Tag: Chris Eubank Jr.

Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II: Date, time, how to watch, background

Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Middleweight contenders Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. will meet in a rematch Saturday after Smith’s UPSET knockout of his rival IN January.

LIAM SMITH (33-3-1, 20 KOS) VS.
CHRIS EUBANK JR. (32-3, 23 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 2
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Smith 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Mikaela Mayer vs. Silvia Bortot Confirmed, junior welterweights; Adam Azim vs. Aram Fanyan, junior welterweights; Mark Heffron vs. Jack Cullen, super middleweights; Frazer Clarke vs. Dave Allen, heavyweights; Florian Marku vs. Dylan Moran, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Smith and Eubank are scheduled to meet for a second time after Smith’s stunning fourth-round knockout of his countryman and fellow contender on Jan. 21 in the same arena. Smith stunned Eubank with a right hand and followed with several more damaging blows, putting him down and hurting him badly. Eubank was able to stagger to his feet and continued for a moment but he went down again under a barrage of punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Eubank quickly exercised the rematch clause in their contract. Smith, 35, has demonstrated admirable resilience to remain a contender almost 15 years after he became a professional. His most recent setback came in May 2021, when he lost a close decision to unbeaten 160-pound contender Magomed Kurbanov. He bounced back by delivering one of the better stretches of his career to reestablish himself as a major player, consecutive knockouts of Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas, Hassan Mwakinyo and Eubank. Eubank, 33, had been on an impressive run, six consecutive victories (three by knockout) since losing a decision to George Groves in 2018. The resident of Sussex seemed to be on the verge of realizing his potential. Then came the disaster against Smith, which put Eubank in a precarious position. A second setback against the Liverpudlian could knock him out of the rankings and dash any immediate hopes for a shot at a major title.

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Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II: Date, time, how to watch, background

Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. II: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Middleweight contenders Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. will meet in a rematch Saturday after Smith’s UPSET knockout of his rival IN January.

LIAM SMITH (33-3-1, 20 KOS) VS.
CHRIS EUBANK JR. (32-3, 23 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 2
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Smith 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Mikaela Mayer vs. Silvia Bortot Confirmed, junior welterweights; Adam Azim vs. Aram Fanyan, junior welterweights; Mark Heffron vs. Jack Cullen, super middleweights; Frazer Clarke vs. Dave Allen, heavyweights; Florian Marku vs. Dylan Moran, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Smith and Eubank are scheduled to meet for a second time after Smith’s stunning fourth-round knockout of his countryman and fellow contender on Jan. 21 in the same arena. Smith stunned Eubank with a right hand and followed with several more damaging blows, putting him down and hurting him badly. Eubank was able to stagger to his feet and continued for a moment but he went down again under a barrage of punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Eubank quickly exercised the rematch clause in their contract. Smith, 35, has demonstrated admirable resilience to remain a contender almost 15 years after he became a professional. His most recent setback came in May 2021, when he lost a close decision to unbeaten 160-pound contender Magomed Kurbanov. He bounced back by delivering one of the better stretches of his career to reestablish himself as a major player, consecutive knockouts of Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas, Hassan Mwakinyo and Eubank. Eubank, 33, had been on an impressive run, six consecutive victories (three by knockout) since losing a decision to George Groves in 2018. The resident of Sussex seemed to be on the verge of realizing his potential. Then came the disaster against Smith, which put Eubank in a precarious position. A second setback against the Liverpudlian could knock him out of the rankings and dash any immediate hopes for a shot at a major title.

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Chris Eubank Jr. insists he won’t repeat mistake of first meeting with Liam Smith

Chris Eubank Jr. insists that he won’t repeat the mistake of his first meeting with rival Liam Smith when they meet again on Saturday.

Chris Eubank Jr. insists he knows where he went wrong against Liam Smith in January, when Smith knocked him out in four rounds.

Eubank had a strong Round 3 but a perfect right hand from Smith initiated a barrage of damaging blows that resulted in two knockdowns and one of the most stunning stoppages of the year at AO Arena in Manchester, England, the site of their rematch on Saturday night (ESPN+).

