Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith | SKY PPV - 21 January 2023

[jameswilson]

When you watch AJ v Bowling pin the knockdowns and the finish in slow mo some of it is scary.

I swear he throws an uppercut that pretty much wraps Johnson’s jaw out up and round the top of his head.

[jameswilson]

Also Frazer was on security for the AJ fight before he fought bowling pin.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What is this supposed to be?

Was rumoured that Frazier Clarke would fight Rydell Booker. Turns out it’s false.

Fat Dan had it on his schedule too.

[dan28uk]

Also Frazer was on security for the AJ fight before he fought bowling pin.

mateys lucky johnson didn't give him a slap

[maverick23]

2 fights confirmed for the undercard.

Riakporhe vs Glowacki - a good fight and will show us how good Riakporhe is.

And…

Joseph Parker vs Jack Massey. Crazy fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Good rebuild fight?

[keithmoonhangover]

Joseph Parker vs Jack Massey. Crazy fight.

Ouch.

[maverick23]

Good rebuild fight?

It’s lamb to the slaughter I think.

[joshj909]

2 fights confirmed for the undercard.

Riakporhe vs Glowacki - a good fight and will show us how good Riakporhe is.

And…

Joseph Parker vs Jack Massey. Crazy fight.

First fight is a well made fight, second fight is an awful fight. I hope Parker didn't sign a long contract with Boxer if this is what he can expect....

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard Press Release

Richard Riakporhe will officially launch his quest for a world title shot in 2023 when he battles former two-time WBO cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Gowacki on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith undercard at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, 21 January.

The undefeated Londoner (15-0, 11 KOs) has bulldozed his way into contention to challenge for a coveted crown with three knockouts in his last three fights.

Now Riakporhe, 32, will be out to claim a major scalp in the form of Poland's Glowacki (32-3-0, 20 KOs), whose only defeats have come against Oleksandr Usyk, Maris Briedis and Lawrence Okolie.

Riakporhe said: "I'm really pleased that he took the fight. I can test the 'Midnight Train' once again and everybody can see how I fare up to the test of facing a former world champion.

"He won't be a pushover and I have to be at the top of my A game. It is going to be fireworks, believe me."

Joining the bumper BOXXER: Unleashed undercard - live and exclusively in the UK and Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports Box Office - is Manchester's own Jack 'One Smack' Massey (20-1-0, 11 KOs) who collides with former WBO world heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker (30-3-0, 21 KOs).

The 30-year-old stablemate of heavyweight king Tyson Fury returns to Manchester, scene of his Fight of the Year candidate defeat by Joe Joyce back in September, intent on getting his own world title ambitions back on track.

But Cheshire-based Massey, whose only ever defeat was inflicted by Riakporhe in 2019, will be looking to cause a monster upset against the Kiwi warrior when he steps up to the heavyweight division for the first time.

Further fights for this card will be announced in due course.

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom said: "We're adding two major fights - with lots more to come - to what is already a blockbuster night of boxing.

"It's a massive test and a huge step up for Richard Riakporhe against a former two-time world champion, whose only defeats are to Usyk, Breidis, and Okolie.

"Glowacki has had a long time to prepare for this and it's a huge cruiserweight fight that could be a headline bout. In what is a very exciting division, it's crunch time for Richard.

"Local lad Jack Massey has been pushing for a big fight and he has jumped at this test against Joseph Parker. He has got huge support in Manchester and now he'll be fighting one of the biggest names in boxing.

"Parker is coming back after his Fight of the Year contender with Joe Joyce and will want to show exactly what he is all about. It will be very interesting to see how Parker reacts against a hometown favorite."

The main event - in association with Wasserman Boxing - sees bitter middleweight enemies Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith face-off as both rivals bid to take a leap towards their desired world title pursuits.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[KiwiRider]

Dammit!
He will be Joyce's age at this rate, before he gets a title shot.
Things move so slowly once you make it to the second or third tier of the heavyweight division. Guys wait years just to get their mandatory shot once they gain that position. Look at Whyte, and how much longer for Joyce?
Big Fraze could be fighting much better guys right now. And fighting 5-6 times a year easy.

[Dioufy]

Glad I’m slowly giving up boxing.

[coneye]

Would like to off seen him give the pissed or coked up little idiot a slap

[Ruthless-RKO]

Football last night was hyping this.

I'm not totally into this fight.. Maybe fight week might get me pumped.

[maverick23]

Kongo vs Essuman has been added.

A good fight. Wonder if that means Essuman has left Frank.

[Ruthless-RKO]

undercard bolstered by Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongp

The British & Commonwealth, IBF European and WBC International Silver Welterweight titles will be on the lines as Ekow Essuman and Chris Kongo go head-to-head in a scintillating addition to the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith on Saturday, January 21 at Manchester’s AO Arena.

