Liam Smith has claimed that Chris Eubank Jr was ‘terrified’ when he first shared the ring with the Brighton man back in January.
Smith upset the pre-fight odds to score a brilliant stoppage over Eubank Jr following weeks of bad blood that threatened to spill over in the events leading up to their battle.
With Eubank Jr activating his immediate rematch clause, the pair will meet again in June in a fight where the Liverpool fighter will begin favourite.
Reflecting on the first fight, a contest he dominated, ‘Beefy’ has opened up on the bout and believes that Eubank was full of fear as soon as the first bell sounded.
"Round one, I remember being close to him and he's holding me and I'm just thinking you're terrified," said Smith when speaking to Sky Sports
"You are terrified of getting hit. You watch every replay and he's not even moving his head. He's closing his eyes. He's getting his head out the way.
"He was petrified of getting hit, he was looking away. That's why the first shot wobbled him. Because he's not looking.”