Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith punished over "homophobic" row during face-off
Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith have both been fined unspecified amounts by the British Boxing Board of Control for misconduct over controversial comments made at their pre-fight press conference earlier this year.
Eubank Jr and Smith went head-to-head in a boxing clash at the AO Manchester Arena in January to settle their bitter rivalry which had threatened to spill over during fight week. The pair came face-to-face in an explosive fight week press conference where the pair traded verbal barbs, leaving Sky Sports forced to apologise for a series of "homophobic" comments during the exchanges.
The British Boxing Board of Control issued a statement confirming that the pair would face investigation into the incident with the possibility of disciplinary action being taken. And they have now decided to fine both fighters after concluding that process.
A BBBoC statement read: “The Stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control considered comments made by Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr at the press conference dated January 19 2023 at their meeting on Wednesday April 12 2023.
“Mr Smith did not appear nor was legally represented. Mr Eubank Jr did not
appear but was legally represented.
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“Following full consideration of all facts placed before the Stewards, the Stewards found that the misconduct charge was proven for both boxers.
“Mr Smith and Mr. Eubank Jr were both fined, payment to be made within twenty-eight days.”
Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith were involved in a heated argumentEubank Jr wore a rainbow armband at the weigh-in that proceeded just the day after as it emerged just hours before that the pair were being investigated for their comments. The son of boxing legend Eubank was replying to comments which were made by his long-term foe in relation to his sexuality.
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. 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 quickly hit 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."
Smith produced a shock win over Eubank Jr in their fight (PA)Do you think Chris Eubank Jr can become world champion again? Let us know in the comments section below
After the comments were widely criticised, Eubank Jr decided to hit out at his rival at the weigh-in for making the comments, accusing him of being "rattled" when making the accusations. Smith then issued an apology for his actions and admitted that the personal exchange with Eubank Jr had no place in the sport.
"It’s crossed a line and for people looking at it, it’s wrong," he said. "We shouldn’t act like that. It’s fight week, we’re both starving and making weight. If anyone took it personally, I apologise. It was always going to get a little bit heated like that. At the end of the day it’s just words. Just take it with a pinch of salt."
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