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:
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
Liam Smith out of the red corner and he gets an epic reception as he’s introduced. The undeniable crowd favourite.
Chris Eubank Jr out of the blue corner - almost universal boos. Haha! He’ll love the pantomime villain stuff.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
Almost a slight smirk on Eubank Jr’s face. He doesn’t care whether he’s seen as hero or villain.
Stands on the ring apron, looks out to the crowd and nods silently. Then vaults over the top rope into the ring - trademark Eubank Jr.
Let’s get it on! This is going to be epic
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
Erm, yes - the crowd definitely more pro Smith... Lots of boos as Eubank Jr’s name is announced although they quieten down.
I Feel Good by James Brown as Junior walks backstage to the curtain. Eyes straight ahead, his team not really saying anything and he does some shadow boxing.
As he emerges from the curtain into the arena, there are audible boos again, although cheers as well. He looks unruffled anyway, to be honest.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
This Place by Jamie Webster blares out as Smith comes through the curtain and then he completes his walk to the ring.
He looks pretty relaxed but the atmosphere is electric. The crowd seem on his side but let’s see the reaction to Junior...
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
Ringwalks underway in Manchester. Liam Smith first up. He starts his walk to Right Here, Right Now by Fatboy Slim.
Has his entourage with him backstage. One of his team - possibly one of brothers - can be heard saying: “Time to get to work, baby. Take this f***ing c**t to school.”
It’s lovely stuff.
Will size make the difference?
A lot of talk in the build-up has been about the size disparity. Eubank Jr is a natural middleweight, whereas Smith is stepping up in weight from junior-middle.
Can Junior overpower his Liverpudlian foe? He has 23 knockouts from his 32 career wins, while Smith has 19 KOs from his 32 wins.
Jamie Carragher backing his city-mate Liam Smith
Football pundit and ex-England international Jamie Carragher is a member of Liam Smith’s entourage and has been int he ring with him this week.
Carragher gives his thoughts on his fellow Liverpudlian.
All the stars in for Eubank Jr vs Smith
It’s a veritable who’s who of British sporting culture in the house tonight. England cricketer Jonny Bairstow has given his thoughts on the main event
Chris Eubank Jr wears rainbow armband at weigh-in for Liam Smith fight
Chris Eubank Jr wore a rainbow armband in support of the LGBTQ+ community at the weigh-in for his grudge fight with Liam Smith.
The move follows homophobic comments made at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday.
Sky Sports were forced to apologise after Smith taunted his rival about his private life and asked him to come out on several occasions.
And in response Eubank Jr made his way to the stage wearing both a Manchester United shirt and the rainbow armband.
After removing the football shirt, Eubank Jr made a statement by keeping the armband on to both stand on the scales and then pose head to head with Smith.
Chris Eubank Jr wears rainbow armband at weigh-in for Liam Smith fight
The British middleweight’s move comes after his rival made homophobic comments at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday
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