Sky Sports had been compelled to apologise after “homophobic remarks” had been made between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr at their pre-fight press convention.
The Liverpudlian provoked his rival forward of their all-British middleweight grudge match on Saturday evening on the Manchester Arena.
The former world champion confronted Eubank Jr about his personal life and urged his rival to return out.
But Eubank Jr appeared to giggle off Smith’s makes an attempt to unsettle him, stating: “my private life is my private life”.
He then made a private insult of his personal regarding his rival’s relationship along with his spouse earlier than including: “If you would like to ask me a question just slide into my DMs.”
Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse would later intervene to express regret on behalf of the broadcaster.
She mentioned: “We would like to apologise if you have been offended by the offensive language, personal and homophobic remarks made up on stage.”
Eubank Jr vowed the pair will “settle our differences in a couple of days’ time”.
“It escalated quickly – and that’s OK,” Eubank Jr advised PA. “This is boxing, this is the entertainment business, this is the fight game and this is real.
“People react to fighting a man in different ways. He embarrassed himself up there but it’s OK. We’re going to fight it out and settle our differences in a couple of days’ time.
“It’s crossed a line and for people looking at it, it’s wrong. We shouldn’t act like that. It’s fight week, we’re both starving and making weight. If anyone took it personally, I apologise.
“It was always going to get a little bit heated like that. At the end of the day it’s just words. Just take it with a pinch of salt.”
The bout, which materialised within the aftermath of Eubank Jr’s cancelled battle with Conor Benn, following his failed medication assessments, has endured a bitter build-up.
Eubank Jr and Smith have beforehand shared the ring throughout sparring classes, with common taunts regarding their exchanges and who got here out on high.
Smith is adamant, regardless of transferring as much as 160 lbs, that dimension distinction is not going to be a deciding issue within the battle.
Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith come face to face
(Getty)
“Don’t be fooled, thinking Chris Eubank is going to walk all over me because it’s at 160,” mentioned the Merseyside fighter. “If you want to shoot your shots early doors, make sure you don’t miss, mate. If he comes to me to make a fight, he knows I meet fire with fire.
“And that’s if he’s got the legs to do that for 12 rounds at 160. He’s going to have to go some to budge me – not many people have. Canelo [Alvarez] done me with a body shot; he was the best fighter in the world.
“Nobody else has come close and Chris Eubank Jr. is not going to come close either. If he comes for me early doors, he’s in for a long night.
“If he tries to outbox me, good luck to you. Hopefully, your size works in your favour because I don’t think you have the fundamentals to box me like that.”
