EUBANK JR GETS HIS REVENGE
In a thrilling rematch at the AO Arena , Chris Eubank Jr. avenged his earlier loss to Liam Smith by delivering a decisive knockout in the tenth round. Their previous fight saw Smith claim victory with a suprising knockout, but this time, Eubank turned the tables with an impressive performance, showcasing his improved boxing skills under new trainer Bomac.
During the fight, there were speculations that Smith might have sustained an injury that affected his performance. Tony Bellew, a former cruiserweight world champion, raised concerns about Smith's left leg, suggesting it appeared injured. Bellew stated, "Something seemed off with Liam's left leg, and it was quite apparent. I can't pinpoint it, but his left leg or ankle seemed to be in bad shape." After the fight, Bellew continued, "Liam won't make excuses, as it's not his style, but anyone familiar with boxing or him personally could tell that something wasn't right from the second round onward. Credit to Chris Eubank for stepping back into the ring with him, but it wasn't the Liam Smith we're used to seeing." Ultimately, Eubank proved to be the superior fighter on that night.
The fight had a messy start, with both boxers frequently clinching in the first round. The inside fighting in the initial rounds wasn't aesthetically pleasing. Eubank had a slight edge in the opening two rounds, but the competition remained closely contested. Although Smith briefly hit the canvas at the end of the second round, it was rightfully not counted as a knockdown by the referee.
Eubank then increased his punch output, displaying his remarkable hand speed while Smith struggled to mount a response. Liam Smith who had knocked out Eubank in their previous bout, found himself knocked down in the fourth round following a powerful uppercut. While Smith managed to get back on his feet, he appeared unsteady for most of the round, though Eubank didn't capitalize as much as expected.
In the fifth round, Eubank continued his assault, landing a barrage of impressive punches that trapped Smith against the ropes. Smith, however, displayed resilience and managed to stay in the fight. The pace slowed in the sixth round as both fighters were visibly fatigued and needed a breather. It became increasingly evident that Smith may have been grappling with an ankle issue, as noted by Bellew. Regardless, he was falling behind on the scorecards and required a knockout for victory.
Smith struggled to establish a rhythm as Eubank maintained distance with his jab, winning rounds consistently. In the tenth round, Eubank unleashed a ferocious assault, knocking Smith down once more. This time, Eubank seized the opportunity, and shortly after, the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Smith graciously admitted post-fight, "I felt off from the beginning. I think the weight cut took a toll on me, and I just couldn't get into my groove. Chris was sharp. My footwork was compromised, and I rolled my ankle when I tried to move. It's just one of those things; Chris was the better fighter tonight. I celebrate my victories and accept my defeats."
Finesse Boxing
