Roy Jones Jr appears to have backed a fan-led theory which claims Liam Smith stopped Chris Eubank Jr by using an illegal elbow.
Eubank Jr had teamed up with Jones Jr as his cornerman for the domestic grudge match with Smith which was held at the Manchester Arena. Despite being narrow favourite for the clash, it spelled disaster on the night for Eubank Jr who was brutally stopped after dropping to the canvas twice in a devastating fourth-round barrage.
In the barrage, Smith appeared to land a barrage of left hooks before detonating a huge uppercut which was seen as the crushing shot to stun his rival in his tracks. However a fan led theory emerged on social media that a rogue elbow appeared to connect on Eubank Jr from Smith as pictures emerged of the shot in freeze frame.
And in a dig at boxing promoter Eddie Hearn who was critical of Eubank Jr's tactics on the night, legendary heavyweight Jones Jr appeared to agree. He wrote on Instagram: "Warning! All boxers! Avoid Roy Jones Jr as a trainer! Never mind this elbow. Just avoid him. Damn, If I can take all that away from a fighter via training, no wonder I raised so much hell in my day! That almost sounds like Godly qualities, And I’m nowhere near what God is!"
Fans had shared mixed views on the original post examining the potential illegal shot which would have seen Smith warned and Eubank Jr given time to recover at the very least if it was plausible to official Victor Laughlin. One wrote: "Wow on second viewing it definitely looks like an elbow. I’m surprised they didn’t catch this at the time? Should be a no contest."
What do you make of the claim that Liam Smith elbowed Chris Eubank Jr? Let us know in the comments section below
Another agreed: "Clear elbow to the side of the head ,was it deliberate? I don't think so, but nevertheless maybe an official ringside brings it to the ref's attention, and gives Chris time to recover as I think it could be deemed dangerous." Whereas one fan was more sceptical, adding: "Why are you pushing this? Is a fight, the punch landed first it wasn’t intentional. There is no debate."
After the fight Eubank Jr was respectful with his long-term foe despite their disputes and made no mention of any elbow that some fans believed help bring the fight to a premature halt. “He caught me with a once-in-a-lifetime shot,” he said after the fight. “I got up, I recovered, he put it on me again with a few more shots and the referee decided it was enough.
"I felt like I could go on. I felt like I was aware of what was happening, but it was the referee's decision and I have to respect it. I felt like I was dominating the fight before that happened, so I think we've got an exciting opportunity, at some point in the future, to have that rematch.”
