Liam Smith has had some choice words for Chris Eubank Jr’s trainer Roy Jones over the excuses he’s been offering up for Eubank’s defeat to Smith back in January.
Eubank was defeated by Smith that night via a stunning fourth round knockout in front of a packed out Manchester Arena, an outcome that few outside of the Liverpudlian’s camp would have envisaged.
At the official press conference for the recently signed rematch, Jones seemed to blame an inefficient weight cut down to 160lbs for ‘Next Gen’s showing, having previously cited a poor game plan as well as use of the elbow from Smith as contributing to the defeat.
Speaking to Boxing News, Smith did not mince his words and claimed Jones was “talking s***e.”
“Roy said the elbow was the excuse first, then he said it was the game plan and now it’s the weight making.”
“I love Roy Jones Jr as a fighter, he’s one of my favourites of all time. But as the coach and the man he’s being now, I’m not really in to – he’s embarrassing himself.”
“That’s the third excuse Roy has pulled out now. I’m not going to fall into that trap now, because I loved him as a fighter. But he’s talking s***e.
Though Eubank publicly stated his desire to activate the contractual rematch clause, at one stage it looked like he would forego another crack at Smith in order to revisit a fight with Conor Benn. However, Benn’s UKAD suspension put paid to these plans.
Just like this pair’s first meeting, Smith vs Eubank Jr will be available to fans in the UK via Sky Sports Box Office.