During his chaotic press conference with Liam Smith, Chris Eubank Jr took his opportunity to have a dig at another fighter who wasn’t in attendance, or is even still competing – Tony Bellew.
The domestic clash which many pundits are branding a 50/50 fight has had the added spice of bad blood, with both men making their dislike for one another clear. Whilst Smith has stuck to the more standard insults, Eubank has got creative.
In his latest slight on the city of Liverpool after booking a billboard to remind the residents of a closely fought footballing rivalry, the Brighton-born fighter has branded Smith the city’s ‘biggest a***hole’, and named who he previously thought held that title.
“I used to think Tony Bellew was the biggest a***hole to come out of Liverpool, but now it’s Liam Smith.”
Bellew caught wind of the comments, and had a few choice words for Eubank in response.
“He’s correct I am Liverpool’s biggest a***hole BUT I’m an a***hole who’s won far more than he ever will. He also needs to return that blag belt he parades around with back to Brighton pier arcades where he won it.”
Tony Bellew responds to Chris Eubank Jr… pic.twitter.com/w83dfdSrZN
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 19, 2023
It’s not the first time Bellew has been mentioned in the fight promotion, with promoter Ben Shalom previously saying the Eubank-Smith matchmaking reminds him of Bellew and his domestic rival, David Haye.
Much like Haye and Bellew, tensions at the press conference boiled over and forced Sky Sports to apologise for inappropriate comments made by Smith.
It’s clear that the fighters are ready to hit each other, and all that stands in the way now is a likely fiery weigh in. The main event will then follow on Saturday night after a packed undercard featuring both Joseph Parker and Richard Riakporhe.