With his career on the line, Chris Eubank Jr. delivers top performance to stop Liam Smith in rematch

Chris Eubank Jr. said last week that it took a “miracle” for that Liam Smith was victorious in their first encounter. 

Eubank proved his point by flooring Smith in round four and stopping him in round 10 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. 

"I had to beat Liam tonight, said Eubank after the fight. "Liam is a warrior. I needed this."

In the opening round, Eubank, who looked much edgier than he did before the first fight, jabbed and moved to his right. Smith, behind a high guard, bobbed and weaved. Smith fired a quick right as Eubank grabbed him. Lots of holding – not much landed. 

Smith clipped Eubank with a right to the hip in round two. Eubank (33-3, 24 KOs) jabbed and fired a combination. Seconds later an uppercut touched Smith. His activity was more than enough to bank the round. 

In round three, Eubank scored with a left hook. Eubank opened up. Smith (33-4, 20 KOs) was having a hard time timing the faster Eubank. A right hand just missed. Eubank fought back efficiently. Eubank had found a rhythm. It was up to Smith to do something to trip him up. His ankle appeared to be bothering him. Eubank landed a sharp combination in round four. An uppercut floored Smith. The former champion got up quickly. Eubank fired shots – a big left hook hurt Smith. 

Eubank unloaded on Smith in round five. He was trying to end the fight right now. Smith took the shots and occasionally fired back. Eubank’s hooks were catching Smith consistently. Eubank landed a sharp uppercut in round six. Smith let a right go. Eubank was busier. His jab was on point. Smith was backing up as the heat ended. 

In round seven, Eubank kept up the pace. Smith’s fans were looking for something to cheer—Eubank popped Smith in the nose. Eubank fired jab after jab in round eight. He was cruising. Smith wasn’t offering much back. Eubank worked up and down. The round was again his. Both fighters landed rights in round nine. Eubank fired his left. It scored. Two left uppercuts were true from Eubank. Two rights bothered Smith. 

Round 10 was more of the same. Smith went down again from a combination. Smith was exhausted and beat. But he wouldn’t quit. The referee jumped in as Eubank pounded on Smith along the ropes.

The time was  1:45 mins into round 10.