Eubank (32-3, 23 KOs) said he let his guard down, figuratively and literally. He promises it won’t happen in his second shot at Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs).

“I think I got complacent,” he said on The Overlap podcast. “I was very comfortable in that ring, probably more so than I usually am in fights in general. I was very comfortable, I was very relaxed.

“He wasn’t catching me with shots. In the third round, I hit him with some great combinations, and I was just fully in control. I guess I went back to the corner after the third round and I was like, ‘This is in the bag, I’ve got this.'”

He went on: “You’ve got to have confidence but as a veteran you can gauge your ability, especially after being in the ring for a few rounds with another man. You know whether it’s going to be a hard night or whether you’ve got it.

“After that third round, I was like, ‘I’ve got this, this is where I’m going to start taking off.'”

Unfortunately for Eubank, it was Smith who took off.

“That relaxed attitude – ‘Oh, there’s no danger in front of me’ – caused me to let my guard down for a split second, literally,” he said. “My opponent capitalized on that split second mistake and now we’re here, about to settle the score in a rematch.”

He added: “When I got out of that ring it wasn’t depression or upset, it was annoyance. I was [thinking], ‘How can I let this happen, I know I can beat this guy.’ So it was a different type of sting.

“But that’s boxing. You’ve got to take your licks when they’re there and have the ability to come back stronger, tougher, more resilient, improved. You’ve got to learn from your mistakes.”

[lawrence-related id=38717,35234,35226]

Chris Eubank Jr. insists he won’t repeat mistake of first meeting with Liam Smith

Chris Eubank Jr. insists that he won’t repeat the mistake of his first meeting with rival Liam Smith when they meet again on Saturday.

Chris Eubank Jr. insists he knows where he went wrong against Liam Smith in January, when Smith knocked him out in four rounds.

Eubank had a strong Round 3 but a perfect right hand from Smith initiated a barrage of damaging blows that resulted in two knockdowns and one of the most stunning stoppages of the year at AO Arena in Manchester, England, the site of their rematch on Saturday night (ESPN+).

Eubank (32-3, 23 KOs) said he let his guard down, figuratively and literally. He promises it won’t happen in his second shot at Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs).

“I think I got complacent,” he said on The Overlap podcast. “I was very comfortable in that ring, probably more so than I usually am in fights in general. I was very comfortable, I was very relaxed.

“He wasn’t catching me with shots. In the third round, I hit him with some great combinations, and I was just fully in control. I guess I went back to the corner after the third round and I was like, ‘This is in the bag, I’ve got this.'”

He went on: “You’ve got to have confidence but as a veteran you can gauge your ability, especially after being in the ring for a few rounds with another man. You know whether it’s going to be a hard night or whether you’ve got it.

“After that third round, I was like, ‘I’ve got this, this is where I’m going to start taking off.'”

Unfortunately for Eubank, it was Smith who took off.

“That relaxed attitude – ‘Oh, there’s no danger in front of me’ – caused me to let my guard down for a split second, literally,” he said. “My opponent capitalized on that split second mistake and now we’re here, about to settle the score in a rematch.”

He added: “When I got out of that ring it wasn’t depression or upset, it was annoyance. I was [thinking], ‘How can I let this happen, I know I can beat this guy.’ So it was a different type of sting.

“But that’s boxing. You’ve got to take your licks when they’re there and have the ability to come back stronger, tougher, more resilient, improved. You’ve got to learn from your mistakes.”

[lawrence-related id=38717,35234,35226]

Fight Week: Chris Eubank Jr. will try to avenge knockout loss to Liam Smith

Fight Week: Chris Eubank Jr. will try to avenge a stunning knockout loss to Liam Smith when they meet again on Saturday in England.

FIGHT WEEK

Middleweight contenders Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. will meet in a rematch Saturday after Smith’s sensational knockout of his rival this past January.

