A SHAKEN Chris Eubank Jr had to be held back and protected by Liam Smith’s trainer after trying to fight on despite being knocked out.
Eubank was sent crashing to the canvas twice in round four by Smith – marking the first time he was ever dropped as a professional.
A barrage of punches while pinned in the corner forced the first knockdown before then being bundled to the deck again.
Eubank bravely made it to his feet both times but referee Victor Loughlin had no other choice other than to wave it off.
The stunned middleweight was stumbling across the ring but tried to fight on even after Loughlin called a halt.
So much so that Eubank ran up to Smith, believing the bout was still continuing.
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It took the opposing corner – in the form of coach Joe McNally – to grab Eubank and ensure his safety.
Eventually the son of British boxing royalty cleared his head to congratulate Smith while insisting he was good to carry on.
Eubank said: “Big congratulations to him, I felt like I could have gone on but he caught me with a great shot.”
The beaten boxer has the chance to gain redemption with the right to rematch in his contract.
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But he could be made to go behind enemy lines against Liverpool’s Smith.
Eubank said: “If the fans want to see a rematch then we can get it on at Anfield.”
Smith teased taking the sequel back home to Merseyside having come up in weight to KO Eubank, who was left with a horror eye swell.
He said: “If Chris wants the rematch we can do that on my terms.
“I agreed to the rematch clause beforehand so we can see, I can beat all the best fights at 160lbs and 154lbs.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
