Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith – Results & Post-Fight Report

Liam Smith sensationally took out Chris Eubank Jr in the fourth round of their middleweight contest set for twelve at the AO Arena in Manchester.

Smith had previously reigned as WBO super welterweight champion in 2015/16, and he was on a run of three straight early wins after a contentious points loss to Magomed Kurbanov in May 2021. Eubank hadn’t lost since February 2018, when George Groves outscored him in the same arena, and he was last out in February, taking a points win against Liam Williams.

There had been much needle in the build up, and after the usual preliminaries, it was down to business.

Smith landed with a well-timed right hand in the first round, and he landed the more eye-catching shots in the opener. Eubank worked better off his jab in the second, and it was a close round to score, but Eubank bossed round three, going through a repertoire of punches. Few could foresee what was about to happen though, as in the fourth, Smith connected with a big uppercut that crumpled Eubank’s legs from underneath him.

He rose on unsteady legs, and it was debatable weather he should be allowed to continue, but continue he did, and Smith finished the job with a swift attack that forced a second knockdown, and the referee called a halt as the towel was about to be thrown in from Eubank’s trainer, Roy Jones Jr.

Riakporhe sweeps past Glowacki

Richard Riakporhe moved closer to a world title shot, as he stopped former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki in the fourth of their scheduled twelve rounder at cruiserweight.

A massive right hand in the second dipped the knees of Glowacki (32-4, 20 KOs), and Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs) was clinical in his approach.

In the fourth, a left hook to the body of the Pole allowed the home favourite to open up with heavy shots to the head, and, with Glowacki under heavy fire, referee Howard Foster waved the contest off.

Essuman edges past Kongo

Ekow Essuman added the WBC International Silver welterweight title to his British, Commonwealth and IBF European straps, as he took a majority decision win against Chris Kongo (14-2, 7 KOs). 

One judge had it a 114-114 draw, but was overruled by 116-113 and 115-114 verdicts for Essuman (19-0, 7 KOs).

Parker back to winning ways

Former world heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker returned to winning ways after a knockout defeat to Joe Joyce in his last fight, and the New Zealander took a points win over ten against Jack Massey.

Massey (20-2, 11 KOs) was deducted a point in round eight, and Parker (31-3, 21 KOs) took the win by scores of 97-93, 97-92 and 96-93.

Remaining Undercard

Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs) remained unbeaten, as the heavyweight hope forced Kevin Nicolas Espindola (7-7, 2 KOs) to retire after the fourth round of a scheduled six rounds.

Also at heavyweight, Matty Harris (4-0, 3 KOs) needed less than a round to see off the overmatched Czech, Jiri Surmaj (3-3, 2 KOs).

Cruiserweight Scott Forrest (4-0, 3 KOs) went the distance for the first time, taking all six rounds against Amine Boucetta (7-6).

Frankie Stringer opened the show, and the 21-year-old picked up win number four with a points win over four rounds at lightweight against the well-travelled Cristian Narvaez (16-52-6, 1 KO). 

Stringer (4-0) won every round on the referee’s card.