Chris Eubank Jr promises ‘fight of the decade contender’ in Conor Benn showdown

By George Sessions, PA

Chris Eubank Jr promised to produce a “fight of the decade contender” with Conor Benn on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at an otherwise drama-free weigh-in at York Hall.

Eubank Jr had made weight for his rematch with Benn earlier on Friday, weighing 159.1lbs, which was fractionally lighter than his rival who tipped the scales at 159.3lbs – both comfortably below the 160lbs middleweight limit.

It was in stark contrast to the previous fight in April when Eubank Jr’s first attempt was 160.2lbs before a second effort of 160.5lbs confirmed that the 36-year-old from Brighton had to pay the forfeit fee of £375,000 (500,000 US dollars) directly to Benn.

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Benn subsequently spent the money on a Rolls-Royce luxury car but Eubank Jr ensured that he would not make the same mistake twice before a final face-off at London’s historic boxing venue passed by without incident.

The sons of Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn were not accompanied by their fathers at York Hall – where each of the four men had fought – after the two British favourites upstaged their children at Thursday’s press conference with a fiery back and forth.

Nevertheless, a packed crowd were in attendance to witness a lengthy face-off where no words were required after plenty of chat during the past three years since the original 2022 bout was cancelled after Benn failed a drugs test.

The famous sons eventually stepped into the ring together in April and produced a classic where Eubank Jr claimed a unanimous decision victory after all three judges scored the fight 116-112 to make it 2-0 to his family, but he promised a thrilling fourth instalment.

Eubank Jr said: “I am feeling good. Everything is on track for a Chris Eubank Jr KO win.

“I was born and bred to fight. I cannot wait to go out there tomorrow and show the world what I am made of once again.

“The first fight was a fight of the year contender. This fight is going to be fight of the decade contender.”

A mutual respect was fostered on April 26, which has meant no major fireworks during this fight week.

It started with an announcement from Eubank Jr on Tuesday ahead of grand arrivals that he would soon become a father to twin boys and the family affair spilled into Wednesday’s open workout where Conor Benn was joined in the ring by dad Nigel.

A photo for the ages followed on Thursday when Eubank Sr made a surprise appearance at the press conference in Canary Wharf and despite a heated exchange with old rival Benn, who he called a “liar” for his claims that he was paid to turn up in April, it concluded with both father-and-son side-by-side for a picture.

After no fresh antics at Friday’s weigh-in, attention can shift to Saturday night – albeit after both men meet the 170lbs rehydration clause – where the fourth and supposedly final instalment of the Eubank-Benn rivalry will reach a conclusion.

A bitter feud started in 1990 will close 35 years later, with three exhilarating bouts, a failed drugs test, a slapped egg on a fighter’s cheek and a father and son reunion of the most dramatic fashion already part of the story.

“Do not miss it,” the youngest Benn insisted.

“For this fight I will come in heavy and come in the way I am. Chris can do what he wants. I am not concerned about him and what he does. Ultimately, I am fighting a middleweight, so I’ve come in middleweight.

“I’m just excited to get in there and do the business and put on a great show for the fans.”