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B.The first big fight of the year between Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Smith in Manchester on Saturday night was a controversial and postponed match that cast a deep shadow over the controversial sport last October. Three months ago, Eubank Jr. was set to take on Connor Benn in a highly hyped catchweight promo built on the animosity between fathers over 30 years ago. bottom.
Eubank Jr. is middleweight and has had relative success at super-middleweight (168 lbs), while Ben is at welterweight (147 lbs). The size difference meant that fights should never have been agreed, even at a compromised weight of 157 pounds, but money always wipes out boxing’s decency and intellectual competition. After a staggering amount of attention for the build-up, it was ultimately disappointing how the promoters tried to move the fight forward despite Ben testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene. And there was nothing but anger, a drug that can increase testosterone levels in men.
The ensuing results have taken a serious toll on boxing, especially since it was revealed that Ben had failed an earlier drug test for clomiphene. Set out to find “evidence” that there is, this week he claimed that “science” acquitted him and that “evidence doesn’t lie”. It is difficult to find anyone who seriously believes that the test results of
In response to this dire situation, Eubank Jr chose to accept a tougher challenge in his fight against Smith. Smith fights primarily at super-welterweight, one division less than Saturday’s middleweight contest, so he’s still the bigger guy, but Eubank Jr. has been playing in the paid ranks since 2008. We know a tough and experienced pro. Smith has.He has lost 3 of 36 fights but he is world champion and the formidable Saul who stopped him in the 9th round in 2016. I exchanged punches with “Canelo” Alvarez.
At 33, Eubank Jr. is a year younger than Smith and has fallen short twice, losing to Billie Joe Saunders and George Groves. However, he is improving under a new trainer in the great former world champion Roy Jones Jr., and Eubank steps into the ring as a slight favourite. It looks like it will, but Eubank Jr thinks it will eventually prove to be too big and too strong for Smith. But it wouldn’t be too surprising if Smith got a small win.
The evenly balanced nature of the match, in which both fighters have their limits at very high levels, is reinforced by the fact that a loss would be a crushing blow for the loser. I know I have a lot to lose,” Smith admits. “I’m afraid of losing to an opponent who should never lose. And I feel that I must not lose to Eubank Jr.”
Eubank Jr has issued a more urgent statement. he is in danger. Winning is the most important thing in my life at the moment. He told me last week that this was a fight for “purists” and would be Smith’s second middleweight bout, scheduled for 12 rounds, but Eubank Jr. I hope.
A potentially engaging domestic showdown should be seen by as wide an audience as possible to dispel the bitter taste left behind by Ben’s debacle. But of course, the boxing conspiracy meant it became a pay-for-view offering in an attempt to squeeze more money out of patient fans. Unlike the Ben vs. Eubank Jr. scandal or last month’s horrific pay-per-view massacre, in which Tyson Fury beat hapless Derek Chisora for the third time, this is a real contest with lots of needles.
There was a depressing scene at Thursday’s press conference when Smith upset Eubank Jr. by resorting to homophobic provocation. He then wore a rainbow armband for Friday’s weigh-in. Like Eubank, he apologized for his own barbed reactions. They may not think much of such a lofty goal, but Eubank Jr. and Smith believe that due to British boxing’s tarnished reputation and their own very personal ambitions, are fighting
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