Chris Eubank Jr defeated Conor Benn by unanimous decision in a frenetic and violent brawl at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. All three judges scored the contest 116-112 in favor of Eubank Jr, who showcased his superior experience and poise despite some rocky moments when Benn managed to hurt him.
Throughout the fight, Benn displayed tremendous aggression, coming out swinging wildly and pressing the action. However, his lack of precision cost him dearly. While he managed to wobble Eubank Jr several times, he was too wild to capitalize effectively. In contrast, Eubank Jr landed the cleaner, more telling punches, often piecing together clubbing combinations that left Benn on the verge of being stopped in the closing moments. A cut above his eye and swelling across his face didn’t deter Eubank Jr from pressing forward in search of a finish.
At the final bell, Eubank Jr dropped to his knees in an emotional celebration, while Benn stood devastated, suffering the first defeat of his professional career after 12 grueling rounds. Though the bout lacked finesse and featured plenty of roughhouse tactics, Eubank Jr’s tactical superiority ultimately shone through. Both fighters were visibly drained, but Eubank Jr’s experience, combined with his greater size and power, proved decisive.
The evening held emotional moments outside the ring as well. The crowd erupted when Chris Eubank Sr appeared unexpectedly, offering a rare glimpse of reconciliation with his son. Moments later, boos filled the arena as Conor Benn was shown backstage, setting a tone where the Eubank family, often polarizing figures, enjoyed unusual crowd support.
Inside the ring, the early rounds were fiercely contested, with Eubank Jr hurt in the third before responding with a massive uppercut in the fourth. As the rounds progressed, Eubank Jr gained control. In the eighth, he began systematically breaking Benn down, pinning him against the ropes and landing at will. A head clash in the ninth left Eubank Jr cut over his right eye, but it did little to slow his momentum. Benn showed tremendous courage but was increasingly outgunned and overwhelmed, particularly in the final round, where Eubank Jr dominated.
The bout was less about championships and more about legacy and money. Both fighters usually compete two weight divisions apart, and the contest was crafted around the historical rivalry between their fathers in the 1990s. Despite the heavy promotional spin about family feuds and “bad blood,” the fight itself proved who was the better man on the night.
Benn had requested a smaller, 18-foot ring to force close combat and limit Eubank Jr’s movement, hoping to turn the bout into a brawl. The strategy backfired. Even though Eubank Jr had to navigate a draining rehydration clause, which limited him to gaining only 10 pounds after the weigh-in, he used his boxing skills smartly to weather Benn’s early storm and take over down the stretch.
For Benn, the loss represents a major blow, especially given his recent efforts to rebuild his reputation after two failed drug tests in 2022. Despite his heart and determination, he could not overcome the difference in class. Eubank Jr, meanwhile, emerges vindicated, able to enjoy the rewards of a risk that paid off, asserting once again his status as one of boxing’s most seasoned and durable operators.
