>
Boxing promoter Ben Shalom denies defending homophobic comments made by Liam Smith after he allegedly said the fighter had to “put up with a lot of crap” before his fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
Ben Shalom has denied defending Liam Smith’s homophobic comments after Sky Sports sought clarity around an interview given by the promoter following Smith’s victory over Chris Eubank Jnr last month.
Sportsmail has been told Shalom was asked to explain comments made after Smith’s knockout victory, when he said the fighter had to “put up with a lot of rubbish” before the fight.
His comments were interpreted by perplexed Sky employees as a defense of Smith, who drew considerable criticism for telling Eubank Jr. at a pre-fight press conference: “Chris, you talk about girls, man, does anyone in this room care for you?” Have you ever seen him with a woman? You’re 33. Do you want to tell us something?
Boxing promoter Ben Shalom has said he denies defending the homophobic claims made by Liam Smith.
Shalom had reportedly said after Smith’s fight with Chris Eubank Jr that the Liverpool fighter had put up with a lot of crap leading up to the fight.
Shalom, whose company Boxxer is responsible for the broadcaster’s UK production, claims he had been referring to ‘inflammatory’ statements directed at his fighter on the week of the grudge match, with Eubank Jnr responding to Smith taunts saying: ‘I have been told by various sources that you sometimes cheat on your wife.
A Boxxer spokesperson told Sportsmail: “We would like to ensure there is no misunderstanding following the post-fight comments made by our CEO and founder, Ben Shalom.”
“It was not a defense of any nasty comments between the fighters that were made in the build up to the fight.
Shalom’s company, Boxxer, released a statement saying the comment was “not an defense of any nasty comments between wrestlers.”
Smith defeated Eubank Jr via technical knockout in the fourth round of their fight.
“Instead, it was an acknowledgment of other inflammatory comments directed at Liam that created some personal issues for him during fight week.
“We absolutely do not condone or endorse any discriminatory attitude, language or behavior.”
A Sky Sports spokesperson said: ‘We do not tolerate homophobia or any form of discrimination on Sky Sports. We hope our partners will support our views on equality and inclusion for all.’