Liam Smith takes out Chris Eubank Jr with spectacular knockout finish in fourth round in Manchester | Boxing News

Liam Smith twice blasted Chris Eubank down to the canvas and finished the fight in four stunning rounds at the Manchester Arena.

After a dominant third round from Eubank, Smith came out of the trap in the fourth, knocking down his opponent for the first time 45 seconds into the round.

Eubank was hurt badly and Smith dropped him twice within seconds, with the referee calling a halt even as Eubank tried to fight back.

Smith’s long rivalry with Eubank Jr. dates back more than seven years to a series of fierce sparring sessions.

It made the Liverpool man believe he was the better fighter, even though he had moved up to middleweight. The suggestion was dismissed by Eubank Jr., only angering the former WBO titlist.

Although the contest was heavily contested, Smith was a crowd favorite when he walked into a packed Manchester Arena, packed with 18,000 people.

It was the setting he wanted, the stage that gave him the chance to prove that he could reclaim his former status as world champion.

But unfazed by the raucous atmosphere, Eubank left Smith waiting in the ring for a long time as he made his entrance, climbed onto the ring apron and gazed out into the arena, before easily circling the top rope in his famous father’s fashion. .

Smith, who represents his own boxing dynasty, is one of four brothers who have all won British titles, all challenged for world titles and two have previously been world champions.

Pride and potentially the future of boxing are on the line in this fight. But he answered all the questions Eubank asked with an incredible finish.

Smith wasn’t supposed to be a power puncher in this particular fight. He though a ruthless finisher.

A story of struggle

To start Eubank doubles his jab, then throws a left to the body. Smith edged forward with a high glove. He opened right to the body. But running back a blow to the head caught him flush.

Smith though did not give too many openings. Eubank was active in that first round, dropping his hands but mostly making a few mistakes, only to receive quick punches as the right dug into his body again.

Smith’s corner was called “educated pressure” and he provided it in the second half. Coming up, he still landed a three-punch combination and hit Eubank in the head. Smith made Eubank throw but didn’t let him do too much.

Therefore Eubank moved, looking for the box, but conceding the ground.

Smith ducked a wild left hook and continued his front foot approach. Eubank snapped the jab out, kept Smith dead and clipped him with a right, before then bringing in dangerous uppercuts with his back hand. The uppercut was a significant new addition to his work in the third round. They circled his way and suddenly he looked strong for battle.

But Smith changed everything in the fourth round. He backs Eubank into the corner and unleashes a combination. Connecting hard, he stunned Eubank and dropped him to the canvas.

It’s an expertly executed combination, a left uppercut followed by a fierce left hook.

Eubank got up bravely but not firmly and immediately let him down again.

He got back up, trying to get around the referee’s hand instinctively now, but Victor Loughlin didn’t let him do any more damage, stopping him at 1:09 of the fourth round.

What they said

Liam Smith said: “I don’t know if it’s just one thing or an accumulation, but I’ve been telling them all week.

“A lot is made of Chris’s good chin, I have a good chin, but there are a lot of fighters with better chins who have lost in the past.

“I told you all week, don’t be surprised, no one can get hurt.”

Chris Eubank Jr. said: “Big congratulations to him. He caught me with a big shot.

“The build up, it got a little ugly at the end. I regret it, I respect you, I respect your family, I always have.

“If the fans want to see the game again, we can do it at Anfield.

“Regards, man.”