Chris Eubank Jr wears rainbow armband in response Liam Smith’s homophobia

Eubank Jr, who responded with unsubstantiated claims about Smith’s fidelity to his wife, pointedly wore a pro-LGBT armband at Friday’s weigh-in ahead of a much-anticipated bout at Manchester’s AO Arena.

He kept the accessory on throughout a frosty and protracted staredown with Smith which passed off without incident after the pair had both scaled 11st 5lbs – one pound below the middleweight cut-off.

While Eubank Jr and Smith have apologised for their conduct, the matter may rumble on beyond this weekend as the British Boxing Board of Control said it is ‘considering the conduct’ of the fighters.

Eubank Jr wrote on Twitter afterwards: ‘We don’t discriminate… we don’t alienate. We want boxing & sport as a whole, to be all inclusive.’

More to follow…