Chris Eubank Jr secured a dramatic and hard-fought victory over Conor Benn on Saturday night – but the win was met with a chorus of boos from fans packed inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The highly anticipated grudge match, fuelled by months of fierce rivalry and family legacy, did not disappoint as it brought fireworks to north London. Bad blood between the fighters – the sons of boxing legends Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn – had dominated the build-up, and the atmosphere was electric as they finally shared the ring.
Benn, 28, started the bout with explosive energy, landing a flurry of punches in the opening rounds and putting Eubank Jr under early pressure. However, the 35-year-old showed his composure and experience, weathering the storm before turning the tide in the middle rounds.
Summoning the fighting spirit famously associated with his father, Eubank Jr gradually seized control of the contest, showcasing slick footwork, precision counterpunching, and relentless body shots. As the rounds progressed, Benn’s early dominance faded, and Eubank Jr capitalised to pull ahead on the judges’ scorecards.
At the end of a bruising 12 rounds, Eubank Jr was awarded a unanimous decision to seal a landmark victory in his storied career. Despite his success, the crowd’s reaction was mixed, with many vocal fans expressing disappointment at the result.
Speaking after the fight, Eubank Jr said:
“I knew this would be tough, but I stuck to the plan, stayed patient, and got the job done. Credit to Conor – he’s a warrior – but tonight, history repeated itself.
Conor Benn, clearly dejected, commented:
“I felt I did enough early on, but it slipped away. Congratulations to Chris. This isn’t over – I’ll be back.”
Adding to the drama, both fighters’ fathers – Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn – were present at ringside, evoking memories of their brutal battles in the 1990s.
Given the intense build-up and the controversy surrounding the decision, calls for a rematch are already growing. Promoters are expected to announce discussions in the coming weeks as fans clamour for a second chapter in this historic rivalry.
