Former WBO world super-welterweight champion Liam Smith praised domestic foe Chris Eubank Jr following his tenth-round defeat to his domestic rival in Manchester.
The pair had initially fought each other in January of this year, which saw Smith ultimately claim an emphatic stoppage victory inside four rounds.
However, Saturday night saw Eubank Jr ultimately dominate proceedings from start to finish to claim redemption following his January defeat. Eubank Jr linked up with trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre in the weeks leading up to his rematch with Smith and delivering his most measured and possibly most impressive career win to date in his career.
Eubank Jr would knockdown Smith in the fourth round from an uppercut, which truly shifted the momentum in Eubank Jr’s favour following a competitive three rounds to open the contest, which was scheduled for twelve.
A second knockdown would come in round ten before Eubank Jr would step on the gas with a flurry of punches targeting Smith as Smith was pressed on the ropes. Referee Kevin Parker ultimately would wave off the contest after 1:45 of the tenth round, ruling Smith was in no position to continue.
Immediately post-fight, Smith paid tribute to Eubank Jr for his victory while admitting that he (Smith) was feeling flat due to having to cut a lot of weight in preparation for the contest following his recovery from an injury.
"I was flat from the start; the weight killed me after the injury. I was just flat from the get-go, and Chris was sharp; that's all I can say about it, really," Smith said.
"I couldn't move my feet, and when I did, I rolled my ankle; I have dodgy ankles anyway, so it's just one of those things. Chris was the better man tonight. I shout when I win, and I'll take my defeat when I lose. Everyone knows how I was with the weight. After the injury, I came down three stone; it's a lot of weight to come down."