LIAM SMITH (33-3-1, 20 KOS) VS.
CHRIS EUBANK JR. (32-3, 23 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 2
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Smith 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Mikaela Mayer vs. Silvia Bortot Confirmed, junior welterweights; Adam Azim vs. Aram Fanyan, junior welterweights; Mark Heffron vs. Jack Cullen, super middleweights; Frazer Clarke vs. Dave Allen, heavyweights; Florian Marku vs. Dylan Moran, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Smith and Eubank are scheduled to meet for a second time after Smith’s stunning fourth-round knockout of his countryman and fellow contender on Jan. 21 in the same arena. Smith stunned Eubank with a right hand and followed with several more damaging blows, putting him down and hurting him badly. Eubank was able to stagger to his feet and continued for a moment but he went down again under a barrage of punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Eubank quickly exercised the rematch clause in their contract. Smith, 35, has demonstrated admirable resilience to remain a contender almost 15 years after he became a professional. His most recent setback came in May 2021, when he lost a close decision to unbeaten 160-pound contender Magomed Kurbanov. He bounced back by delivering one of the better stretches of his career to reestablish himself as a major player, consecutive knockouts of Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas, Hassan Mwakinyo and Eubank. Eubank, 33, had been on an impressive run, six consecutive victories (three by knockout) since losing a decision to George Groves in 2018. The resident of Sussex seemed to be on the verge of realizing his potential. Then came the disaster against Smith, which put Eubank in a precarious position. A second setback against the Liverpudlian could knock him out of the rankings and dash any immediate hopes for a shot at a major title.

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

  • Yuliahn Luna vs. Dina Thorslund, bantamweights (for Luna’s WBC and Thorslund’s WBO titles), Holstebro, Denmark (FITE)

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Fight Week: Chris Eubank Jr. will try to avenge knockout loss to Liam Smith

Fight Week: Chris Eubank Jr. will try to avenge a stunning knockout loss to Liam Smith when they meet again on Saturday in England.

FIGHT WEEK

Middleweight contenders Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. will meet in a rematch Saturday after Smith’s sensational knockout of his rival this past January.

LIAM SMITH (33-3-1, 20 KOS) VS.
CHRIS EUBANK JR. (32-3, 23 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 2
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Smith 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Mikaela Mayer vs. Silvia Bortot Confirmed, junior welterweights; Adam Azim vs. Aram Fanyan, junior welterweights; Mark Heffron vs. Jack Cullen, super middleweights; Frazer Clarke vs. Dave Allen, heavyweights; Florian Marku vs. Dylan Moran, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Smith and Eubank are scheduled to meet for a second time after Smith’s stunning fourth-round knockout of his countryman and fellow contender on Jan. 21 in the same arena. Smith stunned Eubank with a right hand and followed with several more damaging blows, putting him down and hurting him badly. Eubank was able to stagger to his feet and continued for a moment but he went down again under a barrage of punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Eubank quickly exercised the rematch clause in their contract. Smith, 35, has demonstrated admirable resilience to remain a contender almost 15 years after he became a professional. His most recent setback came in May 2021, when he lost a close decision to unbeaten 160-pound contender Magomed Kurbanov. He bounced back by delivering one of the better stretches of his career to reestablish himself as a major player, consecutive knockouts of Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas, Hassan Mwakinyo and Eubank. Eubank, 33, had been on an impressive run, six consecutive victories (three by knockout) since losing a decision to George Groves in 2018. The resident of Sussex seemed to be on the verge of realizing his potential. Then came the disaster against Smith, which put Eubank in a precarious position. A second setback against the Liverpudlian could knock him out of the rankings and dash any immediate hopes for a shot at a major title.

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

  • Yuliahn Luna vs. Dina Thorslund, bantamweights (for Luna’s WBC and Thorslund’s WBO titles), Holstebro, Denmark (FITE)

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‘Manny Pacquaio has agreed to fight Conor Benn,’ according to advisor

“Manny Pacquaio has agreed to fight Conor Benn,” his advisor Sean Gibbons said.

Manny Pacquiao evidently is serious about making a comeback at 44.

Sean Gibbons, the future Hall of Famer’s advisor, said his client has agreed to face 147-pound contender Conor Benn and is waiting to hear back from Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter.

