Chris Eubank Jr dominates Liam Smith with two knockdowns to win grudge match
Liam Smith: “I was flat and Chris was sharp”
Chris Eubank Jr took revenge for his devastating knockout loss in January this year over Liverpool’s Liam Smith with a 10th round stoppage victory at the AO Arena, Manchester and live on Sky Sports Box Office tonight.
Brighton boxer Eubank took control of the fight from the 4th round, where he landed a ferocious uppercut to the chin of Liam Smith that sent the dangerous Liverpudlian collapsing to the canvas. From that moment on Eubank stayed disciplined and respectful, but totally outclassed Smith for another six rounds before finally forcing the referee to end Smith’s hammering.
The fight started very cagily, with both men grappling each other in long clinches across the first two rounds while few punches were thrown, while Eubank started to gain traction in the 3rd by finding his range perfectly, landing shots on Smith without allowing him to land any in return.
Eubank came close to ending the fight in the 4th and 5th rounds, launching volleys of lefts and rights that left Smith reeling in both rounds, but that didn’t quite force a stoppage.
Eubank kept the tempo high until the fight was stopped, not allowing Smith to focus on anything other than survival, but a former World Champion like Liam Smith was always going to be hard to finish before the final bell, and so was able to survive another five rounds.
Both men come out of this pair of fights with their profiles raised, respect earned, and fans won, with no-one able to argue both aren’t among the best fighters in the world at 160lbs. Whether this brace of fights across 2023 becomes a trilogy next, or both men move onto other things, this iconic boxing rivalry will go down as one of the very best of the 21st century.
Chris Eubank Jr said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Liam is a warrior. I respect him, his team, his family and his brothers. They always come out and put it all on the line. He fought until the last second, so big up to Liam and his team.
“I'm not going to lie, what happened tonight was supposed to happen in January. Like I said, it wasn't my night. I trained hard for that fight, I trained hard for this fight. The focus is always there. I dedicate my life to this sport. Now we're onto bigger and better fights. There's some big names out there.”
Liam Smith said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Everything from start to finish. I was flat. I think the weight killed me. I was flat and Chris was sharp. Chris was the better man tonight.”
BBN Editor, Tim Rickson, shared his views, “Eubank was busy and relentless with his attacks, like the Eubank of old. It has to be argued that Eubank was more effective when he was wild and aggressive like when he fought George Groves.
“Roy Jones Jr was right when he said you have to fight Smith, not box him, which is what Chris did; he stepped in close and made it a fight. Smith needed to throw more back in return but because he didn't, he ended up taken too many punches full on. That said, I think he was right to question the stoppage because about seven or eight punches went in and I think only the first one actually landed, so he wasn't taking any punishment.
“Eubank changed it up from the first fight where he was flicking out pesky jabs with no power behind them to being strong and bullish, like he used to be. With limited amateur experience, he needs to keep to that style of being violent and forward coming instead of flashy boxing skills on the outside. Step in, be busy and domineering, that's the Eubank that will cause problems. Great performance form him last night.”
Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, has since teased fans about the Chris Eubank Jr – Conor Benn fight, tweeting the following: "Time to close the final chapter #unfinishedbusiness".
Adam Azim Def. Aram Fanyan – UD (98-92, 100-90, 99-91)
The most exciting prospect in world boxing Adam Azim took the 9th victory of his professional career at only 21 years old against a talented, dangerous opponent in Aram Fanyan via a dominant unanimous decision victory that saw him win every single round of the fight on one of the judge’s scorecards.
Fanyan started the fight very competitively, with all of the first five rounds being hard to call, but with Azim just about getting the best of them. Fanyan was confidently throwing combinations at the heavy-handed Azim early in the fight, using expert footwork and head movement to avoid the ballistic straight right hands Azim was throwing and have gotten him savage knockouts in the past.
Fanyan had a machine-like resilience to keep coming forward into the line of fire across the second half of the fight where Azim started to dominate and comfortably won every single round, the dogged Ukrainian showed incredible toughness not to fall to Azim’s commanding power that have knocked out six men in his previous fights.
Still only 21 years old, Azim has seemingly unlimited potential to make history in the sport of boxing, and win titles for the next decade. The only question that remains for Adam Azim’s career going forward is whether anything could possibly slow him down.
Adam Azim said to Sky Sports after the fight: “He was a good opponent. I'm only 21 and got into the ring with someone who's had 25 fights. No one would do that at this age. I just proved I can go 10 rounds, I can hurt him, I can stay on the inside and learn from my mistakes. I think it's a win-win.”
Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and founder, said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Aram Fanyan, credit to him. He's a serious operator. He's better than European level. No other fighter that I know would be taking on tests like this early on in their career. But it's about who he's going into it, who he's going to defend against. It's the European title next, but a phenomenal performance on a massive stage.”
Frazer Clarke Def. Dave Allen – RTD Rd 6 – (3:00)
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Medalist and rapidly ascending Heavyweight contender Frazer Clarke took the 6th knockout victory of his unbeaten eight fight professional career against an experienced, wiley opponent in Dave Allen. The fight was an ugly heavyweight brawl between two men with serious KO power in both hands for the 18 minutes it lasted, with both men willing to take a few hits to give a few back, creating explosive action from the very first round.
Clarke dominated exchanges through his cannon-like jab and superior size and reach, but Allen remained stubbornly frustrating and hungry to stretch the fight out to the later rounds where Clarke might have tired.
Clarke had serious success to the body but did also land some blows below the belt that forced the referee to take two points away from him in what ended up the final round.
Allen however retired from the fight due to the damage inflicted on him by Clarke, most notably to his jaw, meaning Big Fraze can continue his seemingly unstoppable rise through the heavyweight division.
