Eubank Jr vs Smith LIVE: Fight updates, result and reaction as Smith scores stunning KO
Smith floored Eubank Jr with a huge uppercut in the 4th round and the fight was waved off soon after in Manchester
Liam Smith produced a devastating fourth-round stoppage to beat Chris Eubank Jr in their middleweight grudge clash in Manchester.
With the build-up overshadowed by unpleasant exchanges during Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference, there was little love lost between the fighters as they walked out to a packed AO Arena.
Smith, a former WBO light-middleweight champion with 32 wins from 36 fights, made the better start and although Eubank Jr recovered, he was put down twice in the fourth before the referee stepped in to end the contest.
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.
Relive Eubank Jr vs Smith with our live blog below:
Liam Smith topples Chris Eubank Jr with brutal knockdown to end the hate
Steve Bunce was ringside:
It took Liam Smith 69 seconds of round four to turn his fight with Chris Eubank Jr upside down on Saturday in Manchester.
It was a truly savage end to a brutal campaign outside the ropes and one of the most shocking finishes seen in a British ring. It was unexpected and quite brilliant.
Smith trapped Eubank Jr in his own corner, connected six or seven times in a bloody blur and down slid Eubank Jr. He beat the count, tottered, rolled, nearly fell without a touch and was allowed to continue. There was mayhem at ringside and in the packed arena. He was soon down again, sprawling desperately to a sad heap when it was waved off. It was over, the hate was finished and the referee, Victor Laughlin, stopped the fight: Liam Smith winner by fourth round stoppage; it was a result that the bookies placed at 28-1, which might even be generous.
Read more:
Liam Smith topples Chris Eubank Jr with brutal knockdown to end the hate
It was an unforgettable fight and a reminder of just what boxing can deliver on nights when fairy tales and nightmares collide
Liam Smith stuns Chris Eubank Jr with brutal fourth-round KO
Liam Smith produced a devastating fourth-round stoppage to beat Chris Eubank Jr in their middleweight grudge clash in Manchester.
With the build-up overshadowed by unpleasant exchanges during Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference, there was little love lost between the fighters as they walked out to a packed AO Arena.
Smith, a former WBO light-middleweight champion with 32 wins from 36 fights, made the better start and although Eubank Jr recovered, he was put down twice in the fourth before the referee stepped in to end the contest.
Full fight report:
Liam Smith stuns Chris Eubank Jr with brutal fourth-round KO
There had been unpleasant exchanges during the final pre-fight press conference but Smith decisively won the grudge match
Will there be a rematch?
Talk unsurprisingly turned to a rematch. There was a rematch clause in the contract if Eubank Jr lost, so it will be up to his team.
The atmosphere was electric, so there would definitely be an appetite to do this again. Maybe at Anfield? Liam Smith did say any rematch would be on his terms.
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr
Both men agreed that some of the build-up crossed a line. Nice words from Eubank Jr to the man who just beat him
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr
It was an ill-tempered build-up to the fight - it got quite ugly in the pre-match press conference but there was respect between the fighters in the ring at the end.
Good to see.
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr
Here’s the aftermath to that unbelievable knockout
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr
Liam Smith has been discussing his victory.
“I don’t think it was one shot that finished him, it was an accumulation.
“I told you all week, don’t be surprised - they say he’s got a great chin but I’ve got a great chin.”
“I was getting used to him. He’s got very long arms and was good at using those and pulling away.
“When he was hurt, I knew I couldn’t let him off the hook. With his fitness and conditioning, he would recover quickly.
“Don’t be kidded that he can’t be hurt because he’s got a good chin. If you hit him in the right spot, he can be got.”
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr
1min 9secs of Round 4 was when the stoppage came. Your winner by TKO, officially announced now is Liam Smith! What a performance
Liam Smith def. Chris Eubank Jr - 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.
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