In a highly-anticipated rematch held in Manchester, Chris Eubank Jr. delivered a resounding performance against Liam Smith, ultimately securing redemption by stopping him in the 10th round.
The pivotal moment arrived in the fourth round when Eubank executed a precise right uppercut, sending Smith to the canvas. Eubank’s dominance only intensified from that point onwards.
By the 10th round, Eubank’s sustained aggression proved overwhelming for Smith. Smith took a knee as Eubank unleashed a relentless flurry of punches, prompting the referee to intervene at 1 minute and 45 seconds into the round.
“I had to prove to the fans and the boxing public that I am who I say I am,” Eubank said after the match. “I’m not a pretender; I’m not a fake. I do the things I say I’m going to do.”
This victory held immense significance for Eubank, providing an opportunity to avenge his previous loss to Smith. Back in January, Eubank had suffered a painful four-round defeat to the Liverpudlian in the AO Arena.
Eubank’s commitment to turning the tables led him to relocate his training camp from Brighton to Las Vegas, where he partnered with renowned trainer Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, known for guiding Terence Crawford to success in the sport.
The stakes were undeniably high for Eubank entering this rematch. A second defeat in a similar fashion to the first would have left his career in jeopardy. However, Eubank rose to the occasion, giving the fight everything he had and walking home as the victor.
The early rounds witnessed Eubank’s aggressive tactics, at times leading to clinches as he asserted his physicality. Smith encountered challenges with his footing and found himself on the canvas in the second round.
The turning point came in the fourth round when Eubank landed a perfectly timed right uppercut, flooring Smith, who appeared dazed and hurt. Smith briefly let his gumshield fall to the canvas to gain respite.
Despite Smith’s resilience, Eubank continued to apply relentless pressure in the subsequent rounds, delivering punishing punches. Smith displayed courage until the end but couldn’t withstand Eubank’s onslaught. A left to the body hurt Smith, and when Eubank directed him towards the ropes, Smith opted to take a knee.
Ultimately, the referee stepped in to halt the contest, safeguarding Smith and sealing Eubank’s triumphant victory. Eubank stood alone in the ring, fully aware of the significance of this moment for his future in the sport.
Leon Osamor
