Close Fight: Smith Outpoints Buatsi After 12 Rounds

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Post on Feb 23, 2025

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Close Fight: Smith Edges Out Buatsi in 12-Round Thriller

London, England – In a thrilling 12-round battle at the O2 Arena, Chris Eubank Jr. narrowly defeated Liam Smith via split decision on Saturday night, in a fight many felt could have gone either way. The fight, a highly anticipated rematch after Smith’s stunning knockout victory in January, delivered on its promise of action-packed boxing, leaving the crowd buzzing and sparking heated debate amongst boxing pundits.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as both fighters entered the ring. Smith, looking leaner and sharper than in their first encounter, employed a similar tactical approach, using his superior power and aggression to control the center of the ring. Eubank Jr., conversely, relied on his speed and precision, landing stinging jabs and counter punches throughout the contest.

The early rounds were a showcase of contrasting styles. Smith’s relentless pressure forced Eubank Jr. to work hard, absorbing heavy blows while countering with calculated strikes. Eubank Jr. appeared to find his rhythm in the middle rounds, landing some powerful combinations that visibly rocked Smith. However, Smith’s durability and punching power consistently threatened to turn the tide.

The fight remained incredibly close throughout its duration, making scoring a challenging task for the judges. The 11th round saw an explosive exchange, with both fighters landing significant blows. The final round saw a furious rally from Eubank Jr., who desperately tried to secure a knockout, while Smith continued his relentless assault, clearly aiming to outlast his opponent.

The judges' scorecards ultimately revealed a split decision victory for Eubank Jr., reflecting the fight’s razor-thin margin. One judge scored the fight 115-113 for Eubank Jr., while another had it 115-113 for Smith. The third judge scored the bout 116-112 in favour of Eubank Jr., awarding him the controversial win.

The immediate aftermath of the fight was filled with controversy. Smith and his team expressed their disbelief at the result, claiming they felt robbed of a victory. Many boxing analysts and fans echoed Smith's sentiment, highlighting several rounds where they felt Smith had clearly won. The close nature of the fight undoubtedly lends credence to these claims, leaving a lingering sense of debate surrounding the legitimacy of the decision.

Eubank Jr., while celebrating his victory, acknowledged the difficulty of the fight and the closeness of the scorecards. He recognized Smith’s power and resilience and expressed respect for his opponent's performance.

The rematch served as a testament to both fighters' determination and skill. While the outcome remains contentious, the fight itself provided a thrilling spectacle that will be analyzed and debated within the boxing world for weeks to come. The controversial decision may reignite discussions about the scoring system in professional boxing and the need for greater transparency and consistency in judging. For now, however, Eubank Jr. claims victory, albeit a hard-fought and undeniably controversial one. The question remains: will there be a third fight to settle the score definitively? Only time will tell.