Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith: What was said that prompted Sky Sports to issue an apology?
Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Smith exchanged comments during a heated news conference yesterday in the lead-up to the all-British fight on Saturday that was deemed inappropriate for broadcast.
The insults grew more personal and homophobic as the two talked, and Sky was ultimately compelled to remove their live coverage from their YouTube page. The coverage has now compelled the broadcaster to apologize.
What was spoken between Eubank Jr. and Smith?
Prior to their middleweight fight, former WBO light middleweight champion Liam Smith questioned the se*uality of Eubank Jr., intensifying an already violent dispute.
In reaction, Eubank accused Smith of having an extramarital affair with his wife, starting a childish argument with foul language.
Chris, you talk about girls, mate. Has anyone in this room ever seen you with a girl? Smith aggravated an already tense situation by asking, “Has anyone in this room ever seen you with a girl? Do you have anything to share with us? Mostly since 33. Do you have anything to share with us? Considering that no one in this room has ever witnessed you with a woman.
Things between Eubank Jr. and Smith are getting far too personal in the video.
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 had claimed that Smith had slipped into his Direct Messages, which was unusual for a man. This was in response.
Eubank attempted to refocus the spotlight on boxing after the jab by saying, “Listen, my private life is my private life. Even if it has nothing to do with boxing, I’m content and at ease.
Despite this, Eubank initially refrained from delving deeper into the subject, but later in the conference, Eubank would once more bring the conversation back to this theme. Smith persisted nonetheless as he made additional, comparable assertions.
“If you want to go dark and personal, how about we discuss my se*ual orientation and if I like girls? I’ve heard from a number of people that you occasionally cheat on your wife. Glass houses do indeed meet. Let’s simply unwind in terms of personal matters. I’d rather not be a cheat than gay.
Liam Smith, according to Chris Eubank Jr., “embarrassed himself.” in an argumentative exchange.
Prior to their middleweight matchup on Saturday night, Chris Eubank Jr. believes Liam Smith “embarrassed himself” by engaging in an unpleasant slanging match with his British foe.
When Smith asked, “You ramble on about girls, has anyone in this room ever seen you with a girl?,” he implied something. I’m not looking for laughs; rather, I want to know if you want to share something with us.
My private life is my private existence, Eubank Jr. Even though it has no bearing on boxing, I feel content and at ease. Discussing your sexual orientation if you want to get personal? You allegedly cheat on your wife, I’ve heard. I’d rather not be a cheat than gay.
Following their exchange of words, Sky Sports anchor Anna Woolhouse apologized live on air for the “personal and homophobic insults uttered up on stage.”
After the incident, Eubank Jr. told the PA news agency: “It quickly escalated, and that’s OK. This is boxing, a legitimate kind of entertainment, a real fight, and a business.
Video: Eubank Jr vs. Smith presser & Sky Sports apology
“You haven’t got a missus to cheat on,” Smith retorted.
After the telecast, Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse was compelled to apologize for the conference’s profanity because it was a nasty argument.
“We wish to apologize for any offensive language or homophobic remarks that may have been spoken. The back and forth between the two was simply below the belt; it wasn’t necessary and wasn’t at all necessary today. There are no defenses for such sort of behavior.
Co-host Andy Clarke emphasized this point by labeling the language used as “personal” and “homophobic.”
A nasty incident all around that has Sky Sports looking a little red in the face.
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