Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Smith press conference gets ugly with ‘homophobic’ row

Chris Eubank Jr. has branded boxing rival Liam Smith a “love cheater” and announced he would “rather be gay than a cheater” during an ugly row at their pre-fight press conference.

Eubank Jr., the 33-year-old son of world champion Chris Eubank Sr., will face the Liverpool native on Saturday night in Manchester.

But during a pre-fight press conference today, the pair engaged in a “homophobic” row in which Smith claimed Eubank Jr. was “gay” before in turn making accusations that Smith was being unfaithful to his girlfriend.

During the acrimonious argument, Eubank Jr. said, “If you want to get dark and personal with it, talk about being gay and do I like girls? I have been told by several sources that you occasionally cheat on your wife.’

Chris Eubank Jr. (left) and Liam Smith (right) started an ugly argument at Thursday’s press conference

Eubank Sr. and Eubank Jr. pictured together after the latter’s win over James DeGale in February 2019

Following the argument, Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse apologized for the “offensive” and “homophobic” language used throughout, while co-host Andy Clarke described what he heard as “personal” and “homophobic”.

Sky Sports also removed the streamed event from its Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel.

Eubank Jr. has since taken to social media, stating, “Well, that escalated quickly.”

The row came after comments by Eubank Jr. earlier this week, in which he revealed Smith, 34, had sent him direct messages on Instagram in the run-up to the fight.

Eubank Jr. referenced the news at Thursday’s news conference, stating, “They slipped into my DMs. I’m used to seeing girls in my DMs, I’m not used to seeing boys.

Smith, a former super welterweight world champion, then responded: “Chris, you’re talking about girls, mate, has anyone ever seen you in this room with a girl?

“Have you anything to say to us? Because you are 33. do you want to tell us something Because no one in this room has ever seen you with a woman.”

Eubank Jr. tried to bring the conversation back to the task at hand, insisting that personal matters should not be publicly questioned.

“Listen, my personal life is my personal life,” Eubank Jr. replied. “It’s irrelevant to boxing, but I’m happy, I’m comfortable.”

Eubank Jr. followed another prompt from Smith, who again asked, “Is there anything you would like to share with us?” You can insert my DMs or you can do it right away.’

Smith then replied: “I’m not like that mate, I like women.”

The British rivals got more and more personal during today’s press conference

Taking to social media after the press conference, Eubank Jr. admitted the dispute had “quickly escalated.”

Smith started the argument by asking if Eubank Jr. had anything to say, saying, “No one in this room has ever seen you with a woman.”

Eubank Jr. insisted his personal life was irrelevant to boxing, but later accused Smith of cheating on his wife

Smith responded to allegations of cheating on his partner (left): “You don’t have a wife to cheat on.”

Later in the press conference, Eubank Jr. revisited the earlier argument, this time accusing his upcoming opponent of cheating on his wife “on occasion.”

He said: “If you want to get dark and personal, talk about being gay and do I like girls? I have been told by several sources that you occasionally cheat on your wife.

“So glass houses, mate. Let’s stick to personal things. I’d rather be gay than a cheater.”

This was met with a response that read, “You have no wife to cheat on.”

Eubank Jr. is stepping into the ring for the first time since beating Liam Williams in February 2022, with his fight against Conor Benn in October being scrapped after the latter failed two pre-fight drug tests.

Smith, on the other hand, last beat Hassan Mwakinyo in September last year.