No date or potential site has been mentioned.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) hasn’t taken part in a sanctioned bout since August 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas and later ‘retired.’ He took part in an exhibition with DK Yoo this past December.

“Senator Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Conor Benn,” Gibbons told PlanetSport.com. “Do me a favor, call Eddie Hearn. The ball is in his court. Senator Manny Pacquiao is happy to fight Conor Benn.”

Pacquiao turned to politics after walking away from boxing, falling short in his bid to become president of the Philippines in May of last year.

Gibbons said it was around the time of the Yoo event that Pacquiao expressed an interest in fighting again.

“He retired for a minute to run for president of the Philippines, where he took a respectful third place,” Gibbons told ESPN last month. “And after that he felt that his retirement was due to running for president, and now that [he wasn’t elected], he wants to fight again and feels like he can do it at the highest level.”

A fight with Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) would be complicated.

The son of retired champion Nigel Benn was scheduled to face fellow Englishman Chris Eubank Jr. on Oct. 8 but the event was cancelled after Benn tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended.

The WBC ultimately cleared him of intentionally breaking the rules. However, he remains suspended in the U.K., a ruling that likely means the fight would have to take place overseas.

Hearn acknowledged last month that Benn has been in talks with Pacquiao for some time.

“We are in the process of selecting Conor Benn’s next opponent and have been in active talks with Manny Pacquiao’s team,” Hearn told ESPN. “We have had multiple site offers to stage the event and are looking to make an official announcement on Conor’s next fight.”

Pacquiao also has expressed an interest in fighting Kell Brook if he can’t lure Benn into the ring.

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‘Manny Pacquaio has agreed to fight Conor Benn,’ according to advisor

“Manny Pacquaio has agreed to fight Conor Benn,” his advisor Sean Gibbons said.

Manny Pacquiao evidently is serious about making a comeback at 44.

Sean Gibbons, the future Hall of Famer’s advisor, said his client has agreed to face 147-pound contender Conor Benn and is waiting to hear back from Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter.

No date or potential site has been mentioned.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) hasn’t taken part in a sanctioned bout since August 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas and later ‘retired.’ He took part in an exhibition with DK Yoo this past December.

“Senator Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Conor Benn,” Gibbons told PlanetSport.com. “Do me a favor, call Eddie Hearn. The ball is in his court. Senator Manny Pacquiao is happy to fight Conor Benn.”

Pacquiao turned to politics after walking away from boxing, falling short in his bid to become president of the Philippines in May of last year.

Gibbons said it was around the time of the Yoo event that Pacquiao expressed an interest in fighting again.

“He retired for a minute to run for president of the Philippines, where he took a respectful third place,” Gibbons told ESPN last month. “And after that he felt that his retirement was due to running for president, and now that [he wasn’t elected], he wants to fight again and feels like he can do it at the highest level.”

A fight with Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) would be complicated.

The son of retired champion Nigel Benn was scheduled to face fellow Englishman Chris Eubank Jr. on Oct. 8 but the event was cancelled after Benn tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended.

The WBC ultimately cleared him of intentionally breaking the rules. However, he remains suspended in the U.K., a ruling that likely means the fight would have to take place overseas.

Hearn acknowledged last month that Benn has been in talks with Pacquiao for some time.

“We are in the process of selecting Conor Benn’s next opponent and have been in active talks with Manny Pacquiao’s team,” Hearn told ESPN. “We have had multiple site offers to stage the event and are looking to make an official announcement on Conor’s next fight.”

Pacquiao also has expressed an interest in fighting Kell Brook if he can’t lure Benn into the ring.

[lawrence-related id=34724,24139,24137,24135,22603]

Junkie Drawer: Conor Benn cleared by WBC, Ryota Murata retires

Junkie Drawer: Conor Benn has been cleared by the WBC after his failed drug test. Meanwhile, Ryota Murata has announced his retirement.

Editor’s note: This new version of Junkie Drawer will be a vehicle to report the news of the day in bite sized portions.

Did Conor Benn simply eat tainted eggs?

