The much-hyped fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, scheduled for this Saturday, has been framed as a monumental British boxing event, despite numerous controversies surrounding it. The promoters, Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn, have worked tirelessly to sell the clash as a gift from the boxing gods, invoking the history of the two fighters’ fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, who battled each other in iconic bouts during the 1990s. Shalom hailed it as “the biggest British boxing story ever” and “35 years in the making,” while Hearn described it as a “fight for the generations,” urging fans to “remember this night.” However, even with such grand declarations, the fight is not without its doubts.
Eubank Jr., at 35, is a seasoned boxer who typically competes at super-middleweight, 21 pounds heavier than the welterweight category Benn has fought in. The two will meet at middleweight, but complications have arisen. At the weigh-in, Eubank Jr. failed to meet the 160-pound limit twice, resulting in a £375,000 fine. Additionally, he faces a rehydration clause that severely limits his ability to regain weight after the weigh-in. This clause has raised concerns, especially from medical professionals, who worry about the potential for serious harm given the strict weight restrictions. Even Chris Eubank Sr. has publicly opposed the fight, citing the risks involved and his son’s reckless behavior leading up to the event.
The history between the two fighters is fraught with tension and bad blood. Benn’s previous doping violations, which led to the cancellation of their original fight in 2022, have only fueled animosity between the two. Benn has spent the time since the cancellation defending himself and attacking Eubank Jr. with insults, while Eubank Jr. has mocked Benn for the doping incident, further stoking the flames of hatred between them. The bitter rivalry has, to some extent, added drama to the fight, but it is unclear whether the public is truly invested.
Ticket sales for the fight have been underwhelming, despite claims of a sellout crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In reality, tickets were available for as low as £24 online, and many were being given away as part of promotional efforts, raising questions about the true demand for the event. While the promoters continue to tout it as a colossal spectacle, the actual atmosphere surrounding the fight feels flat, and the commercial success might not be as clear-cut as initially projected.
As the fight approaches, there is an increasing sense of uncertainty about who will come out on top. Eubank Jr. is widely seen as the more experienced and capable fighter, having suffered only three losses in his career. His most recent defeat, a shocking knockout by Liam Smith in 2023, raised questions about his decline, but he bounced back in the rematch. Despite his solid record, there are whispers that age and the weight restrictions may have taken a toll on his physicality, leading some to speculate that Benn, at 28, may pull off an upset.
Benn, whose career had been marred by a doping scandal, has looked impressive in recent sparring sessions, fueling hopes that he might be the one to dethrone Eubank Jr. His return to the ring after a suspension for clomifene use has added a layer of intrigue, though his past performances have been inconsistent. Benn’s fiery determination to prove himself, coupled with his reported improvements in training, has led to a late surge of support among some observers.
Despite the drama, the fight lacks the depth and historical significance that the promoters are trying to sell. While the rivalry between the two families is rooted in boxing lore, neither Eubank Jr. nor Benn has truly risen to the level of greatness that would warrant such lofty comparisons. The spectacle feels more like a sideshow than an iconic battle for the ages. As the fight nears, it remains to be seen whether the spectacle will live up to the hype, or if it will fade into another forgettable chapter in the sport’s recent troubled history.
