Smith-Eubank 2 Final Press Conference

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Photo: Lawrence Lustig / BOXXER

A fiery exchange between middleweights Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr concluded today’s press conference when they faced off in Manchester today ahead of this Saturday’s highly-anticipated rematch at the AO Arena, airing in the US on ESPN+ and in the UK and Ireland as a Sky Sports Box Office pay-per-view.

Smith stopped Eubank Jr in the first minute of the fourth round in their January encounter in the same venue, but Eubank’s confidence seemed undented when he confronted Smith at today’s press conference. Even now he was unwilling to acknowledge that Smith, with the first win behind him, was the better fighter of the two.

“If he pulls it off again, I can’t argue with it,” said Eubank. “But the performance I’m going to have on Saturday night is going to be exquisite, super-natural.”

Eubank has referred to Smith’s stoppage win as a “miracle” for the Liverpool man and a feat unlikely to be repeated, a claim which drew derision from Smith.

“Which shot was the miracle, Chris? The miracle was how easy it was!” he said. “If he makes the same mistakes, I’ll punish him for them.”

Eubank does acknowledge he is in this position for the first time – rematching an opponent who’s defeated him. “It is a new pressure that I have never had to deal with before. But I’m enjoying it,” he said.

“I’m enjoying the hardship I’m having to go through mentally and physically to execute the game plan on the night.

“I’m excited to go out there and see how I react.”


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Photo: Lawrence Lustig / BOXXER

Florian Marku and Dylan Moran had a fiery interaction when they faced off, with Marku afterwards claiming Moran had trembled during the staredown.

“He was shaking when we were face to face, he tried to hide it. If you see the videos from the cameras, he was shaking his legs,” he said.

“I’m going to hunt him. I know he’s going to try to box, he going to try to run, but I will be too much for him.”

Moran laughed this off, “Never in my life will I shake in front of you… I am the superior boxer. It’s been a long and tough journey to get here today and I won’t let Florian Marku rob me of that.

“He’s standing in my way. It’s been a lifetime of hard work to be sat here and I plan on finishing the job Saturday night.”


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Photo: Lawrence Lustig / BOXXER

Another fight on the undercard which is generating excitement is the heavyweight clash between Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke and David Allen.

Allen will look for a huge upset on Saturday night and although he knows his task is a tricky one, he is confident of victory.

Allen said: “I’ve known him a very long time. I’ve known him since 2012. We’ve done a lot of rounds together [in sparring]. I know what he’s capable of. He’s a very good fighter. I’ve been out for a long time. I know it’s a difficult ask for me, but I expect to win. I wouldn’t be here if not.”

Clarke, 7-0 as a professional, was last out in June where he dominated Mariusz Wach over 10 rounds to secure a unanimous decision and looks to continue his winning ways.

He said: “I come to win fights and have my hand raised at the end. My job is to land more leather on Dave Allen than he lands on me.”

‘Big Fraze’ also responded to Allen’s claims he is the better boxer, he said: “Dave outboxing me is like me saying that I’m going to become an underwear model for Calvin Klein. I just can’t see it happening.”

Undefeated prospect Adam Azim takes on his toughest challenge in 23-1 Aram Fanyan and although Azim has only eight professional fights under his belt, he is relishing the challenge.

The 21-year-old said: “I’m treating every single fight like a world title fight. I’ve got to take fights like this to develop myself and I feel like my confidence has doubled up. This is going to be the best performance you have ever seen in your life.”

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  • Might be the end of the line for Jr if he loses again. Can’t imagine he’d be content with just sticking around as a gatekeeper type or fighting…. like a Kell Brook as a last fight or something.

    • I kinda like both of these guys, but the way Smith beat him last time makes me think he beats him again.

  • Chris the punk eubank je is gonna be like his old man eubank Sr and both Will be in the ring floor one and done scum get the strecher and put his bass in the hss hospital or call the coroner cause he’s gonna get murdered in there

    • Wow. You certainly live up to your moniker of “Trash Talker.” I credit you for your commitment to the craft.

  • Not sure how you go from a knockout loss to a “super natural” performance. Doubt it will be in the 4th again but I’m sure Beefy will catch up with him sooner or later

  • Eubank Jr is nothing special. He lost badly the first time, exposing his immense limitations. Despite his tough-talking rhetoric, I don’t expect a different outcome with this second fight.

  • Eubank Jr. seems to be missing that little something extra that moves you from C/B class to B/A class. However he is very well spoken and I enjoy listening to him more than any other fighter. Hopefully he doesn’t suffer too much damage in his career because he will make a good commentator after he hangs up the gloves. I think he has the skill and ability to win, but Smith is a gritty fighter whos hard to deal with. Does anyone know why Smith is suspended by New York State Athletic Commission indefinitely?

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