Liam Smith was dropped and beaten by Aaron McKenna in his return to the ring.
Smith came into the event on the back of a year-long hiatus after his KO defeat to Chris Eubank Jr, who headlined the bill against Conor Benn.
He entered the ring beaming with confidence that he could beat the talented McKenna, to the sound of fellow Liverpudlian Jamie Webster’s ‘This Place’.
The 36-year-old took on McKenna, whom had been training and sparring pound-for-pound superstar Terence Crawford in the build-up to the clash.
And it clearly paid off as the Irishman scored a brilliant points win, with the scorecards reading 119-108, 117-109, and 118-108 in his favour.
Smith left the ring badly beaten and many inside the boxing fraternity believe that was his last outing.
talkSPORT boxing expert Spencer Oliver said: “It’s clearly the end of the road, we’ve seen it historically happen in boxing.
“And the former champion, it’s time to pass over the baton.”
Prior to the fight, Smith had indicated to talkSPORT.com that he may well hang up the gloves in the event of a loss.
And his latest defeat could signal a sad end to his stellar career, which included a spell as WBO super-welterweight champion.
McKenna started brightly boxing well on the back foot in the opener, with Smith trying to play the role as the aggressor early on.
The illusive Irishman boxed well with Smith struggling early on to land on the constantly moving target.
GettyMcKenna was sensational and handed Smith a devastating blow[/caption]Smith was able to avoid the night’s slippery canvas issue, with undersole on his boots to try and keep grip in the ring.
It was proving a tough night but he started to pick up the pace and try to find McKenna, who looked the far slicker.
A cut opened up in the fifth round above Smith’s eyebrow, with the veteran left furious after a clash of heads.
Smith was down in the scorecards, but McKenna was deducted a point for use of the forearm in the physical exchanges.
The Liverpudlian came under huge pressure in the seventh as McKenna upped the ante, and his corner desperately tried to rally him and turn the tide.
He tried his desperate best to reverse proceedings, but the young Irish operator was showing real quality in the ring.
Smith is now at a crossroads in his boxing careerMark Robinson / Matchroom BoxingIn the final round, he was dropped by a heavy body shot from McKenna but Smith luckily beat the count.
It was a spirited end from Smith who left it all in the ring in the final stanza, doing his level best to force a final minute stoppage.
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