The British welterweight has been reinstated by the WBC, which ruled that the consumption of eggs might’ve caused his failed drug test before his scheduled fight against rival Chris Eubank Jr. last October.

Benn had trace amounts of the fertility drug Clomiphene in his system. Clomiphene, which can raise testosterone levels, evidently is sometimes used to increase egg production in hens.

The WBC said in a statement: “Mr. Benn’s documented and highly-elevated consumption of eggs during the times relevant to the sample collection raised a reasonable explanation for the adverse finding.”

The Benn-Eubank fight was canceled and Benn was removed from the WBC rankings. The son of former champion Nigel Benn was reinstated as a result of the sanctioning body’s latest ruling.

“The WBC shall include Mr. Benn in its ratings during the period immediately following the issuance of its ruling,” the statement read. “Mr. Benn’s position in the WBC Ratings shall be based solely on his merit and the customary factors the WBC Ratings Committee apply to rating boxers.”

Benn also lost his boxing license in the U.K. after his failed test. He reportedly has yet to regain it pending further investigation.

***

Ryota Murata, the 2012 Olympic champion from Japan, said he’s retiring from boxing at 37 years old.

Murata won the middleweight gold medal in the London Games to cap a long amateur career in which he reportedly had a record of 119-18, making him a star in his native country.

He went on to have a successful professional career, becoming a contender only a few years after making his debut.

Murata hit his peak when the WBA elevated him from “regular” to “super” champion after Canelo Alvarez vacated the sanctioning body’s actual championship.

The Tokyo resident tried to unify but was stopped in nine rounds by Gennadiy Golovkin last April in Saitama. That was his most recent fight.

“Inside my head I’m thinking, ‘That was my last [fight],’” Murata said, according to Kyodo News. “I just haven’t been able to announce it [until now], but that’s how I’m thinking personally.”

[lawrence-related id=33158,33140,29251]

Junkie Drawer: Conor Benn cleared by WBC, Ryota Murata retires

Junkie Drawer: Conor Benn has been cleared by the WBC after his failed drug test. Meanwhile, Ryota Murata has announced his retirement.

Editor’s note: This new version of Junkie Drawer will be a vehicle to report the news of the day in bite sized portions.

Did Conor Benn simply eat tainted eggs?

The British welterweight has been reinstated by the WBC, which ruled that the consumption of eggs might’ve caused his failed drug test before his scheduled fight against rival Chris Eubank Jr. last October.

Benn had trace amounts of the fertility drug Clomiphene in his system. Clomiphene, which can raise testosterone levels, evidently is sometimes used to increase egg production in hens.

The WBC said in a statement: “Mr. Benn’s documented and highly-elevated consumption of eggs during the times relevant to the sample collection raised a reasonable explanation for the adverse finding.”

The Benn-Eubank fight was canceled and Benn was removed from the WBC rankings. The son of former champion Nigel Benn was reinstated as a result of the sanctioning body’s latest ruling.

“The WBC shall include Mr. Benn in its ratings during the period immediately following the issuance of its ruling,” the statement read. “Mr. Benn’s position in the WBC Ratings shall be based solely on his merit and the customary factors the WBC Ratings Committee apply to rating boxers.”

Benn also lost his boxing license in the U.K. after his failed test. He reportedly has yet to regain it pending further investigation.

***

Ryota Murata, the 2012 Olympic champion from Japan, said he’s retiring from boxing at 37 years old.

Murata won the middleweight gold medal in the London Games to cap a long amateur career in which he reportedly had a record of 119-18, making him a star in his native country.

He went on to have a successful professional career, becoming a contender only a few years after making his debut.

Murata hit his peak when the WBA elevated him from “regular” to “super” champion after Canelo Alvarez vacated the sanctioning body’s actual championship.

The Tokyo resident tried to unify but was stopped in nine rounds by Gennadiy Golovkin last April in Saitama. That was his most recent fight.

“Inside my head I’m thinking, ‘That was my last [fight],’” Murata said, according to Kyodo News. “I just haven’t been able to announce it [until now], but that’s how I’m thinking personally.”

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