Chris Eubank Jr says Liam Smith ’embarrassed himself’ in controversial press conference
Chris Eubank Jr will look to put his doomed clash with Conor Benn behind him when the middleweight goes up against Liam Smith in a grudge match in Manchester tonight
Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 knockouts) was set for the biggest fight of his career in October, as the son of boxing icon Eubank Sr was scheduled to face the son of Nigel Benn in London. But adverse findings in Conor Benn’s drug-test results saw the main event aborted on short notice.
Now, Eubank Jr, 33, looks to move forward with a new headline bout, taking on 34-year-old Liverpudlian Smith (32-3-1, 19 KOs) – part of a boxing family himself – in something of a grudge match, with fight week being marred by controversy.
Smith made homophobic remarks and questioned Eubank Jr’s sexuality during Thursday’s press conference, with accusations of Smith cheating on his wife being thrown in the opposite direction, before Junior then wore a rainbow armband to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community for Friday’s weigh-in. The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed that they will “consider the conduct of both boxers directly,” while British LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall has urged the governing body to show they take anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric seriously.
Follow round-by-round updates from Eubank Jr vs Smith with our live blog below:
Chris Eubank Jr def. Liam Smith – Round 4 KNOCKOUT
Just seeing the replay and it’s a huge left uppercut but Smith. Not sure how Eubank got back up from that in truth but he was gone from there.
He went down again, somehow got back up but the ref waved it off. Eubank still wanted some more but didn’t know where he was. Brutal but brilliant by Smith.
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:17
Chris Eubank Jr def. Liam Smith – Round 4 KNOCKOUT
Eubank Jr was in control of that fight and had even started the 4th round well but got caught by a snap Smith shot, forced back into the corner and down he went.
It was all over from there. He got back up and went again but was wobbly and there was no way back.
A huge bruise has appeared under Junior’s eye. He looks annoyed at the stoppage but if the ref hadn’t stopped it, Roy Jones Jr in his corner was about to throw the towel in. WOW!
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:15
Chris Eubank Jr def. Liam Smith – Round 4 KNOCKOUT
It was carnage at the end! Eubank Jr thought he was still in the fight, it had been waved off but he was on autopilot and came forward for Smith again. It needed the corners to hold him back.
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:13
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith – Round 4
Better work by Smith. AND HE FLOORS HIM!
Smith forces him back to the corner, lands a couple of shots and Eubank down.
He’s back up but wobbly. He continues but DOWN AGAIN! And now it’s stopped. Carnage as Eubank tries to continue but it’s over!
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:11
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
(PA)
(Action Images via Reuters)
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:10
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith – Round 3
Smith comes forward and tries to work on the inside but put back on his heels by a Eubank right.
Junior is jabbing and feinting, looking to set Smith up but he’s not biting. It does have him in control though and the odd shot pierces the guard. Eubank starting to control this and a decent uppercut lands.
Towards the end of the round, he lands two or three on the spin. This is Eubank’s round although Smith is taking his shots is ok so far.
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:09
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith – Round 2
Smith probably slightly busier in the opener, a couple of showier shots maybe but not a lot in it.
A bit more purpose early in the 2nd from Eubank – more snap in the jab and he then evades a couple of Smith rights and uppercuts.
The crowd getting behind Smith with every swing, even the stuff that doesn’t land clean, which, frankly, is most of it.
Some Eubank feints to try and draw Smith in but no big error from either man so far. Smith gets a bodyshot in from close.
Nothing decisive in the opening six minutes.
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:05
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
(PA)
(Action Images via Reuters)
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:02
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith – Round 1
Eubank Jr quite upright in his stance, Smith a bit lower. Both men in the orthodox stance.
Smith feinting with the front foot to try and draw the Eubank jab. An early couple of separations by the referee.
Good right by Smith – well timed as Eubank came in. Smith now marches Eubank towards the rope.
Eubank jab looking relatively sharp but Smith looking calm and composed, mixing his shots.
Smith now letting his right hand go and forces his foe back to the ropes but nothing really landing. Bringing that right over the top.
Luke Baker21 January 2023 23:01
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
The bell’s about to ring! Let’s go with this grudge middleweight clash
Luke Baker21 January 2023 22:58
Kaynak: briturkish.com
