Liam Smith has just suffered a crushing defeat against Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch. Following his victory over Eubank earlier this year, it was expected that Liam would replicate a similar result once more. However, on the night, Liam was faced with numerous adversities during the fight.
Previously, Liam faced off against Eubank Jr. in January of this year. On that occasion, the scouser secured a miraculous knockout victory over Eubank in the fourth round. Unfortunately, this time, it was an entirely different result at Manchester’s AO Arena. As it turns out, Eubank managed to secure two knockdowns before the stoppage in Round 10.
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Taking to the press conference, Smith cut a sorry figure and explained why he thought he lost the fight. “When I go over the back injury, I cut 42 lbs. I feel it took a toll on my body this last week”. Further, Liam also revealed that he rolled his ankle pretty early on in the fight as well. “Just flat from the get-go, Chris was sharp from the get-go, it’s Chris’ night tonight. I won’t make no excuses like blaming no ankles here”.
As for his performance, Liam was a shadow of himself and the fighter he was last time around. All things considered, Eubank was by far the better boxer and showed some of his best work on the night. Notably, Chris delivered a huge uppercut to Smith, sending him to the canvas in the fourth round. Coincidentally, it was the same round in which Eubank got knocked out the last time around.
Fans trash Liam Smith for giving excuses after the fight
Unfortunately for Liam, there was little sympathy for him from fans online. Despite former Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew tweeting about Liam’s ankle, others were not happy with the post-fight comments. Naturally, with the trash talk ahead of the fight, there were a lot of expectations from both fighters. Whilst Chris backed up everything he said, Liam massively underperformed.
Coincidentally, in the press conference, Liam pointed out that Chris might blame his coaches and even his nutritionist if he loses this time around. However, fans online were quick to catch Liam talking about not being able to recover in time.
Moreover, fans of the fighter were also disappointed to hear that Liam had put on 42 lbs and did not think to postpone the fight. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the criticism Liam Smith received on the night.
Complete lack of professionalism and dedication for a professional athlete.
Last night I was disappointed, bordering gutted, that he lost. Now I am mightily pleased.
Pathetic excuse.
— Toby (@Toby_boxing_fan) September 3, 2023
@TonyBellew I thought Smith was not one to make excuses. Blaming the injury, the weight cut, rolling over on his ankles. By next week will be accusing Mark Brieland of spiking his water. He got battered by the better man. End of.
— Sir TakamBill (@Steven81007318) September 3, 2023
Oh but you don’t make excuses to you Liam?? Take your loss like a man you said? You got absolutely battered from start to finish, look in the mirror, it had nothing to do with weight loss, Eubank is just miles better than you
— Glen Driver (@drivers39) September 3, 2023
He’s fought most of his career at 154lbs and they were fighting at 160lbs there is no need to balloon that much because you’re injured, and if you’re injured you should have got the fight postponed. But like he said no excuses 😂
— Callum (@Callum_Musgrove) September 3, 2023
Unfortunately for the Liverpudlian, his fans did not pull any punches after the fight. Despite the poor showing, the 35-year-old will be keen to settle the tie once and for all with a trilogy bout. As for Chris Eubank, he will be looking forward to taking on Conor Benn in the meantime. Do you believe that Liam deserves to be criticized? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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