Liam Smith appears in court on grievous bodily harm charge

Former world boxing champion Liam Smith has appeared at Manchester Crown Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, BBC News reported. The 38-year-old was not asked to enter a plea at the hearing. The charge concerns an alleged attack on a night concierge worker at a residential tower block in Manchester.

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According to the BBC's account of the hearing, the alleged incident took place on 13 September at The Blade on Silvercroft Street in Deansgate. Laurent Nke, the alleged victim, suffered injuries to his face and required hospital treatment, the court heard. Smith was arrested following the alleged attack and was making his first appearance at the crown court.

Judge Tom Gilbart discussed CCTV footage during the brief hearing. The judge said part of the recording appeared to show the defendant striking the head of a person who was on the ground and unable to get up. He also described footage allegedly showing Smith moving past other people to continue the incident. These descriptions were given in court; the case has not reached trial.

The hearing was adjourned until 28 November, when Smith was told he should be prepared to enter his pleas. Judge Gilbart also set a provisional trial date for the week beginning 15 March 2028. Smith was granted bail on conditions that prohibit contact with Nke and entry into Manchester, except for court attendance or appointments with his solicitor.

Smith, originally from Liverpool and now living in Formby in Sefton, held the WBO light-middleweight championship between 2015 and 2016. Known in boxing as Beefy, he is one of four brothers who competed professionally and each won a title at British level.

His career has included a defeat by Saul Canelo Alvarez and two bouts against fellow British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. Smith won their first meeting in January 2023, before losing the rematch eight months later.

The BBC also reported that Smith had been scheduled to return to the ring in Finland on 4 September. He withdrew from that bout because of a calf injury, according to reports cited by the broadcaster.