Chris Eubank Jr. finally faced off against his long-time rival, Conor Benn, in the boxing ring and delivered a performance that left no doubt about his superiority on the night.
In a highly anticipated showdown at a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday, the two British boxers treated the crowd to an intense, back-and-forth contest that went the full 12 rounds. When the scorecards were read, Eubank Jr. was awarded a clear unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in his favor.
The physically larger Eubank took control early, effectively using his jab to keep the quicker Benn at a distance, though Benn managed to land some sharp power punches when opportunities arose. Eubank appeared to be leading on the scorecards through the first six rounds, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Both fighters dug deep and pushed their limits, trading heavy punches in the latter half of the fight. Eubank gradually asserted dominance, pressing Benn against the ropes and unleashing a barrage of close-range shots. Even a cut above Eubank’s right eye couldn`t slow his relentless aggression. In the championship rounds (11 and 12), he clearly pulled ahead, landing significant blows on a visibly fading Benn.
By the final bell, both competitors were clearly exhausted, having given their absolute maximum in the ring.
Following the fight, Eubank Jr. commented, “I knew I was capable of that kind of performance. I just needed someone to bring that out of me. And honestly, I didn’t expect Conor to be that person, but the history between our fathers, what they did all those years ago, it taps into a different part of you, a different spirit. That’s what we both displayed tonight.”
The buildup to Saturday`s fight was filled with drama, fueled by both historical context and recent animosity. The fathers of the fighters, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, had their own legendary rivalry, with Eubank Sr. winning a tough championship bout in 1990 and their 1993 rematch ending in a split draw.
Chris Jr. and Conor were originally scheduled to fight in October 2024, but the event was postponed after Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene. A new date was announced the following January, but tensions remained high. During one pre-fight encounter, Eubank infamously slapped Benn with an egg (a jab at Benn`s claim that his positive test might be linked to excessive egg consumption), resulting in a significant $129,000 fine for Eubank.
Just the day before the fight, Eubank himself failed to make the contracted weight, incurring a $500,000 fine. He successfully weighed in again on the morning of the fight, ensuring the bout went ahead.
Eubank reflected post-fight, “I pushed through everything. There are many things happening in my life right now that I won`t get into. I`m just happy to have my father back with me, and we have upheld the family name, just like we promised. Onwards and upwards from here.”
Wesley Dunham