'Out of nowhere': British boxing star Chris Eubank Jr's five-year streak ended by brutal Liam Smith KO
Liam Smith has sensationally knocked out Chris Eubank Jr to inflict his countryman's first stoppage defeat of his career.
Coming into the fight, Eubank Jr had been undefeated since 2018, but was dropped twice in quick succession in the fourth round before the referee ended the fight shortly after.
"I said all week I'm a good finisher and I knew if I got him hurt that I would finish him," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live.
FOLLOW LIVE: Australian Open 2023 day seven
READ MORE: Cricket world divided over bizarre dead ball call
READ MORE: Aussie's struggle revealed by 'proud' partner
"Name me a Chris Eubank fight that has been respectful - not many."
Chris Eubank Jr with an injury to his right cheek following defeat to Liam Smith in the middleweight bout at the AO Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday January 21, 2023. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images
Earlier in the week in their press conference, Smith threw homophobic taunts at Eubank, before Eubank made his own remarks about Smith's hometown of Liverpool.
Eubank arrived at the weigh-in wearing a rainbow armband.
Smith defended the comments to the BBC, before saying he is still up for a rematch.
"Something I said may have come across wrong and I apologise for anyone offended by that. I respect everybody and it was just tongue in cheek with Chris," he said.
"There's not many fighters who can milk a crowd like I can. That was up there with the best nights in my career.
"I'll do the rematch on my terms."
Chris Eubank Jr v Liam Smith at Manchester Arena on January 21, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Getty
Smith ended the fight with a flurry of fists. Eubank Jr emerged from the ring with a massive welt under his right eye.
"Big congratulations to him, he caught me with a great shot," Eubank Jr said in the ring after the fight.
"The build-up was the build-up, it got a bit ugly at the end. I regretted that. I respect you, I respect your family, I always have.
"If the fans want to see a rematch, we can get it on at Anfield. Big respect, man."
Every fight of Tim Tszyu's career: Aussie's unbeaten run ends in bloody defeat to Sebastian Fundora
