Chris Eubank Jr beats Conor Benn in thrilling grudge match after reuniting with his father
Eubank Jr sealed victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with his dad back by his side.
Chris Eubank Jr secured the biggest victory of his career after beating Conor Benn in the latest brutal instalment of the family rivalry.
30 years on from the legendary battles their fathers shared, the sons of British boxing royalty continued the war at a sold-out out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.
In a thrilling plot twist to the evening, Eubank Jr was reunited with his estranged father Chris Eubank Snr just hours before the opening bell having acrimoniously fallen out six years ago.
It proved to be the inspiration Eubank Jnr needed, clinching an unanimous decision victory over his bitter rival. All three judges unanimously gave 116-112 on the scorecards in favour of Eubank Jr.
In a thrilling 12-round contest, both men stood and traded in a firefight so many expected.
Neither man was able to land a telling blow to halt the other but Eubank Jr’s ferocious showing in the final stanza was enough to convince the judges.
Benn, who moved up two weight divisions from welterweight to fight at 160lbs, suffered the first defeat of his 24-fight career.
The devastated 28-year-old broke down in tears moments after the decision was announced, held by his father Nigel in the centre of the ring as Eubank Jr and his father celebrated.
Eubanks reunited at long last
Eubank Snr was once a commanding presence in his son’s career, by his side in press conferences and in his corner in fights up until 2019.
After parting ways, their relationship became strained with Eubank Snr constantly questioning decisions taken by his son – agreeing with critics who labelled him a ‘charlatan’ following his 2023 defeat to Liam Smith.
Eubank Snr had been a vocal critic of the Benn fight – repeatedly condemning it over weight concerns.
But what appeared to be a very genuine reconciliation helped Eubank Jr get the job done.
‘I’m happy to have this man [Eubank Sr] back with me. We upheld the family name – onwards and upwards.’
Eubank Jr praises Benn with rematch possible
A rematch clause means Benn and Eubank Jr could meet again this year although Eddie Hearn suggested post-fight he would like to see the former return to the welterweight division to challenge for world honours.
While the two fighters have shared a vicious rivalry in recent years, Eubank Jr praised Benn for bringing the best out of him.
‘I knew I could do that, I just needed someone to bring that out of me and I didn’t think that he would be the guy to do that,’ Eubank Jr said.
‘The fact our fathers did it years ago brings out a different spirit into you and that’s what we showed here tonight.
‘I knew I was capable of that. I just needed someone to bring it out of me,’ Eubank Jr told Sky Sports.
‘And I’m not gonna lie I didn’t think he would be the guy to do that. Our fathers did what they did and it brings out a different soul and spirit in you. That’s what we both showed tonight.’
He added: ‘Everything surprised me. I didn’t know he had what he had in him. I really didn’t.
‘I thought I would break him early. I underestimated him. I didn’t train for a fight like that. I didn’t know he had that in him, he’s never had that in him. he has never shown that but he has never had to show that.’
