Liam Smith admitted ballooning to cruiserweight after suffering an injury that delayed his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. to Saturday night.
The weight cut ended badly for Smith after the Liverpool man shed 42 pounds [three UK stones] to make the weight of 160 pounds.
From the start of the contest in Manchester, “Beefy” couldn’t get a foothold. Eubank dominated for ten rounds before eventually ending his misery.
Discussing his training camp problems, Smith told Sky Sports: “I think everyone knows, and Chris knows how I was with the weight, and to say that [jibes] at the weigh-in.
“After the injury, I came down three stone [42 pounds]. So [that is] a lot of weight to shift in a short space of time.
“But that’s all I can put my finger on. I was flat. I was as flat as they come. From the get-go, I couldn’t move my feet. Chris was sharp early on, so fair play to him.”
Liam Smith’s problems against Chris Eubank Jr
After many focused on Smith’s ankles as a potential problem in the fight, the Liverpool man dismissed the notion.
“I rolled it in around round two or three, I think. But I’ve done that before in fights. It was more just, like, being flat. That just killed me.”
He concluded by giving Eubank his props.
“Chris was the better man tonight. I shout when I win. I take my defeat when I lose.”
Eubank Jr. took revenge for his devastating knockout loss in January this year. He came out all guns blazing but in a controlled manner.
He picked Smith apart from the first round and punished him for ten rounds before gaining the stoppage victory at the AO Arena, Manchester.
A third fight would be a consideration. However, Eubank may want to explore other options before looking at the Smith trilogy for late next year.
It could even take place at 168 pounds to give more justification after Eubank completely dominated.
Kell Brook, Conor Benn, and Gennadiy Golovkin were all mentioned by the former world title challenger following his victory.
Eubank vs Smith 2 – Full Card Results:
Chris Eubank Jr bt Liam Smith – TKO Round 10 (1:45)
Adam Azim bt Aram Fanyan – UD (98-92, 100-90, 99-91)
Frazer Clarke bt Dave Allen – RTD Rd 6 – (3:00)
Jack Cullen bt Mark Heffron – TKO Rd 3 (2:43)
Mikaela Mayer bt Silvia Bortot – PTS (100-90)
Florian Marku bt Dylan Moran – TKO Rd 1 (0:54)
Lauren Price bt Lolita Muzeya – TD (Rd 6) 60-53
Frankie Stringer bt Engel Gomez – PTS 60-54