‘The Engine’ produced a comprehensive, unanimous points victory over BOXXER’s Samuel Antwi at the same venue last September to retain his British & Commonwealth titles and protect his flawless record (18-0, 7 KOs).

But Essuman will undoubtedly face a tough test in the form of ‘2 Slick’ Kongo in what promises to be a barnstorming title clash.

Kongo captured the vacant WBC International Silver Welterweight crown when he defeated Sebastian Formella last June in London. And he’ll be hungry to start the new year in style by putting the first dent on Essuman’s burgeoning CV and claiming two prestigious titles.

Rising heavyweight sensation Frazer Clarke is another sterling addition to the event which is broadcast live, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, on Sky Sports Box Office.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medal hero is eager to ascend up the heavyweight rankings this year and will return to the scene of his last victory.

An opponent will be named in due course but Clarke (4-0, 3 KOs) will be keen to remind the division of his incredible power as he did last November when he outclassed Kamil Sokowlski over six rounds.

Another explosive heavyweight prospect is confirmed for January 21 too in Matty Harris.

The hard-hitting Coventry fighter (3-0, 2 KOs) burst on the scene in 2021 and last year added two impressive stoppages to his résumé, defeating Mait Metsis and Pawel Strykowski. An opponent for Harris will be named soon.

And unbeaten Scottish cruiserweight starlet Scott Forrest (3-0, 3 KOs) will be keen to showcase his talent on the night when he collides with Amine ‘The Beast’ Boucetta (7-5-0).

BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom said: “These are four terrific additions to what is already a blockbuster card. Tickets are selling out fast with a bumper crowd all set for an incredible night of boxing in Manchester.”

The main event - in association with Wasserman Boxing - sees bitter middleweight enemies Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith face-off in what promises to be an epic domestic clash for the ages as both rivals bid to take a giant leap towards their desired world title pursuits.

Elsewhere on the stacked pay-per-view card, Richard Riakporhe battles former two-time WBO cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Głowacki, as local lad Jack Massey steps up to the heavyweight division to fight former world champion Joseph Parker.

Final remaining tickets are on sale now at Boxxer.com.

[tony1234]

It would be a good Saturday night show but not PPV worthy

[maverick23]

It would be a good Saturday night show but not PPV worthy

It’s a solid show but I think they underestimate the climate we’re in. They were talking when it was announced that it was already sold out on the presale yet that hasn’t been the case and they’re still selling tickets.

There isn’t much on the undercard that will get the casuals buying in to and whilst Eubank Jr vs Smith is a class fight I don’t think it’s quite big enough to get a couple of hundred thousand people to pay £20 for it when many are struggling to pay their bills already.

[mickey1975]

It would be a good Saturday night show but not PPV worthy

It’s a solid show but I think they underestimate the climate we’re in. They were talking when it was announced that it was already sold out on the presale yet that hasn’t been the case and they’re still selling tickets.

There isn’t much on the undercard that will get the casuals buying in to and whilst Eubank Jr vs Smith is a class fight I don’t think it’s quite big enough to get a couple of hundred thousand people to pay £20 for it when many are struggling to pay their bills already.

There really isn’t many left at all.

[maverick23]

It would be a good Saturday night show but not PPV worthy

It’s a solid show but I think they underestimate the climate we’re in. They were talking when it was announced that it was already sold out on the presale yet that hasn’t been the case and they’re still selling tickets.

There isn’t much on the undercard that will get the casuals buying in to and whilst Eubank Jr vs Smith is a class fight I don’t think it’s quite big enough to get a couple of hundred thousand people to pay £20 for it when many are struggling to pay their bills already.

There really isn’t many left at all.

Yeah - I get it. It was more the arrogance beforehand that it hold sold out with just the waiting list.

January is a long month for people pay wise and doing this before many will be paid their Jan salaries will really impact PPV numbers I think.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Two of the worse months to have a PPV. December and January. especially in this climate.

[CaptainSpacerod]

When is The Gloves Are Off dropping ?

[jlh]

I'm glad to see there isn't a 10 x 2 round world title on here as a cheap filler.
It really feels like an extended break from the show and I end up channel flicking while it's on.

[tony1234]

It would be a good Saturday night show but not PPV worthy

It’s a solid show but I think they underestimate the climate we’re in. They were talking when it was announced that it was already sold out on the presale yet that hasn’t been the case and they’re still selling tickets.

There isn’t much on the undercard that will get the casuals buying in to and whilst Eubank Jr vs Smith is a class fight I don’t think it’s quite big enough to get a couple of hundred thousand people to pay £20 for it when many are struggling to pay their bills already.

I think it will do better than the Catterall PPV but that might not be saying much