterweight. A welterweight who's still learning his craft a little bit. Besides the names, he should be getting slaughtered for that, even calling Conor Benn out.

"I'm not begrudging anyone making money but it's a shame he made the money he made in that World [Boxing Super Series]. He should be getting forced to have big fights and he's living the high lifestyle. He should be banging the door for world titles and he's not bothered about big challenges because of the money he's made."

Smith has picked up two wins in a row, with knockouts of Anthony Fowler and former champion Jessie Vargas. Eubank has been away from the ring since February, when he picked up a dominant decision win over Liam Williams, who went down three times in the fight. Smith holds two wins over Williams.