Boxing
In the end, a heated Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn saga closes with respect and the boxing world is better for it
Benavidez vs Yarde live on DAZN PPV - Nov 22
After thoroughly dismantling Chris Eubank Jr. toward two knockdowns in a masterful unanimous decision win Saturday night, Conor Benn more than redeemed himself in exacting cold revenge in their rematch.
Still, there was one thing left to do and Benn did not waste time doing it.
Lowered back onto his feet after being hoisted in the air by his dad in celebration, Benn made a beeline to Eubank Jr., first accepting congratulations from Chris Eubank Sr., before embracing the fighter he just shared the ring with for the second time this year.
Just like that, the rivalry that took the boxing world on a whirlwind journey filled with the fighters’ contempt for each other, died down, shrouded in respect.
It was hard to fathom this point ever being reached considering their bitter, heated rivalry included everything from Benn being suspended for an adverse finding result to their originally-scheduled October 2022 fight being cancelled, and Eubank Jr. slapping Benn with an egg during their press conference launch.
Eubank Jr. and his dad reunited and shared a memorable walk to the ring before Eubank Jr. scored a unanimous decision over his rival inside a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in April.
Then, for their highly-anticipated rematch, they returned to the same London venue Saturday night, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, nearly 35 years to the date after their fathers first fought. This time, rap superstar 50 Cent led the Eubanks out to the ring.
But Benn made sure the rematch wrote a different narrative as he dominated Eubank Jr., dropping him twice in the 12th round toward the lopsided points win.
After experiencing 24 rounds in the ring together less than seven months apart, all Benn and Eubank Jr. could do is salute each other. Despite the rivalry knotted at one win apiece for the foes, Benn delivered a beating so severe that he declared the feud dead right then and there.
“I feel like this is the end of the Eubank-Benn saga,” he said live on DAZN, standing victorious inside the ring. “It’s over. This ends here.”
What followed was an unforeseen nod of respect to Eubank Jr., seven years Benn’s senior, and their fathers.
“This wouldn’t have been what it was without Chris,” Benn added. “And our dads most of all. This is generational. This has never been done in history. So, credit to Chris. Thank you for sharing the ring with me.”
After Eubank Jr. walked over to embrace him once again, Benn tacked on for good measure: “Not bad for two silver spoon kids, aye?”
Not bad at all.
Humbled in defeat, Eubank Jr. returned the salute to Benn.
“I tried my best,” Eubank Jr. said live on DAZN before draping his hand over Benn’s shoulder. “The kid fought hard, he fought tough. He’s got power, this kid.
“Listen, we put on a show,” he continued. “Conor Benn was the best man tonight so congratulations to him.”
While he wouldn’t completely dismiss a trilogy fight, as Benn did moments before, Eubank Jr. made sure to fix the spotlight back onto his rival in saying “for right now, it’s all about this man, it’s his night.”
Standing beside Conor, Nigel Benn was overcome with pride after witnessing his son do something that he couldn’t muster in two fights more than three decades ago — defeat a Eubank. The older Benn lost to Eubank Sr. by knockout in November 1990, before they fought to a draw in October 1993.
“He’s got one up on me,” Nigel said live on DAZN. “I’m so proud of what he’s done tonight.”
After detailing how Conor can drop back down to welterweight and pursue a world title there, Nigel had a few more beaming words to express.
“I’m proud of you, son, well done, mate,” he said, planting a kiss on Conor’s cheek.
“That’s all that matters,” a choked up Conor said. “I’ve come in here tonight and all that matters is my dad, me and my old man, the family feud. There was a lot of pressure on me to settle it tonight.
“I felt the pressure, not from the world, not from anyone, but I just wanted to do the family name proud, and I’ve completed it, mate.”
Added Nigel: “Yeah, you have.”
Whether rounds 1 through 12 or 13 through 24, the boxing world is better having experienced this historic Benn-Eubank Jr. rivalry this year.
Just like it was with Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn before it.
