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
Here we go! It’s been pretty ugly at times this week but Eubank Jr and Smith are ready to settle their differences in the ring
Richard Riakporhe def. Krzysztof Glowacki
Classy performance by Richard Riakporhe. Will be interesting to see who is next for the likeable Londoner. But now, it’s main event time.
Richard Riakporhe def. Krzysztof Glowacki
Richard Riakporhe making no bones about his next target - he wants a belt, and it may be a world title
“I’m feeling good, I’m happy to get the job done - we wanted a stoppage and we got it. I thought it would be the 3rd but it was the 4th.
“We’re on the train, next stop - all the champions! Trust me, we’re coming for you. I know about all of you lot, I think about you every day when I go to sleep and trust me, I’m coming for you.”
Richard Riakporhe def. Krzysztof Glowacki
2mins 44secs of Round 4 and the ref stopped it. Richard Riakporhe still unbeaten and moves to 16-0.
A world title fight is probably the next stop for ‘The Midnight Train’. Well deserved.
Richard Riakporhe def Krzysztof Glowacki - Round 4 STOPPAGE
That sort of came out of nowhere. Riakporhe was in control, boxing a very good fight but Glowacki didn’t look in too much trouble bar that 2nd-round shot.
However he trapped him in the corner after wobbling with a great left-right combo.
Glowacki’s hands drop, he caught a couple more blows, couldn’t defend himself in the corner and the referee made the call. Glowacki didn’t love it but it was far from an egregiously early stoppage.
Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki - Round 4
Riakporhe looking pretty disciplined here, picking his moments, probing away.
He over-reaches with one though and Glowacki eagerly throws a couple of shots just to let him know not to lean too far forward. Glowacki can do damage if he gets inside the jab.
Riakporhe goes to the body to try and slow the Pole and he follows that with some big shots to the head.
AND IT’S OVER! Riakporhe traps Glowacki in the corner, he’s defenceless for a moment and referee Howard Foster stops it!
Liam Smith looking calm
A quick word backstage with Liam Smith, who looks relaxed.
“I’m good, I’m feeling excited,” he says. “I’ll embrace it all, a lot of these fans will be here for me and I’m top of the bill tonight.”
Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki - Round 3
Replays suggest that Glowacki’s glove may have just kissed the floor when he stumbled back from that Riakporhe shot... The Brit unlucky not to be credited with a knockdown? It was a close call anyway, so no complaints with referee Howard Foster not calling it/missing it.
A tamer 3rd round where Glowacki throws a couple of searching shots that Glowacki takes the sting out of. The Brit then comes forward with a decent right at the end of the round.
Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki - Round 2
We’re still in the ‘feeling out’ stage of this fight. A couple of decent jabs from Riakporhe as he tries to pierce the guard.
Glowacki WOBBLED! He was cheating in with his front foot and got caught with a Riakporhe right that buckled his legs. He stumbled backwards slightly but half-blocked the follow-up.
Got his legs back under him after that but a good round for the Brit.
Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki - Round 1
Glowacki is a southpaw, as are a couple of the world champions in this division. That’s no coincidence. Will be a good test for Riakporhe.
Cagey opening, Riakporhe maintaining his distance but occasionally coming in off the jab. Glowacki has responded with a couple of body shots when the Brit tries that.
Glowacki caught with a right as he stepped towards Riakporhe in the corner but not much between them in the opening stanza.
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