Most boxers do not have to wait until aged 35 for the biggest fight of their careers, but that is where Chris Eubank Jr is ahead of his blockbusting showdown vs Conor Benn on Saturday night (April 26).
Eubank Jr (34-3 with 25 knockouts) really hits the big time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after a build-up which has now spanned years following that much-publicised false start back in 2022.
The eyes of the world will be trained on north London as two sons of famous fighting fathers rekindle a family rivalry which defined British boxing in the early 1990s.
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Twice – in Birmingham in 1990 and at a packed Old Trafford football stadium in 1993 – Chris Sr and Nigel Benn produced absolute barnstomers which captivated the nation. They also had an intense dislike outside of the ring and personalities which collided beautifully, it was just perfect.
Now Chris Jr and Conor (23-0) are doing a pretty passable job of continuing that age-old beef, and with fight night now just a couple of days away the Eubank side of the show (they are calling it ‘Fatal Fury’) is ready for whatever unfolds.
Eubank Jr at peace
Speaking at the official pre-fight workout, Chris Jr said: “I’m calm. I’m very at peace with where I am in my life and where I am in this fight. I really do believe that everything I envisioned, everything that I have trained for will come to fruition. I’m grateful to be here. I’m happy.”
Eubank Jr was also clearly keen to dispel one Conor-driven narrative which he believes is a myth, claiming: “I don’t have any chips on my shoulder, as Conor Benn always points out. I don’t have any frustrations. I don’t have any ill will towards people. I just want to go out there and have fun.”
So how does Chris Jr believe the fight will play out? Quite simply he believes he holds the aces in every possible category.
“Domination in every department you can imagine. Whether it’s boxing, whether it’s a gun fight. Defence, offense, foot movement, speed, power. I am the superior boxer in each of those departments and so many more – which is why I’m so confident. Which is why I’m so relaxed. Which is why I’m so happy.”
“I guess you could say there’s been more fire in my soul, in my spirit, in my mindset. This is the biggest fight of my career. This is the most important fight to date, which is very rare for a 35-year-old fighter. Usually at 35 fighter’s careers are behind them. I’m still going up and up.”
When is Eubank Jr vs Benn?
The show takes place on Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Ring walks for the main event are expected at around 2200 local time (2300 CET, 1700 Eastern, 1400 Pacific).
How to watch the fight live
The bout will be streamed live globally on DAZN PPV, with the price set at £19.95 in the UK and $24.99 in the US. Sky Sports Box Office will also screen the bout in the UK, again with the cost set at £19.95.
What weight is Eubank Jr vs Benn?
This has probably been the biggest talking point ever since this fight was first mooted. The reason? Conor has for most of his career fought two divisions lower than Chris Jr. Conor at welterweight (147lbs) and Chris Jr at middleweight (160lbs). It is no small gap.
This one will take place at 160lbs (11st 6lbs) with the official weigh-in set for Friday in London (April 25). There is a rehydration clause in the contract which means when the fighters hit the scales again on the day of the bout, neither can be more than 170lbs.
