Watch: Ahead of Bout, Boxer Shades Opponent on his Sexuality at Heated Press Conference
A heated exchange between two boxers over the sexual orientation of one of them led to Sky News to apologize for having broadcast it.
"Sky Sports were forced to apologize after homophobic comments were made between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith during their pre-fight press conference," reports The Express. "The pair are set to face off in Manchester this weekend in an all-British middleweight grudge match."
The Express continues: "There have been a number of verbal spats between the pair in the build-up to the fight but tempers spilled over on Thursday as they met for the press conference. And Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse was forced to apologize for comments at the end of the broadcast.
She said: "We would like to apologize if you have been offended by the offensive language, personal and homophobic remarks made up on stage."
The Express reported, "The comments in question were made by both men during an [exchange] where Smith questioned if Eubank Jr had a partner."
The exchange began with Smith asking Eubank Jr directly: "You go on about girls, has anybody in this room ever seen you with a girl? You got something to tell us? You are 33 and you said on the program you want kids." He continued: "So this is for no laughs or nothing. Do you want to tell us something?
The interrogation continued, with Smith pressing: "This is for no laughs I am just asking, do you want to tell us something?"
After an awkward silence, a rattled Eubank Jr replied: "Listen, my private life is my private life That's irrelevant to the boxing. You know, I'm happy, and I'm comfortable."
Smith baiting Eubank Jr to open up about his sexuality. "You're 33 and going on about having a kid. You've got to have a woman to have a kid. Do you want to tell us something? — Nobody has ever seen you with a woman."
Eubanks Jr attempted to make light of the question. "If you've got a personal question to ask me directly, you can slide into my DM's or do it right here," he said — his way of implying Smith wanted to ask him out.
To which Smith replied: "I'm not that type of way, mate. I like women."
But Eubank Jr was able to get one dig in on his rival. "If you wanna get personal, talking about being gay? I've been told you cheat on your wife. I'd rather be gay than a cheat."
"The tensions were then diffused before Sky Sports wrapped up their coverage, with Woolhouse making the apology to the channel's viewers," adds The Express.