Eubank makes scripted return

Chris Eubank's ambitious promotional debut in Cairo has been hailed as "mission accomplished" by a leading member of the British Boxing Board of Control.

Simon Block, the assistant secretary, said: "Sections of the British press felt it would never come off. We were asked to assist and said we would subject to a number of conditions. All of those were met by the Egyptians." Block was less complimentary about Eubank's comeback opponent, the barrel-like Luis Barrera: "The fight was more of an exhibition than a contest."

Eubank's return from his year-long retirement ended 42 seconds into the fifth round with a right-hand punch to the Argentinian's rib cage.