Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II

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Repeat or Revenge
Date2 September 2023
VenueManchester Arena, Manchester, UK
Tale of the tape
Boxer United Kingdom Liam Smith United Kingdom Chris Eubank Jr.
Nickname "Beefy" "Next Gen"
Hometown Liverpool, Merseyside Hove, East Sussex
Pre-fight record 33–3–1 (20 KOs) 32–3 (23 KOs)
Age 35 years, 1 month 33 years, 11 months
Height 5 ft 9+1⁄2 in (177 cm) 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg) 159.3 lb (72 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBO
No. 2 Ranked Middleweight
WBA
No. 4 Ranked Light Middleweight		 WBC
No. 5 Ranked Middleweight
WBO
No. 11 Ranked Middleweight
Result
Eubank Jr wins via 10th-round TKO

Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II, billed as Repeat or Revenge, was a professional boxing match contested on 2 September 2023.

Background

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On 14 February 2023, three weeks after his upset loss to Liam Smith, Chris Eubank Jr. activated the rematch clause in the contract.[1][2] On 25 April, the rematch was formally announced to take place on 17 June at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and ESPN+ in the US.[3][4] On the rematch being signed, Eubank said, “Liam had the night of his life against me in January, the stars aligned for him in Manchester, and he went away with a big win. But lightning doesn’t strike twice. If he even has the slightest thought that he can beat me again, then great, because it will be his undoing.” Smith said, “I know he tried his best to go a different route but the fight is on now and I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say for himself in the build up. Let’s see what angle he comes with this time. He can’t come with angles about how he’s never been hurt, he’s never been dropped, he’s never been stopped, because he just had all three of those things happen to him in one night and it was me who did it to him. I’m also interested to see where he goes after I beat him again on June 17th.” The fight was promoted by Boxxer, in association with Wasserman Boxing.[5][6][7]

Ben Shalom credited Eubank on taking the rematch, after not being for it originally. He felt Eubank had more to lose in the rematch and a further loss would be detrimental to his career.[8] After Eubank activated the rematch clause, he engaged in negotiations for a bout with Conor Benn, which was proposed to occur in Abu Dhabi this June, right up until the official announcement of the fight. Eubank explained, “I decided against it (taking the Benn fight). It was a substantial offer. I had to weigh out the pros and cons of taking that fight before taking the Smith fight, because the Smith fight was always going to happen. I have to avenge the loss. I eventually decided against fighting Benn next." He also expressed a preference for the bout against Benn to be held in the UK.[9] On 8 May, reports emerged indicating that Smith sustained a minor back injury during training camp, resulting in the postponement of the fight. The following day, the match was promptly rescheduled for 1 July 2023.[10][11][12] On 24 May, the fight was postponed again after Smith cited persistent injuries that impacted his training camp.[13][14] By July, Smith was fully fit again and the fight was again rescheduled for 2 September 2023.[15][16]

In August, Roy Jones Jr., who had been training Eubank for his recent bouts, announced that he would not be in his corner for the upcoming rematch. The primary reason for his absence is his commitment to other boxers who have scheduled fights. Eubank enlisted Brian "Bomac" McIntyre as his trainer for the upcoming rematch. McIntyre was recognized for his successful experience in coaching multi-weight world champion Terence Crawford.[17][18][19] During fight week, Joseph McNally, trainer of Smith, disclosed that VADA testing did not occur for the rematch between Smith and Eubank. He specifically pointed out that Smith had not undergone any testing by the doping agency prior to the bout.[20] Eubank weighed 159.3 pounds while Smith weighed on the 160 pounds limit.[21][22]

The fight

[edit]

Eubank employed a punch-and-grab technique to gradually wear down Smith, dropping him twice which led to a stoppage in the tenth round, gaining revenge. Eubank sent Smith to the canvas with a powerful uppercut in the fourth round and put him in a tough spot in the fifth, unleashing a series of punches while Smith was cornered against the ropes. By the ninth round, Smith seemed visibly fatigued and appeared to be struggling with an injury to his right ankle. In the tenth round, Eubank sent Smith to the canvas once more before ultimately halting the fight just moments later with a flurry of unanswered blows. The bout was called off at 1:45 of round ten.[23][24][25] Following the stoppage, a triumphant Eubank gazed into the crowd, directing his attention towards retired boxer Kell Brook, signalling his desire for a showdown with him in the near future. He also called out Conor Benn and Gennady Golovkin.[26][27]

Smith attributed his physical condition to the significant weight loss he underwent in preparation for the rematch. However, he still praised Eubank stating, "I was flat from the start; the weight killed me after the injury. I was just flat from the get-go and Chris was sharp, that's all I can say about it really. Chris was the better man tonight, I shout when I win and I'll take my defeat when I lose." CompuBox stats shows that Eubank landed 193 of 580 punches thrown (33.3%), nearly six times more than Smith, who landed 33 of his 132 thrown (25%).[28][29][30]

Aftermath

[edit]

