Just seven months after being dropped and stopped for the first time, Eubank returned to Manchester with revenge on his mind.

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And that is exactly what he produced by dropping Smith twice on the way to a tenth-round stoppage.

Benn was a ringside guest at the AO Arena but failed to give his family rival much respect.

He told media: “He [Liam Smith] didn’t look himself, but credit to him [Eubank], he won the fight but I wasn’t that impressed.

“He stuck to the game plan, threw his shots, tied him up and that was it.We can do that fight next no problem, we can do that next.

“If the public want it as I said I’ll come up to 160 no problem, 147, 154, 160, no problem, I’ll come up – not a problem to me.

“It’ll be curtains for him in four rounds, 100 per cent I’d fight him before the end of the year.”

Benn, 26, was meant to face Eubank, 33, in a 157lb catchweight clash almost 30 years after their fathers’ famous rematch.

But the unbeaten welterweight failed two drug tests and has been fighting to clear his name since.

Last month, following a video-call hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel, a provisional suspension on Benn was lifted, freeing him to fight again.

And Eubank was also quick to call Benn’s name after his career-defining victory.

He said: “There’s some big names out there. I see a few of these guys in the crowd, I’m coming for you!

“I’m coming for you Conor, I’m coming for you.”

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