Liverpool’s Liam Smith shocked the world taking a TKO victory one minute and 9 seconds into the 4th spherical of a career-defining combat in opposition to Chris Eubank Jr in entrance of a sold-out Manchester Area.
Former world champion Smith got here up a weight class to problem Eubank Jr, and will have taken the best victory of his skilled profession thus far.
Eubank seemed snug within the first three rounds, fluidly boxing and touchdown a number of pictures that harm Smith. Nonetheless, Smith remained calm and composed within the fourth, coming ahead and clipping Eubank with a clubbing proper hook that critically harm him and compelled Eubank to retreat to the nook of the ring.
The Liverpudlian legend then launched a fast flurry of punches, opening Eubank as much as an inch-perfect uppercut that despatched him tumbling to the canvas.
Eubank bravely rose again to his toes regardless of being critically compromised and was capable of beat the referee’s rely of 10, however a couple of extra completely chosen punches from Smith pressured the combat to be stopped.
Each males respectfully got here collectively within the ring after the combat, recognising one another’s expertise and willpower after a hard-fought contest between rivals that clashed within the build-up to the combat.
Liam Smith poses a critical risk to any fighter on the earth at both 154lbs or 160lbs, and appears set to proceed reigning on the high of the game over seven years after successful his first World Championship.
Chris Eubank Jr stays one of many largest stars in British boxing and confirmed super coronary heart to get again up after a brutal knockdown and attempt to combat on, successful over numerous followers in a hostile, packed-out Manchester Area.
Full Undercard Outcomes
Richard Riakporhe def. Krzysztof Głowacki – TKO Rd 4 2:44
Richard Riakporhe proved himself to be able to problem for a World Championship with a consummate efficiency in opposition to a former World Champion in Krzystof Głowacki, forcing the referee to cease the combat on the finish of the 4th spherical after a savage barrage of fierce proper fingers and left hooks.
Riakporhe badly harm Glowacki within the second spherical, and seemed near scoring a knockdown, however the extremely skilled Głowacki well managed the state of affairs and noticed out the spherical safely.
Głowacki remained difficult within the third and 4th rounds, being evasive and discovering alternatives to land counter-punches that pressured Riakporhe to stay cautious. Riakporhe managed this expertly and landed an ideal proper hand that rocked Głowacki and made him fall again to the nook and ultimately get stopped.
Riakporhe appears destined to combat for a World Cruiserweight Championship within the subsequent 12 months, and the UK may find yourself the place to be at 200lbs with expertise like Riakporhe, Chris Billam-Smith, and Lawrence Okolie.
Ekow Essuman def. Chris Kongo – MD (114-114, 116-113, 115,114)
Ekow Essuman retained his British and Commonwealth Welterweight Championships in opposition to Chris Kongo by majority choice in a 50/50 fight-of-the-year contender that had motion from the primary to the ultimate bell. Each males gave completely all the things in a 36-minute warfare the place each males had justification to say victory on the finish.
Chris Kongo managed the primary third of the combat, dictating the combat’s tempo and touchdown significantly greater than Essuman. Essuman got here ahead and did make the combat uncomfortable for Kongo at instances from the fifth spherical onwards, clinching with Kongo and turning the combat right into a barbaric slugging match on the within.
The center 4 rounds of the combat had been razor shut, and each males had a number of durations of success. Essuman landed a devastating barrage of pictures within the remaining minute of the ninth spherical, that badly harm Kongo and left him reeling and doing all the things in his energy to cease Essuman having the ability to throw any pictures.
Essuman used the momentum from his ninth spherical success to maintain the stress on for the ultimate three rounds and hold touchdown. Essuman landed a vicious proper hand within the remaining spherical to badly harm Kongo, and a stoppage seemed shut, however Kongo held on for the ultimate bell.
Each males gave all the things on this epic battle and Kongo will really feel aggrieved to stroll away the loser, however everybody who noticed this elegant combat will know Kongo has nothing to be ashamed of.
Joseph Parker def. Jack Massey – UD (96-93, 97-92, 97-93)
Former World Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker took a robust unanimous choice victory over a resilient and aggressive opponent in Jack Massey. Parker out-landed and out-damaged his opponent throughout the ten rounds of the combat, and confirmed coronary heart to carry off Massey’s relentless offense.
Parker managed the primary 4 rounds of the combat, pushing Massey again into the ropes and throwing highly effective pictures. Massey efficiently took alternatives to fireplace again, however Parker was capable of accumulate injury. The combat opened up from the fifth spherical onwards, with each fighters touchdown large pictures on the opposite, however with Parker persevering with to get the higher of his spirited opponent general, with each males giving all the things within the remaining spherical to attempt to get the stoppage, with their ferocity matched solely by their willpower to not style defeat.
Massey got here on sturdy because the combat continued, and gave Parker a couple of scares, however was in the end outclassed throughout 10 rounds by a high heavyweight, though the sturdy Cruiserweight considerably raised his inventory in a detailed defeat.
Frazer Clarke def. Kevin Espindola – RTD Rd 4 3:00
Olympic Bronze medalist and extremely touted skilled Heavyweight Frazer Clarke took the fifth skilled victory of his profession in opposition to a extremely seasoned opponent in Kevin Espindola.
Clarke pressured the primary stoppage lack of Espindola’s profession after breaking him down with good distance administration and a robust mixture of pictures to the pinnacle and physique, rendering Espindola unable to come back out for the fifth spherical.
Clarke can already rightfully declare a spot as top-of-the-line Heavyweights in British boxing in solely 5 skilled fights, he can now look ahead to the most effective within the UK’s blue riband division and demand respect in that group.
Matty Harris def. Jiri Surmaj – TKO Rd 1 1:14
6 ‘9″ powerhouse Heavyweight prospect Matty Harris delivered a brutal 1st spherical knockout to take the third stoppage victory within the opening three minutes of his 4 combat skilled profession. Harris bludgeoned Jiri Surmaj with pictures from the primary bell and compelled the referee to cease the combat in 74 seconds.
This charismatic big has devastating energy in each fingers and the potential to develop into one of many largest Heavyweight stars in British boxing.
Scott Forrest def. Amine Boucetta – PTS 60-54
Brawny Scottish Cruiserweight Scott Forrest battered Amine Boucetta for six rounds on the way in which to a shutout factors victory the place he got here near stopping Boucetta on a number of events. Forrest was a standout Staff GB beginner and now appears set to climb the ranks rapidly as an expert, transferring to 4-0 as an expert tonight and racking up three stoppages alongside the way in which.
Frankie Stringer def. Cristian Narvaez – PTS 40-36
The 21-year-old thrilling prospect Frankie Stringer confirmed spectacular boxing intelligence to manage a 70 combat veteran in Cristian Narvaez, and never give Narvaez even a touch of a chance to win a spherical.
Now 4-0 as an expert, having received each single spherical of his profession and being managed by fellow Liverpudlian Liam Smith, Stringer appears a critical expertise within the British Light-weight scene.