Although there was nothing in the contracts to force a third fight, Smith was eager for a trilogy. He said, "This is obviously Chris' night. I had my night in January. I'm not taking nothing away from Chris this time round. This is his night. It's 1-1 now, so let's see what happens next. It's 1-1. That doesn't settle nothing for me." Eubank expressed that he would consider a third fight only if there was significant public interest.[31] Prior to his fight against Benn, Eubank was presented with a bespoke jacket adorned with Smith's real blood. It was at this time also when Smith once again expressed interest in settling a trilogy with Eubank. Smith was scheduled to fight Aaron McKenna on the undercard.[32][33] Smith lost via a lop-sided decision.[34]

Undercard

[edit]

Confirmed bouts:[35]

Weight Class vs. Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight United KingdomChris Eubank Jr. def. United KingdomLiam Smith TKO 10 (12) 1:45
Super Middleweight United Kingdom Jack Cullen def. United Kingdom Mark Heffron TKO 3 (12) 2:43 Note 1
Super lightweight United Kingdom Adam Azim def. Ukraine Aram Faniian UD 10
Heavyweight United Kingdom Frazer Clarke def. United Kingdom David Allen RTD 6 (10) 3:00
Welterweight Albania Florian Marku def. Republic of Ireland Dylan Moran TKO 1 (10) 0:54
Cruiserweight United States Mikaela Mayer def. Italy Silvia Bortot PTS 10
Welterweight United Kingdom Lauren Price def. Zambia Lolita Muzeya TKO 6 (8) 0:24
Lightweight United Kingdom Frankie Stringer def. Nicaragua Engel Gomez PTS 4

^Note 1 For British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight titles

Broadcasting

[edit]
Country Broadcaster
United Kingdom Sky Sports

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr triggers rematch with Liam Smith after stoppage loss". BBC Sport. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  2. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr triggers Liam Smith rematch clause to set up second fight later this year". Sky Sports. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr: Rivals to fight again in Manchester on 17 June". BBC Sport. 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  4. ^ "Liam Smith: I Regret Every Bit Of Eubank Fight Week, Will Be People I'll Never Win Back Over". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  5. ^ Roff, Ed (2023-04-25). "Confirmed! Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith rematch on June 17". Wasserman Boxing. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  6. ^ "Liam Smith-Chris Eubank Rematch Confirmed, June 17 At AO Arena". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  7. ^ "Sources: Smith-Eubank rematch set for June 17". ESPN.com. 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  8. ^ "Shalom: Eubank's Career On The Line in Smith Rematch, Credit To Him For Taking Fight". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  9. ^ "Eubank on Turning Down Benn Fight: It Was a Substantial Offer; Fight Needs To Happen in the UK". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  10. ^ "Liam Smith Suffers Injury, Forced To Postpone Rematch With Chris Eubank Jr". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  11. ^ "Liam Smith's rematch with Chris Eubank Jr rescheduled to July 1 at AO Arena in Manchester". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  12. ^ "Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Rematch Moves To July 1". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  13. ^ "Smith vs. Eubank Postponed Further, Crews-Dezurn vs. Marshall To Headline July 1 Card". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  14. ^ "Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr: Rematch postponed as Savannah Marshall headlines on 1 July". BBC Sport. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  15. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr confirms Liam Smith September rematch date". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  16. ^ "Eubank Jr. Has Received New Date For Liam Smith Rematch, Says Shalom". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  17. ^ "Roy Jones Says He Will Not Be Training Chris Eubank Jr. Ahead of Liam Smith Rematch". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  18. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr. Hires Brian "Bomac" McIntyre as Trainer For Liam Smith Rematch". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  19. ^ "Eubank Jr. Hires Bomac As His New Trainer". FIGHT SPORTS. 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  20. ^ "Liam Smith's Trainer On Eubank Jr. Clash: I Ain't Seen No VADA". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  21. ^ September 2023, Kerr Ferguson on 1st (2023-09-01). "Liam Smith And Chris Eubank Jr Weigh In Results". boxing-social.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr make weight as towels fly ahead of Saturday's Sky Sports Box Office rematch". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  23. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr stops Liam Smith in 10th round to secure stunning revenge win in Manchester". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2024-10-12. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  24. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr dominates Liam Smith with two knockdowns to win middleweight rematch". BBC Sport. 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  25. ^ "TNT Sports is not available in your region". www.tntsports.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  26. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr dominates Liam Smith with two knockdowns to win middleweight rematch". BBC Sport. 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  27. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr. Calls Out Golovkin, Conor Benn, Kell Brook". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  28. ^ "Liam Smith Praises Eubank: He Was The Better Man, I Was Flat From The Get-Go". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  29. ^ "Liam Smith on Eubank Fight: 'I Feel the Weight [Cut] Killed Me'". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  30. ^ "Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith Rematch - CompuBox Punch Stats". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
  31. ^ "Liam Smith Wants Eubank Trilogy: We're 1-1, That Doesn't Settle Nothing For Me". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  32. ^ "Eubank Jr. gifted jacket with ex-rival's actual blood". ESPN.com. 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  33. ^ "Liam Smith targets Chris Eubank Jr trilogy fight to settle rivalry after Aaron McKenna fight". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2025-05-13. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  34. ^ "Eubank vs Benn: Unbeaten Irish fighter Aaron McKenna outclasses former world champion Liam Smith". BBC Sport. 2025-04-27. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  35. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Liam Smith's bouts
2 September 2023 		Succeeded by
Chris Eubank Jr.'s bouts
2 September 2023 		Succeeded by