Aaron McKenna upsets Liam Smith as Chris Eubank Senior arrives to support son ahead of Conor Benn clash
Unbeaten prospect Aaron McKenna upset former world champion Liam Smith on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn undercard.
McKenna won a wide unanimous decision, beating the former WBO super-welterweight titlist 119-108, 117-109 and 118-108.
During the contest the stadium around it erupted in jubilation when Chris Eubank Senior appeared on the big screen, arriving unexpectedly alongside his son ahead of the main event.
The estrangement between the father and son had been the subject of much public discussion but their arrival together was totally unexpected.
While drama swirled around the fight, Smith was fighting to dictate the future direction of his career.
The Liverpudlian came out with gloves high, tracking forward. McKenna doubled his jab and for a moment switched southpaw to land the right as a lead. The tall Irishman looked sharp as he reeled off quick, crisp shots in the early going.
Smith crept forward to exert further pressure but McKenna continued to peck away at his defences. McKenna found more head shots and fired his right down at the end of the fourth round.
Nimble movement from side to side frustrated Smith as the younger man landed quick shots.
He lashed a right hook into the head and in the sixth round, with Smith on the inside where is normally so effective, it was McKenna who reeled off a brace of tight uppercuts into the chin.
McKenna had a point deducted for use of the elbow but seemed unperturbed.
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There was drama backstage as security stopped Billy Joe Saunders entering the dressing room of old foe Chris Eubank Jr
In the seventh round they stood to trade punches, up close in the centre of the ring. But when he found space, at range, McKenna began to tee off with seeming ease, keeping Smith on the end of a salvo of light but accurate straight punches.
McKenna remained dominant and in the 12th round a left hook to the body reached round and dropped Smith to his knees.
McKenna clattered shots into his opponent, a big right catching Smith round the head yet again.
Smith was characteristically brave to the end. He slugged shots back off the ropes but his defence at this stage of his career was too porous and McKenna was a clear unanimous victor.
Chris Eubank vs Conor Benn will be live on Saturday April 26 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!
