Boxing fans handed PRISON warning ahead of middleweight clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith

Police have threatened boxing fans with possible prison sentences if they are caught illegally broadcasting fights that require a pay-per-view subscription, such as Saturday’s middleweight clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith.

Police are trying to crack down on the illegal broadcasting of similar events, and new technology allows broadcasters with rights to track the IP addresses of those who watch live sports for up to six months.

Sky will broadcast the first major British card of 2023 for £19.95 on Saturday, as the pair look to settle a longstanding feud at Manchester AO Arena, with both fighters facing an investigation after an ugly press conference on Thursday.

The police are trying to crack down on the illegal broadcasting of live sporting events.

It’s part of a broader police effort to curb illegal transmission, and cars have been fitted with gadgets that will allow them to pick up and track streamers back to their homes.

Comments made by Eubank Jr and Smith on Thursday sparked outrage after the traditional hurling of insults and trash was deemed to have gone too far.

The fighters clashed in the build-up to Saturday’s fight, with Smith suggesting that Eubank Jr was ‘gay’, before Eubank Jr in turn made accusations that his rival was cheating on his girlfriend.

Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr’s press conference turned ugly after both fighters crossed the line with their insults

And in response to Liverpudlian’s words, the son of former world champion Chris Eubank wore a rainbow bracelet at the weigh-in, with both Britons coming in exactly two pounds under the 11.5lb limit.

The fact that the tension is clearly ready to boil over at any moment will undoubtedly attract more and more viewers to the event, which explains the increased warning from the police about the illegal broadcast of the event.

Streaming has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with two arrests made in 2021 and a seven-year prison sentence handed down on a person found guilty of providing illegal Premier League broadcasts.

Smith started the discussion by asking if Eubank Jr had anything to say, stating that “no one in this room has ever seen you with a woman.”

Eubank Jr insisted that his private life is irrelevant to boxing, but later accused Smith of cheating on his wife.

Police announced in early January that they would attempt to visit 1,000 homes where Premier League football matches were being illegally broadcast, and this latest development appears to be part of a broader crackdown.

Authorities are working with anti-piracy investigators from Federation Copyright Theft (FACT) on ‘Operation Raider’ to track down people who have been watching games in England and across Europe illegally via box mods or fire sticks..

However, the Football Supporters Association responded by stating that the Premier League alone is to blame, as a result of an unprecedented and hectic schedule this season.

Police are ready to visit the homes of people they believe have been illegally watching games.

Not all games are televised in the UK and some fans look to alternative and illegal sources.