20 January 2023 , 11:58
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Tony Bellew has mocked Chris Eubank Jr for failing to become a world champion after the boxer slammed him as the "biggest a***hole" to come out of Liverpool.
Eubank Jr was ranting about his opponent for tomorrow night's Manchester showdown; Liam Smith, when he quipped that his rival had overtaken Bellew to become the most unlikeable figure from Merseyside. Bellew, who works for rival broadcaster DAZN, has history with Eubank Jr dating back to 2017, when the Brighton native joined David Haye's camp.
Then-cruiserweight champion, Bellew mocked Eubank Jr for winning an IBO title on ITV pay-per-view, telling fans that he had seen "better belts at Matalan". And it appears that the rivalry lives to this day, with Eubank Jr yesterday using Bellew as an example of Liverpool's biggest "a***hole" while insulting Smith.
“I used to think Tony Bellew was the biggest a***hole to come out of Liverpool, but now it’s Liam Smith," Eubank Jr quipped, eliciting a furious Twitter response. “He’s correct I am Liverpool’s biggest a***hole," Bellew wrote. "But I’m an a***hole who’s won far more than he ever will. He also needs to return that blag belt he parades around with back to Brighton pier arcades where he won it.”
Eubank Jr and Smith had a vicious verbal battle at yesterday's press conference, with broadcaster Sky Sports forced to apologise for certain comments made by the Scouse fighter. Presenter Anna Woolhouse intervened after the pair's heated exchange, saying: “We would like to apologise if you have been offended by the offensive language, personal and homophobic remarks made up on stage.”
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The comments in question were made by both men during a heated exchange where Smith began questioning if Eubank Jr had a partner. Smith shouted: "You go on about girls, has anybody in this room ever seen you with a girl? You got something to tell us? You are 33 and you said on the programme you want kids.
Tony Bellew has taken aim at Chris Eubank Jr (Getty Images)What did you make of Chris Eubank Jr's comments at yesterday's press conference? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
"This is for no laughs I am just asking, do you want to tell us something? You are putting up pictures with Neymar in limousines. No-one in this room has seen you with a women. If you are happy just tell us; it isn't a dig. You have to have a women to have a kid."
Eubank Jr snapped back, responding: "Listen, my private life is my private life. That is irrelevant to the boxing but I am happy and comfortable. What would you like to know Liam? If you want to get personal, talking about being gay? I've been told you cheat on your wife. I'd rather be gay than a cheat. If you would like to ask me a question just slide into my DMs."
The British Boxing Board of Control have also commented on the heated exchange, with General Secretary Robert Smith writing in a statement today: "The British Boxing Board of Control are aware of the comments made by Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr at yesterday's press conference, and the Stewards of The Board will be considering the conduct of both Boxers directly."