Frazer Clarke said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Not vintage again but if you're going to learn on the job, let me tell you Dave Allen is the man to do it with. My feet were a bit lacklustre, but there was some good stuff in there as well. He's a tough man, like I knew he would be.
"I tried my variations. It didn't backfire on me. Listen, it's a fighting game and I'm a clean fighter. If it strayed low and hit the belt, then I apologise to Dave right now, it was never intentional.”
Jack Cullen Def. Mark Heffron – TKO Rd 3 (2:43)
Jack Cullen gave a career-best performance to take home the British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championships in a fight many expected him to lose against a tough, experienced opponent in Mark Heffron.
The first two rounds of the fight were relatively cagey, with Heffron keen to push forward but Cullen using his height advantage to great effect. Heffron did find some openings to land shots to the body in the second and third round, but Cullen also landed well in that time, including a clubbing right hand at the end of the second round that hurt Heffron.
As the end of the third round approached, Cullen landed a lightning-fast left hook that sent Heffron tumbling to the canvas and, despite Heffron instantly rising back to his feet, the referee had no choice but to end the fight and crown a new champion.
Jack Cullen said to Sky Sports after the fight: "It's unreal, just as a kid watching boxing with my dad, he's who I fight for, we've not just watched it, we've won it. Me and Mark know each other, we went to the same gym, he had the title we wanted. If I didn't get the losses, I wouldn't be here fighting for this. Boxing is my life, I've put everything into this fight."
Mikaela Mayer Def. Silvia Bortot – PTS (100-90)
Former World Champion Mikaela Mayer took a flawless 10 round victory in her first fight at 140lbs with a rugged opponent in Silvia Bortot, who was happy to trade blows in the centre of the ring from the first bell where others may have attempted to reduce their exposure to punches to scrape their way to the final bell.
Bortot's aggression did start to fade as the rounds continued as Mayer was able to break her opponent down with well-placed counter punches and lateral movement, but Bortot continued to show true grit to make the final bell despite 10 rounds of fast-flowing action.
Mayer now looks set to get back into World Championship contention at her new weight class, with BOXXER's Natasha Jonas, a world champion at 147lbs, seeming like a natural opponent in the near future.
Mikaela Mayer said to Sky Sports after the fight: "I don't want easy fights, I've got some big fights ahead of me, one of them is sitting right there (Natasha Jonas)!
"I'm ready for that fight, I'm preparing my body for that fight, it's a big jump going from 130lbs to 147lbs. I'm prepared to go to 147lbs and take on Tasha Jonas straight away.”
Florian Marku Def. Dylan Moran – TKO Rd 1 (0:54)
Albanian superstar Florian Marku demolished a seriously skilled and experienced opponent in Dylan Moran within one minute in their hotly anticipated matchup after many expected a 50/50 fight between the pair.
Marku landed a powerful left hand in the first few exchanges of the fight, and then, like a shark smelling blood, pounced on Moran, unloading an unrelenting barrage of punches from both hands until the referee was forced to stop the fight. Marku, with his rabid Albanian support, now looks set for huge fights in future.
Florian Marku said to Sky Sports after the fight: "I've been working so hard for this fight for my comeback. I want big fights and people keep avoiding me. It was a frustrating year. Respect to Dylan Moran, but I am on a different level. When I'm focused I am dangerous. Give me a proper fight and you'll see what we can do."
Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and founder, said to Sky Sports after the fight: "I've worked with Florian a long time and he's always been held back by injuries. This year out the ring and the fact he's fit, he's fit now and he's a dangerous animal. He's a big star and we've got a real talent on our hands."
Lauren Price Def. Lolita Muzeya – TD (Rd 6) – 60-53
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist and inaugural professional Women’s British Champion Lauren Price won every round of her shortened fight with Lolita Muzeya, scoring a knockdown in the fifth, after the referee had to call for the fight to go to his scorecard early due to an accidental clash of heads rendering Muzeya unable to continue.
Muzeya, a former world title challenger with only a single loss on her record to Savannah Marshall, was by far the toughest test of Price’s five fight career, but one she overcame confidently on her seemingly inevitable path to challenging for world titles.
Lauren Price said to Sky Sports after the fight: "It was good to get back in there. I want to be busy. It was my 5th professional fight against someone with an 18-1 record with 10 knockouts. She headlined against Savannah Marshall two fights ago.
“Natasha Jonas, she's got the belt. I respect her 100%, but I want to be chasing world titles. We're both British and it'd be an honour to share the ring with her."
Frankie Stringer Def. Engel Gomez – PTS 60-54
Exciting 22-year-old prospect Frankie Stringer, managed by Liam Smith and trained in the same gym as his main event manager, scored a dominant points victory in the 6th professional fight of his career.
Stringer smartly managed an opponent that came forward and threw combinations for all 6 rounds of the fight, avoiding Engel Gomez’s offence effectively and counter punching to both the head and the body.
Stringer landed some big shots in the first and final rounds of the fight, somewhat threatening a stoppage, but instead won every round of the fight on the judge’s scorecard.
Full Card Results:
Chris Eubank Jr Def. Liam Smith – TKO Rd 10 (1:45)
Adam Azim Def. Aram Fanyan – UD (98-92, 100-90, 99-91)
Frazer Clarke Def. Dave Allen – RTD Rd 6 – (3:00)
Jack Cullen Def. Mark Heffron – TKO Rd 3 (2:43)
Mikaela Mayer Def. Silvia Bortot – PTS (100-90)
Florian Marku Def. Dylan Moran – TKO Rd 1 (0:54)
Lauren Price Def. Lolita Muzeya – TD (Rd 6) 60-53
Frankie Stringer Def. Engel Gomez – PTS 60-54
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