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

Chris Eubank Jr says Liam Smith ’embarrassed himself’ in controversial press conference

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 - updates

• Liam Smith stunningly knocks out Chris Eubank Jr in much-anticipated middleweight bout in Manchester
• Smith lands a brilliant left uppercut in the 4th round and the fight was stopped soon after
• The fighters embraced despite an ill-tempered build-up and talk turned to a possible rematch
• Richard Riakporhe impressively stops Krzysztof Glowacki in the 4th to move to brink of a cruiserweight world title shot
• Ekow Essuman beats Chris Kongo by majority decision to retain his British welterwight title
• Joseph Parker bounces back from defeat to Joe Joyce with unanimous decision win over Jack Massey
• Olympic medallist Frazer Clarke stops Kevin Espindola inside the distance

[21 January 2023 21:09 · Luke Baker]

WATCH: Ekow Essuman’s ringwalk

Here was Essuman’s ringwalk ahead of this fight. Showmanship

[21 January 2023 21:08 · Luke Baker]

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.

[21 January 2023 21:05 · Luke Baker]

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.

[21 January 2023 20:59 · Luke Baker]

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!

[21 January 2023 20:55 · Luke Baker]

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

[21 January 2023 20:49 · Luke Baker]

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

Via Betway.

[21 January 2023 20:48 · Luke Baker]

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)

[21 January 2023 20:45 · Luke Baker]

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.

(Action Images via Reuters)

[21 January 2023 20:35 · Luke Baker]

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.

[21 January 2023 20:20 · Luke Baker]

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.