Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn exploded in London last night, as they fought to a bonafide ‘Fight of the Year’ contender.
Fight of the night: Chris Eubank Jr Vs Conor Benn.
Performance of the night: Chris Eubank Jr & Conor Benn.
Last night had a bit of everything; a sold out stadium, dramatic WWE-style entrances, an instant classic fight, and all the A-listers in attendance. The undercard didn’t live up to the lofty expectations we had before fight night, but all was forgotten after the final bell sounded between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
The build up had been all consuming and filled with drama. It feels like a lifetime ago when Eubank Jr slapped Benn across the face with an egg, and was subsequently fined £100,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control. A hefty fine, but a worthwhile cause as far as fight promotion goes. He would later be fined a further $500,000 for being 0.05lb overweight, a ridiculous proposition but again, gold dust for building the drama and anticipation.
It was questioned all week whether Chris Eubank Sr would be in attendance. I’d be watching all of his comments closely and to be honest, I’d given up all hope of seeing him by his son’s side come fight night. However, between rounds 8 and 9 of the Smith Vs McKenna fight I looked up from my phone after hearing Adam Smith proclaim, “Have a look at this… HE’S HERE!” The car door swung open, and revealed a grinning Eubank Sr. The noise from the crowd was unbelievable, Jr walked around the car and entered the back corridors of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, arm in arm with his old man. What a moment. A later shot showed Conor & Nigel Benn watching it unfold on the TV from their dressing room, surely an enormous boost for Eubank Jr – and they knew it.
Chris Eubank Sr would later walk his son to the ring, in what can only be described as one of the most ‘Eubank’ ring walks I have ever seen. Words can’t do justice to just how good this was, you need to go and watch it, if you haven’t already. If you have seen it, go and watch it again, it’s that good.
A war for the ages transpired shortly afterwards. Eubank Jr and Conor Benn went toe-to-toe for 12 full rounds of red hot action. Both men showed unbelievable engines, heart, and will. A fight worthy of their legendary fathers, and their legendary rivalry. The final round saw both men teeing off on each other, with Eubank Jr pinning Conor Benn to the ropes. It’s a wonder they both stayed on their feet, as they shipped heavy punches and both completely emptied their tanks. It was an all action slug-fest, that will no doubt be in contention for all of the ‘Fight of the Year’ awards, when the year is out. There’s a rematch clause in place that either man can activate, I don’t think there’s anyone that wouldn’t enjoy watching that again.
Conor Benn is still shrouded by the controversy linked to his failed drug tests from 2022. That cannot, and should not go away – but you cannot deny his chin and heart. The scores were read out as 116-112 (x3), all in favour of Chris Eubank Jr. He fell to his knees and roared, it was something we’ve seldom seen from a usually cool, calm and collected Jr. That’s what it means to beat a Benn, when your last name is ‘Eubank’.
Earlier in the night we saw a relatively bleak fight between Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur, as Yarde ran out a unanimous victor after the full 12 rounds. Aaron McKenna showed that youth trumps experience as he dropped Liam Smith in the final round, on his way to a dominant decision victory. Viddal Riley cruised his way to the British cruiserweight title, defeating Cheavon Clarke by decision and condemning him to back-to-back defeats. Chris Billam-Smith also picked up a decision victory after a bruising 12 rounds with the hard-hitting American, Brandon Glanton.
Whilst the undercard action underwhelmed, all in all it was a good night of action as big time boxing returned to the UK. The Eubank name rules supreme once again over the Benn family, with a return fight slated for September 2025.
