CHRIS EUBANK JR was left with a suspected broken orbital bone in his crushing loss to Liam Smith.
Eubank hit the canvas for the first time in his professional career in round four of the middleweight clash in Manchester.
GettyLiam Smith knocked out Chris Eubank Jr[/caption]
ReutersChris Eubank Jr congratulates Liam Smith[/caption]
Smith, 34, landed a barrage of hooks in the corner and forced the shock knockdown.
As Eubank, 33, unsteadily got to his feet, Smith rushed in to finish the job and bundled his man to the ground.
Eubank bravely made it up but the referee was left with no choice but to call a halt to the fight.
He was left with a horror eye swell and faces a potential broken orbital bone.
Eubank has a rematch clause in his contract, which could fall at Anfield.
And Smith – who warned to expect the unexpected – delivered on his promise.
He said: “I knew all week that I could hurt Chris, I have beaten better guys than Chris and I have proven my chin. I have coped with better guys than Chris.
“I was judging the distance better as the fight went on and I knew I would get to him in the end.
“I had said I would hurt him and I wasn’t taking the mick. I knew he could not hurt me and I knew I could hurt him.
“This is the best atmosphere I have ever felt. I said all week that Chris was kidding people about his chin.
“I knew I could hurt him, I knew I was the bigger puncher and that’s a fact. If Chris wants the rematch we can do that on my terms.
“I agreed to the rematch clause beforehand so we can see, I can beat all the best fights at 160lbs and 154lbs.”
PAChris Eubank Jr was floored twice in defeat[/caption]