The buildup to Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith's middleweight bout on Saturday night was marred by a controversial press conference on Thursday, in which Eubank was unexpectedly forced to respond to questions from Smith relating to his sexuality.
Trash talk among boxers is nothing new, but Smith's comments crossed over into an entirely different realm, as he repeatedly pushed Eubank to make a supposed revelation about his private life, something the fighter understandably refused to do.
When the fighters emerged for the weigh-in on Friday, Eubank was seen donning a rainbow armband over his Manchester United jersey, in an act of defiance against Smith's questionable intimidation tactic.
Chris Eubank responds to Liam Smith's questions about his sexuality
Chris Eubank Jr is shaping up to face Liam Smith in Manchester on Saturday night, but was subjective to an unpleasant intimidation tactic from the Liverpudlian during Thursday's media day.
Eubank was taken aback when Smith began questioning him about his private life at the press event, repeatedly suggesting that nobody in the room had "ever seen" Eubank with a woman.
Smith also continually asked Eubank if he had "something he wanted to tell" the crowd, in a shocking intimidation tactic surrounding Eubank's sexuality.
It got personal today… it will get even more personal on Saturday #EubankSmith pic.twitter.com/wGgHvI2WBJ
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) January 19, 2023
Eubank called Smith's bluff and called out his opponent, firstly for the insinuation that he was gay, and secondly for the association with that being something worth mocking anyone for.
He jabbed back by saying Smith had taken the place of Tony Bellew as the most unpleasant opponent from Liverpool he had come across, and made suggestions of past infidelities by Smith against his wife.
The entire press conference was unsavoury, and all emerged from Smith's comments, which many denounced as homophobic, including the UK Stonewall Foundation.
🥊🏳️🌈 “Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic comments have no place in sport… these instances show why it’s so important for boxers, coaches and individuals to keep up the fight for inclusion” - @stonewalluk on Eubank Jr vs Smith (via @IndySport)https://t.co/pntZoWND4J
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) January 20, 2023
Eubank would present a defiant stand against Smith's problematic comments, by emerging for Friday's weigh-in donning an armband in the design of the rainbow flag - synonymous with the LGBT+ Pride movement.
In a tweet, Eubank shared a photo of him wearing the armband saying: "We don't discriminate... we don't alienate. We want boxing & sport as a whole, to be all inclusive."
We don’t discriminate… we don’t alienate. We want boxing & sport as a whole, to be all inclusive. pic.twitter.com/coyvvV0HM8
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) January 20, 2023
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