Eubank avenges loss in one-sided 10th-round destruction of Smith

On the undercard: Azim routs Fanyan; Clarke stops Allen; Mayer dominates Bortot, eyes Jonas

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Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. delivered a career-best performance when it counted the most on Saturday.

With many believing that a second straight loss to British countryman Liam Smith in their rematch would spell the end for Eubank in major bouts, he turned the tables on his rival in a one-sided beatdown en route to a punishing 10th-round knockout in the main event of the Boxxer card at AO Arena in Manchester, England.

It was inside the same arena on Jan. 2 that former junior middleweight titlist Smith, the underdog, shockingly knocked out Eubank, who had never been previously stopped despite two defeats, in the fourth round.

Eubank, who called Smith’s unexpected win a “miracle,” exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch, which was scheduled for June 17, postponed until July 1 when Smith tweaked his back in training and then delayed again until Saturday, because Smith needed additional recovery time.

Whether the additional time to prepare was good for Eubank nobody will know but he dominated Smith from start to finish and now, even without a world title, is one of the biggest names in a lackluster 160-pound division in need of a jolt given that it is at its lowest point in years.

Eubank knocked Smith down twice, cut him badly over the right eye and pounded him round after round to avenge the loss.

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