Despite Suffering Supposed Ankle Injury Mid-Fight, Liam Smith Embraces Chris Eubank Jr. Loss

Chris Eubank Jr. found his moment of redemption on the 2nd of September. He entered the ring against his old rival, Liam Smith. The Manchester fight between them was the second chapter in the story that began almost 9 months ago. In January, Smith defeated Eubank Jr in a fourth-round knockout. This time, Eubank Jr. right from the beginning went ahead with a crusade. He served his opponent with lethal blows. As the 10th round arrived, the fighter in all his might threw a flurry of punches. This pushed the referee to intervene and rule a knockout.

However, throughout the ten rounds, it was clear that Smith had fallen back. In rounds 5 and 6, it almost seemed like Smith had given up as he failed to be mobile. He rather stood static taking all the blows his opponent threw his way. Come the 7th round, onlookers realized that the fighter was struggling with his right ankle, indicating an injury that kept him from winning.

Liam Smith is all about giving credit where due

As Liam Smith conceded defeat against his opponent, ‘Next Gen’ Eubank Jr., he knew what had gone in the ring. As situations persisted to remain against him, the fighter took accountability where needed for his defeat. However, while most attributed his loss to the injury he incurred, he kept all circumstantial factors aside. He said, “I couldn’t move my feet back and when I did I rolled my ankle. It’s just one of them things, Chris was the better man tonight, that’s it. I shout when I win, I’ll take the defeat when I lose.”

‘Beefy’ Smith on the other hand was heavily praised by his opponent. Despite a resounding victory, Next Gen said, “Liam is a warrior, I respect him, I respect his whole team and his family and his brothers. Speaking further on the support Beefy had by his side, Next Gen said, ”They always come out, they always put it on the line. He didn’t give up, he fought till the last second. So big up to Liam and his team.”

How did the fighters split the money?

Interestingly, both fighters came to an amicable decision. They decided that both would both take an identical paycheck of a million for their rematch. However, coming to the pay-per-view earnings, the results of their initial matchup shadowed the split percentages. Since it was Beefy that won the January fight, he is entitled to a 60% split of the pay-per-view revenue while Eubank Jr. will take the remaining 40%.

Therefore, after estimates, it is reported that Eubank Jr. is set to take £2.4 million from the equivalent amount of sales. On the other hand, Smith, despite his loss will go home with an impressive £3.5 million in contrast to a projected 600,000 PPV sales.

Also Read: “It’s a Shame These Days”: Before Avenging Liam Smith Loss, Chris Eubank Jr. Dared His Rivals to Try Breaking His Spirit

As Liam Smith embarks on the journey to heal from the loss given to him and the injury he’s incurred, there are calls in the boxing realm for a trilogy fight. Will the fighters undertake another fight to break the tie is something that needs to be figured out at a later stage. Now, the imperative topic of discussion for Smith remains about his future matches. With whom will he contest next?

Let us know in the comments section below if you think a trilogy fight would be the befitting closure to this matchup.

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