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:
WATCH: Ekow Essuman’s ringwalk
Here was Essuman’s ringwalk ahead of this fight. Showmanship
Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo - Round 2
Kongo working the jab early in the 2nd. Essuman getting very low and trying to work his way under that extended left arm.
Most of the action in the centre of the ring as they circle. Kongo not being too predictable, even as he works the jab - sometimes single jab, sometimes double, sometimes a feint or a follow with the hook.
Kongo the busier fighter, although Essuman unruffled with his high guard, so it will depend what the judges like but Essuman comes on to the front foot a couple of times in the final minute, landing a couple of jabs.
Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo - Round 1
Interesting opening round. Essuman landed a good right hand over the top, which was the best punch of the round but Kongo took it well.
Both men feeling each other out.
Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo
Both men in the ring and we’re getting underway shortly.
Chris ‘2Slick’ Kongo is 14-1, his only defeat coming at the hands of Michael McKinson back in March 2021. Since then, he’s hit back with a couple of wins over Kelvin Dotel and Sebastian Formella.
The champion is Eko ‘The Engine’ Essuman - 18-0 and he won the British and Commonwealth title from Chris Jenkins back in July 2021. The 33-year-old has had two successful defences since then.
Let’s get it on!
Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo
Looking forward to this next fight. There’s been a bit of beef between Ekow Essuman and Chris Kongo which means they’re likely to leave it all on the line as they compete for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.
Ring walks for that fight are happening as I type. Strap in
Latest odds for Eubank Jr vs Smith
Chris Eubank Jr, perhaps unsurprisingly as the bigger man, is the favourite for tonight’s middleweight bout. Smith’s prices have been drifting outwards all this week.
Latest odds
Eubank Jr – 1/3
Smith – 12/5
Draw – 14/1
Undercard update
There should be just two more fights before our main event tonight. Ekow Essuman will be squaring off against Chris Kongo in a welterweight bout next before Richard Riakporhe and Krzysztof Glowacki do battle at cruiserweight.
Full card
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith (middleweight)
Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki (cruiserweight)
Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo (welterweight)
Joseph Parker def Jack Massey (heavyweight)
Frazer Clarke def Kevin Espindola (heavyweight)
Matty Harris def Jiri Surmaj (heavyweight)
Scott Forrest def Amine Boucetta (cruiserweight)
Frankie Stringer def Christian Narvaez (lightweight)
Joseph Parker gets back on track
It was a relatively comfortable win for Joseph Parker in the end, although he was given a few more problems than expected by his opponent Jack Massey.
But ultimately a unanimous decision for the New Zealander - which was the right call. Back on track after defeat to Joe Joyce.
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
Boxing called on to ‘take decisive action’ after homophobic comments made by Liam Smith
Boxing has been called on to “take decisive action” after Liam Smith directed homophobic comments towards Chris Eubank Jr in the build-up to their grudge fight.
Smith questioned Eubank Jr’s sexuality at Thursday’s press conference, leading broadcaster Sky Sports to make an apology.
Eubank Jr, who insisted Smith “embarrassed himself” with his comments, then wore a rainbow armband at the weigh-in before posing head to head with his Liverpudlian rival.
“We don’t discriminate,” Eubank Jr added. “We don’t alienate. We want boxing and sport as a whole to be all inclusive.”
The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed on Friday that they will “consider the conduct of both boxers directly,” British LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall has urged the governing body to show they take anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric seriously.
Boxing must take ‘decisive action’ after Liam Smith’s homophobic comments
The BBBofC will ‘consider the conduct of both boxers directly’ after Smith questioned Eubank Jr’s sexuality at Thursday’s press conference
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments