Roy Jones Jr has responded to his critics following Chris Eubank’s knockout loss at the hands of Liam Smith.
Jones and Eubank’s trainer-fighter partnership took its first loss in Manchester, as the much-heralded granite chin of the Brighton fighter was cracked by Liverpool’s Smith in the fourth round.
Eubank’s performance has been analysed and criticised from all corners of the boxing world, and that has included some thoughts that Jones – who is widely known as one of the greatest fighters of all time – isn’t the right coach for him.
The sporting legend took to Instagram to address this.
“Warning!!!! All boxers!!!!! Avoid Roy Jones Jr as a trainer! Never mind this elbow… Just avoid him.
Damn, If I can take all that away from a fighter via training, no wonder I raised so much hell in my day!! That almost sounds like Godly qualities, And I’m nowhere near what God is!!!”
The former four-weight world champion posted his thoughts alongside two images.
One was a controversial theory doing the rounds online that Smith hurt Eubank with an elbow before within his flurry of punches. Whilst his elbow does connect, it’s after he throws a hook that slips off Eubank’s head.
The second picture was a transcribed quote from Eddie Hearn from a recent IFL TV interview. In it, Hearn said Eubank has lost assets with Jones in his corner.
“I saw what we knew, which is Liam Smith is very good, very composed … And another guy who is completely lost in his boxing. Technically, Eubank has never been great, but what he’s always had is a fearless mentality, a great chin and a great engine. What he’s done with Roy Jones is completely take those assets away.”
Much has been made in the aftermath about what led to the knockout. Some believe Eubank is too tight at the weight of 160lb these days, whilst others agree with Hearn that his attributes don’t fit the fighting style of Roy Jones Jr.
Others have – perhaps rightfully – simply given full credit to Liam Smith.