Liam Smith certainly isn’t taking the threat of an appeal from Chris Eubank Jr’s team seriously.
Smith stopped Eubank for the first time in a 35 fight career this month in Manchester. The fourth round flurry saw the Brighton fighter dazed, confused and, ultimately, totally unfit to continue.
Whilst many predicted a Smith win, very few thought an early stoppage was on the cards given the well-earned respect for Eubank’s punch resistance.
This is boxing though and, as Smith put it in the aftermath, a good chin means nothing when it’s tested with the right shot.
Since the fight, a slow motion replay showing Smith’s elbow coming into contact with Eubank’s head has been doing the rounds, with some fans calling it an illegal blow. It’s important to note that plenty of punches landed before and after this – including a particularly brutal left uppercut.
Sky Sports have reported that Team Eubank are now considering an appeal to the British Boxing Board of Control regarding this, and it didn’t take Smith long to address the news.
Borrowing a reaction from Mike Tyson – who was no stranger to similar knockouts – the Liverpool fan-favourite clearly finds it amusing.
https://t.co/sfoCSKxRJ8pic.twitter.com/SUOsrJiBKT
— Liam Smith (@LiamBeefySmith) January 26, 2023
So far, it’s all he’s offered on the matter, however if an appeal does materialise then we can expect a lengthier statement.
It was written into Eubank’s contract that he could have a rematch if he lost and it was already expected that he would enforce that clause to try and avenge his defeat.
With this added animosity – which was frankly never required given the tense build up – a second fight looks all the more likely.