A rivalry is reborn this Saturday as Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn look to jump out of their father’s shadows.
Eubank and Benn are two names that are synonymous with British boxing.
Two fights between Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn made the country stand still in 1990 and 1993 as middleweight and super-middleweight world titles were argued over.
It was Eubank who came out of these fights unscathed – winning the first and fighting to a draw in the second – with many believing that the “Dark Destroyer” was hard done by by the judges scorecards reading 115–113 Eubank, 114–113 Benn, and 114–114.
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Chris Eubank Jr to beat Conor Benn by KO/TKO or Disqualification - 1/1
Lewis fancies a Eubank Jr win here
Eubank Jr v Benn
Now, almost thirty years on, it’s the turn of their sons, Chris Jr and Conor to fight for their family name.
With a couple of weight classes separating their careers to date, this fight wasn’t expected to land in 2022, but, as we know, money talks...
Who will take the bragging rights home in this fight billed “Born Rivals”?
Chris Eubank Jr (32-2, 23KO)
Now 33, Chris Eubank Jr is older than his father was when he retired.
Perhaps a reason for this is Chris Eubank Jr’s shortcomings at the top table of boxing thus far.
The Brighton fighter has set his sights on world titles ever since turning professional in 2011, but losses to Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves have left “Next Gen” fall just short of these accolades.
The allure of a multi-million pound grudge match against Conor Benn has proved too much to ignore for Eubank, who is attempting to use this fight as a stepping stone towards a world title shot in 2023.
Eubank has spent a majority of his career floating in between middleweight and super-middleweight (160-168 pounds) and has now been asked to make 157-pounds without heavy rehydration against the small Benn.
Eubank is confident in making this weight but will no doubt be affected on fight night, but believes he only needs to be “60%” of his best to deal with his youthful opponent.
Conor Benn (21-0, 14KO)
Conor Benn was knocking on the door of the world’s best welterweights before agreeing to this fight.
Bullying his way to 21-0 with 14 stoppages, the “Destroyer” has grown his reputation of being a spiteful, heavy-handed, heat-seeker at 147-pounds, with hand speed that can trouble most in the sport.
But weight classes are there for a reason, and Benn’s small frame in comparison to Eubank’s is why he is priced as a 7/4 underdog with bet365 in this fight.
The heaviest Benn has ever weighed in for a contest is 148-pounds in 2017 and he will have to change his preparation if he is to come into Saturday’s fight strong enough not to be drowned by Eubank’s pressure.
Benn has stopped five of his last seven opponents and will be banking on landing clean on Eubank’s chin to turn the tide in his favour as early as possible.
Prediction & Odds
As we’ve mentioned before: weight classes are there for a reason.
A good biggun’ will usually beat a good littlen’, and we’re finding it hard to state a convincing case for Benn on Saturday night.
Eubank may well have come up short in his previous big fights, but he has shown the heart and guts of a lion in both of those contests, something that often goes forgotten when discussing Eubank’s career.
He has shown his ability to take a punch time and time again against some big guys (namely George Groves) and even if Benn is able to climb up to 155-pounds, we’re not convinced he is going to have the power to close the show against Eubank.
Eubank has ring smarts and should be able to use his speed and size to wear Benn down whilst popping off spiteful combinations.
Benn’s youthful exuberance and willingness to throw caution to the wind may well see him get caught late in the contest.
Eubank Jr v Benn Tips
Chris Eubank Jr to beat Conor Benn by KO/TKO or Disqualification at Evens with bet365
Chris Eubank Jr to beat Conor Benn by KO/TKO or Disqualification - 1/1
Lewis fancies a win for Eubank Jr on Saturday night
Eubank Jr v Benn
Chris Eubank Jr to beat Conor Benn by KO/TKO in Rounds 7-9 at 9/2 with bet365
Chris Eubank Jr to beat Conor Benn by KO/TKO in Rounds 7-9 - 9/2
A knockout in rounds 7-9 is fancied
Eubank Jr v Benn
Over 8.5 Rounds at 5/6 with bet365
Over 8.5 Rounds at 5/6 with bet365
This fight looks set to go a long way
Eubank Jr v Benn
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