Chris Eubank Jr was so badly concussed that he tried to punch Liam Smith after being knocked out in their grudge fight.
After an evenly contested three rounds, Smith knocked out Eubank Jr in devastating fashion to pick up one of the biggest wins of his career. The Scouser backed Eubank Jr into a corner with a flurry of punches but it was an uppercut that did the most damage, followed with a left hook for good measure that sent Eubank Jr down.
Eubank Jr beat the count but the fight was waved off when Eubank Jr hit the canvas again just moments after making it back to his feet. As Smith celebrated with his team, Eubank Jr was on wobbly legs and stumbled back over to his opponent as he seemingly didn't realise the fight was over. Smith took a defensive stance as Eubank approached him before referee Victor Loughlin quickly intervened.
The build-up to the fight got ugly as Sky Sports were forced to apologise for a homophobic row that took place at their press conference on Thursday. Despite those events overshadowing most of fight week, Smith and Eubank Jr put their feud behind them when they shook hands after the fight.
"People said I couldn't do it, so it's up there with one of the best nights of my career. I said beforehand and I know it got out of hand a little bit, but name me a Chris Eubank fight that build-up has been respectful, he hasn't had one. I knew it was going to go that way and it was always going to be a good victory to beat Chris because he's a big name," Smith said.
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"To have the reception I got in Manchester, I've said it before but take football rivalries aside Manchester is good as home for me. I've had some top nights here and I'm still unbeaten here in Manchester, I won my world title here and that fight has probably just topped it again."
Eubank Jr has already called for a rematch, with Smith calling for the second fight to take place at Anfield. There are other fights to be made for Smith next as former welterweight champion Kell Brook teased a move out of retirement to face the Scouser. A world title clash with Gennady Golovkin, who holds three belts at the weight class, is also an option for Smith next.
