Liam Smith Accused Of Punching Man On Floor In GBH Case

Former WBO welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light-middleweight champion Liam Smith appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Monday facing a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after allegedly punching a concierge worker as he lay on the floor.

The BBC reports that the 38-year-old from Liverpool is accused of striking Laurent Nke in the head at The Blade tower block in Deansgate, Manchester, on September 13. Nke suffered facial injuries and was hospitalised following the incident.

CCTV Footage Reviewed In Court

Judge Tom Gilbart reviewed security camera footage during the brief hearing. "Part of the footage shows the defendant deliver two strikes to the head of somebody lying on the floor who's unable to stand," he said, per the BBC's court report. The judge added that cameras also captured Smith allegedly pushing past people to resume the attack.

Smith, nicknamed 'Beefy', was granted bail with conditions barring him from contacting Nke or entering Manchester except for court appearances and meetings with his solicitor. The fighter was not asked to enter pleas during Monday's hearing.

Smith held the WBO title from 2015 to 2016 and has fought Canelo Alvarez and Chris Eubank Jr twice, winning their first meeting in January 2023 before losing the rematch eight months later. He was scheduled to return to the ring in Finland on September 4 but reportedly withdrew with a calf injury.

The case is adjourned until November 28 for plea entry, with a provisional trial date set for the week of March 15, 2028.

Source: bbc.co.uk