Boxer Liam Smith scores for Sunday League side just hours after knocking out Anthony Fowler

Boxer Liam Smith scores for his Sunday League side just hours after he ended up knocking out Anthony Fowler on Saturday night.

The pair, both from Liverpool, faced off at the city’s M&S Arena with the WBA international super-welterweight title on the line.

Liam Smith floored Anthony Fowler on two occasions as he ruthlessly stopped his Liverpudlian rival in the eighth round, and this kept alive his world title ambitions.

Referee Howard Foster brought the contest to an end in the eighth round after Smith knocked his opponent down for a second time courtesy of a thumping left-hand punch.

The victory keeps Smith’s world title ambitions alive as he looks to set-up a contest with Jessie Vargas.

“I started very slow but, from start to finish, we did a very good job,” Smith said after his win.

“I felt (a shot) in round four or five that shook me a little bit. I have no disrespect but I said all along I’ve been in with bigger punchers and I feel like I’ve got a good chin at this level.

“I had to make it a bit personal – if I lose to Anthony Fowler, I’m at rock bottom.

“People saying it’s an easy win – it’s not. Hopefully we can make that Jessie Vargas fight happen.”

Following the fight, former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew questioned whether the fight should have even been set-up in the first place.

“From round three onwards, Liam was all over him. Yes, the cut made it interesting, but Liam Smith is a level above this.

“Why is he being painted as washed up? He’s far from that. I think he’ll be world champion again.

“Ant’s got to progress – I feel for him because I don’t feel that fight was in Anthony Fowler’s best interests.

“That was a business decision made by his management team and Shane McGuigan. Why would you put that boy at risk?”

The 33-year-old suffered a cut to his right eye in the first, as he weathered the storm after an thrilling start from his rival.

However, Liam Smith took some by surprise when he was back in action for his Sunday league side, Custys FC.

He regained enough energy in time for Custys’ kick-off with Allerton at the Delta Taxis Stadium at the home of Bootle FC.

After Smith’s win at the M&S Arena, Custys were quick to tweet their congratulations with a cheeky message: “F****** get in @LiamBeefySmith see you tomorrow for the Allerton game.”

Smith was able to go one better than just making an appearance, and according to Goal’s Neil Harris, Smith was on the scoresheet for his side as they won 10-0.

He tweeted: “Doesn’t miss a game, @LiamBeefySmith – fair play,” before adding, “And he’s scored, too.”

Doesn’t miss a game, @LiamBeefySmith – fair play! pic.twitter.com/VUlis3GTBa

— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) October 10, 2021

Fans reacted as Boxer Liam Smith scores for his Sunday League side just hours after knocking out Anthony Fowler…

@macca21749976: All the lads out there who say they can’t play two games in 2 days 👀

@ChrisLloydTV: Probably ease up on the headers today though eh @LiamBeefySmith 😂🤕

@spmooney68: hope he’s paid his subs

@CiaranShevlin: Wow Commitment on a Different scale!! 👀 F&%k me 😂👍🏻

@jonroche28: @g_saunz winning his fight in front of 10,000 people last night, Sunday football today 😂👏🏻

@paul_miney: Centre half must be bricking it 😂

@VoodooVoodooRay: Some dedication that

@PeterJHarringt1: Down to earth beefy fair play

@cabbo1970: Haha utter madness

@Koptin: That’s class fair play to him!

@hamzanumber1: How’s that possible?! Mad respect

@sugarseantl: Haha legend

@nickpurserart: I bet he’s in major pain but decided to style it out. 😁

@couge0102: That’s mental 👏👏👏👏

@stuey_drake: You think beefy has put a shift in, I feel sorry for the hungover CB that has to mark him.

@JoeRapley8: Fuck getting into a scuffle with him 😂😂😂

@Immy8713: I’d be on medication for a month and bed bound for at least a week after that fight. This guy is playing football just 14 hours after the fight

@c_iseult: Now that’s impressive (I on the other hand barely managed to dress myself yesterday from just attending the fight)

@themeado11: This lad is a legend. Less impressive appearance than when he flew back from Russia haha. What a boss.

@JamesWarbo: Some going that

@jonnymck: Kirkdale lad,wins a war of a fight in front of 10,000 people on Saturday night, plays a game on Sunday morning 😂 is right, people wonder why we’re proud to say we’re Scouse not English, here ya go

@14mickb: Belter that 🤣🤣

@Crook1871: Blats Fowler Saturday night & then rocks up to the game Sunday morning 😂 some lad is Beefy…

@gaffabailey: Madness. Fair play to the lad.

@MaxBomberMan87: Selling out the Echo on Saturday night and straight onto the pitch Sunday. Machine 💪🏽👏🏽

@JamesKay89: In a decent scrap on Saturday night and plays Sunday morning with the lads… oh and he’s 33! Some of these 19 year olds struggle to turn up after 3 Carling 🤣🥊⚽️

@barrass_14: Main event Saturday night and goes and scores in a Sunday league game next day! Can’t not admire the bloke 👏🏻

@declanjohara: That’s mental hahaha

@atown_colm: Fair play. Night after a tough fight and back out on the pitch next morning….

@SeguraLiverpool: How scouse is this though, well in @LiamBeefySmith

@KuckooSean: Just an insight on how much Sunday league in Liverpool is the best in the country

@rt73YNWA: Scouse as fuck, fights in the Echo Arena last nice, gets the knockout win and next morning he’s playing Sunday league #throwback and a class act 🥊⚽️

@BenSeymour13: What the fuck 🤣🤣🤣

@Peterwalmsley11: Absolutely love this me