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 20:07 · Luke Baker]

Liam Smith is in the building

One half of tonight’s main event has arrived. Liam Smith looking focussed.

[21 January 2023 20:06 · Luke Baker]

Joseph Parker vs Jack Massey

Heavyweight action currently happening in the ring. Joseph Parker taking on Jack Massey, with Parker looking to bounce back from his loss to Joe Joyce last time out.

Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Joyce the only men to beat Parker in his career - not bad for 33 fights. He’s looking to get back on track against Massey tonight.

[21 January 2023 20:01 · Luke Baker]

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

Chris Eubank Jr feels Liam Smith “embarrassed himself” as the British rivals engaged in an ugly slanging match ahead of their middleweight showdown.

A contrite Smith afterwards accepted the personal barbs “crossed a line” following a reference to Eubank Jr’s sexuality during the final press conference for their fight at Manchester’s AO Arena.

“You go on about girls, has anyone in this room ever seen you with a girl? I am just asking, do you want to tell us something?” Smith asked.

Sky Sports have also since apologised for the remarks made on stage.

[21 January 2023 19:52 · Luke Baker]

‘There’s going to be a stoppage’ - David Haye predicts Eubank Jr vs Smith

Former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion David Haye is in the building and has given his prediction about tonight’s main event.

After a tight first few rounds, he’s confident there will be a stoppage.

[21 January 2023 19:44 · Luke Baker]

Look who has come to watch...

Tonight’s main event has captured the interest of the boxing world and there are some big names in attendance at the AO Arena. That includes a certain Tyson Fury...

(Getty Images)

(PA)

[21 January 2023 19:39 · Luke Baker]

Frazer Clarke notches a win

‘Big Fraze’ Frazer Clarke got the job done in the latest undercard fight. The Olympian - a super-heavyweight bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020 - moved to 5-0 with a win over Kevin Espindola.

Espindola looked to suffer a right-arm injury early on and appeared in some discomfort. Eventually, he retired on his stool after the fourth round of the scheduled six-rounder. He’d never been stopped before.

Big Fraze probably not far away from a shot at the English heavyweight title as he continues to build his pro career.

(Action Images via Reuters)

[21 January 2023 19:31 · Luke Baker]

Sky Sports apologise after ‘homophobic remarks’ in Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith press conference

Sky Sports were forced to apologise after “homophobic remarks” were made between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr at their pre-fight press conference.

The Liverpudlian provoked his rival ahead of their all-British middleweight grudge match at the Manchester Arena.

The former world champion confronted Eubank Jr about his private life and urged his rival to come out.

But Eubank Jr appeared to laugh off Smith’s attempts to unsettle him, stating: “my private life is my private life”.

He then made a personal insult of his own concerning his rival’s relationship with his wife before adding: “If you would like to ask me a question just slide into my DMs.”

[21 January 2023 19:23 · Luke Baker]

Undercard results

A few results to bring you from the undercard so far.

On the biggest night of his young boxing career so far, Frankie Stringer won the evening’s opening bout. He took every round of his four-round lightweight contest against Christian Narvaez to move to 4-0. He is expected to be back in the ring next month.

Scott Forrest won the second fight of the night at cruiserweight, beating Amine Boucetta 60-54.

Matty Harris then completely obliterated Jiri Surmaj inside 90 seconds of their heaveyweight clash. Three first-round knockouts on the spin now for Harris. Watch that knockout below.

[21 January 2023 19:17 · Luke Baker]

Eubank Jr vs Smith live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV today

Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith will square off in an all-English clash tonight as the middleweight main event in Manchester.

Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 knockouts) last fought 11 months ago, outpointing Liam Williams on the Welshman’s home turf in Cardiff, though the 33-year-old should have stepped in the ring again in October.

A highly-anticipated bout with Conor Benn fell through on late notice, however, amid adverse findings in Benn’s drug-test results.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Smith’s last outing came in September, when the Liverpudlian (32-3-1, 19 KOs) stopped Hassan Mwakinyo in the fourth round.

Here’s all you need to know about Eubank Jr vs Smith:

[21 January 2023 19:04 · Luke Baker]

Who else is fighting tonight?

Here’s the full undercard for tonight’s event. We’ll update you on a couple of the early results shortly, with Matty Harris having just obliterated Jiri Surmaj inside 90 seconds of a six-round heavyweight fight.

Full card (subject to change)

Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith (middleweight)

Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki (cruiserweight)

Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo (welterweight)

Joseph Parker vs Jack Massey (heavyweight)

Frazer Clarke vs Kevin Espindola (heavyweight)

Matty Harris vs Jiri Surmaj (heavyweight)

Scott Forrest vs Amine Boucetta (cruiserweight)

Frankie Stringer vs Christian Narvaez (lightweight)