Almost three years after they were first scheduled to meet, Chris Eubank Jnr, the IBO middlweight champion, finally takes on Conor Benn on Saturday night. The bout will renew a family feud that spanned two unforgettable fights and an awful amount of spiteful words between their fathers in 1990 and 1993.
The original fight between the pair had been scheduled for October 2022 at London’s O2 but was cancelled three days before by the British Boxing Board of Control because Benn had tested positive for the banned substance clomifone. Benn was banned by the governing body but a National Anti-Doping Panel hearing lifted the suspension in mid-2023, citing an excessive consumption of eggs as the likely cause of the positive test.
The governing body and UK Anti-Doping successfully appealed that decision and the ban was reimposed but in November last year NDAP again pronounced that it was not satisfied Benn had committed an anti-doping violation and this time the BBBoC and Ukad announced that they would not contest the lifting of his suspension, paving the way for the fight to proceed.
Given that Benn fights at welterweight and Eubank at middleweight, they have come up with a compromise for this non-title grudge match, agreeing to weigh in at 160lbs the day before the fight and no heavier than 170lbs on the night of the bout itself.
When is Eubank Jnr vs Benn?
Eubank Jnr vs Benn is on Saturday, April 26. The undercard is expected to start at 6pm, with the main event ring walk scheduled for 10pm.
Where is Eubank Jnr vs Benn taking place?
The fight is being staged at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, fittingly given their fathers’ history of outdoor fights at football grounds. Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank fought for the second time at Old Trafford in 1993 and Eubank defeated Michael Watson in their tragic second meeting in N17, fighting at the original White Hart Lane in 1991.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has also hosted Anthony Joshua’s first fight with Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s defence of his world heavyweight title against Derek Chisora in 2022.
Are tickets available for Eubank Jnr vs Benn?
Tickets went on sale on Wednesday, February 26. On Wednesday night before the Saturday fight, there were still tickets available on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium website and on Ticketmaster.
Where to watch Eubank Jnr vs Benn in the UK
The fight will stream live on DAZN pay-per-view at the usual price of £19.95 and also on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK, where prices are usually the same as DAZN’s.
Is Eubank Jnr vs Benn on the radio?
You can listen via Talksport.
Why do Eubank Jnr and Benn hate each other?
It all stems from their fathers’ rivalry at middleweight and super-middleweight in the 1990s when Nigel fought Chris Snr twice, the latter winning the first bout and the WBO title at the NEC in Birmingham followed by a draw at Old Trafford three years later. They were a perfect match with contrasting styles, Benn all heart and panache, Eubank defensively astute with a flawless chin and iron right hand. Both bad-mouthed the other though there has been a wary, grudging respect across three decades as both fighters, who commanded tribal bands of supporters, have been acknowledged as among the greatest British boxers in history.
The discord between their sons to scavenge on the publicity of that bad blood began as something of a contrivance given the disparity in weight and size but one that has grown in authenticity following the cancellation of the originally scheduled fight. As the hype began with a series of joint press conferences in the days before tickets went on sale, Eubank staged an assault on Benn, taunting him about the ban by smashing an egg into his face.
Justifying his actions, Eubank said: “Youngsters who see my response, when you’re dealing with a drug cheat, I think it’s good that the younger generation understand what can happen and the consequences of cheating.
“It doesn’t go unpunished. I felt it was only right that I physically contaminated him with an egg. I felt that was the fair thing to do.”
Benn responded by saying that his opponent had “poked the bear” and that Eubank, seven years his senior, would pay for it. “Everyone loves a little push and a shove,’’ Benn said. ‘‘That’s all right, no problem. But never raise your hands to somebody.
“But ultimately, he will pay the price. In the end, I will have the last laugh. The talking’s done. He’s done what he had to do, well done Chris on building up the fight. Now more people get to watch him get knocked out.”
How do Eubank Jnr and Benn match up?
The first incarnation of this generational rivalry was in large part fascinating because of how well-matched the two British boxing legends were. This encounter is marked by the younger fighters’ differences and the advantages that they could bring.
Eubank Jnr is the bigger man, fighting at middleweight where he has campaigned for much of his lengthy career. As well as having a height and reach advantage, the 35-year-old has fought at a higher level, with wins over former world champions Arthur Abraham and James DeGale.
He is well-used to this sort of stage, having headlined two PPV events against Liam Smith in 2023. Grudge matches are also nothing new to a fighter who has inherited his father’s ability to get under the skin with verbal flurries.
Benn will move up two weight divisions for this fight, with a hydration clause limiting either boxer from weighing more than 170lbs on fight night.
Benn’s inactivity counts against him, having only fought three times since 2022. He also has the size disadvantage to deal with, hoping that his rise through the divisions will be less of a hindrance to him, than Eubank’s ability to hydrate being restricted.
This mismatched bout has received much criticism for its inherent dangers, not least from Chris Eubank Snr. Yet it is impossible to deny that it is an intriguing clash, with their dislike of one another seeming just as genuine as when their fathers met 35 years ago.
What are Eubank Jnr and Benn’s career records?
Chris Eubank Jnr v Conor Benn
- Nationality: British vs British
- Age: 35 v 28
- Height: 5ft 11in v 5ft 8in
- Reach: 72½in v 68in
- Total fights: 37 v 23
- Record: 34-3 (25 KOs) v 23-0 (14 KOs)
What are the odds?
Eubank Jnr to win: 33/50
Benn to win: 13/8
Draw: 20/1
Betting on the boxing? Here are free bets you can use on fight night.
What are the other fights on the Eubank Jnr vs Benn bill?
Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur
This light-heavyweight rubber-match is the chief support. Both have two wins apiece, but Yarde’s KO victory in 2021 was the more convincing.
Liam Smith vs Aaron McKenna
Smith fights for the first time since his 2023 loss to Eubank Jr. He remains at middleweight and now faces the Irishman Aaron McKenna, who is unbeaten in 19 contests.
Chris Billam-Smith vs Brandon Glanton
Billam-Smith returns to action after losing his world title unification bout to Gilberto Ramirez in November. He faces American cruiserweight contender Glanton, who is eighth in the Ring rankings.
Viddal Riley vs Cheavon Clarke
Another cruiserweight contest opens the action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the unbeaten Riley taking on Clarke for the British title.