By Mark Eisner: Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith will settle their grudge match tonight in their highly anticipated middleweight bout scheduled for 12 rounds, shown on DAZN in the U.S and Sky Box Office in the UK at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.
Boxing News will provide LIVE updates & results beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.
- Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs) registered his fourth knockout, stopping a game Argentinian Kevin Nicolas Espindola (7-7, 2 KOs) in a fight scheduled for six rounds. The 26-year-old Espindola suffered a right hand injury and couldn’t continue after the fourth round. Both fighters looked painfully slow as they plodded around the ring. In the fourth, Espindola fought with his back against the ropes in the corner, making himself an easy target for Clarke to load up with his right hands to nail him repeatedly. It wasn’t entertaining to watch because Espindola had nothing to offer to keep the 31-year-old Clarke off him. The fight showed that Clarke has a long, long way to go before he is ready to challenge for a world title. Frazer’s lack of speed was disappointing and looked exhausted after the fight. He had that rubber look that suggested that he was greatly fatigued. Referee James Kilpatrick stopped the contest at 3:00 of round four.
In undercard fights, the dangerous two-time WBO cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki (32-3, 20 KOs) takes on the unbeaten, highly regarded Richard Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KO).
Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (30-3, 21 KO) will be taking on Jack Massey (20-1, 11 KO) in a confidence-builder match-up to get a win under his belt after being stopped by Joe Joyce in his previous fight.
Undercard
Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki
Joseph Parker vs. Jack Massey
Ekow Essuman vs. Chris Kongo
Frazer Clarke vs. Kevin Espindola
Matty Harris vs. Jiri Surmaj
Scott Forrest vs. Amine Boucetta
Eubank Jr vows to punish Smith
“Do I respect the way he talks and the things he says? Absolutely not,” said Chris Eubank Jr to Lightweight Boxing about Liam Smith.
“We’re going to see if I get booed in this arena or if I get cheered,” Eubank Jr said when asked if he’ll be seen as the villain by the fans. “I’m the same guy I was four months ago.
“People say I may be the good guy now, or I’m the fan favorite, whatever you want to call it. I’m still the same guy. Do I prefer it? I haven’t experienced it yet. We’re going to find out.
“The thing that were said up there don’t affect the outcome of the fight. It doesn’t affect my game plan and what I want to do with this guy once that bell goes.
“The plan is for me to go out there and take these guys out, destroy these guys. If he wants to make it personal, good. It’s going to give me a little more enjoyment as I’m putting him on the canvas.
“World titles,” Eubank Jr said when asked what is more critical for him, winning a world title or fighting Conor Benn. “We want Golovkin. I’ve said it.
“I’m getting bored of saying it. It’s at the point now where I need these belts, and he has them, and he’s the big name in the middleweight division. I’m the biggest money fight out there for him.
“I’m the fight that people want to see him fight the most. So there’s no reason why this fight shouldn’t be made, and then after that, we can take care of Conor Benn.
“Whatever he’s trying to say as far as my sexuality, I don’t cuddle anybody. I cuddle my girlfriend; that’s about it. But will we shake hands? You guys will have to wait and see,” said Eubank Jr about Liam.
