Tonight, in the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, London, England, the thirty-five year boxing family feud between the Eubanks and Benns may finally be settled for good. We say ‘finally’, but this is boxing.
What’s remarkable is the main event of the bill titled ‘Unfinished Business’ has taken a mere seven months to come together, this after the three years it took their fathers to meet again across the ring back in the early 1990’s. There have been three professional fights between the two families and three absolute barnstormers. Tonight promises no exception.
The fight between the two sons of former world champions Nigel (Benn) and Chris (Eubank) held back in April at the same venue for tonight’s contest was fitting of the two many years ago. After three years of to’ing and fro’ing and controversy upon controversy it resulted in an all-out war but clear unanimous decision for Chris Eubank Jr (now 36) over the younger Conor Benn (now 29). The latter had stepped up two boxing weight classes for the first time and delivered an excellent performance in defeat. The contest was so ferocious that both boxers were hospitalised post-fight.
Tonight’s contest at middleweight 11st, 6lbs (160lbs) has strong domestic interest and lesser world title implications. Neither fighter has held a world title (unlike their fathers), but both are world ranked. However, given the current fractured state of world boxing amongst the middleweights, a title may well be within reach.
A more lucrative option will be to continue the family feud. For this reason we see a situation, albeit cynical, where anything but another Benn defeat is palatable to the paying public. The score currently is 2-0 to the Eubanks with one draw/tie.
Ironically, the family feud that existed between the seniors for three decades has mellowed in recent months, maybe more so in the demeanour of the always more ferocious and intense Nigel Benn. Eubank always played the cerebral role to his counterpart and was known for his eccentricity rather than his ferocity. This always rubbed Nigel up the wrong way and led to two great fights.
The DNA of the fathers is clearly evident in their juniors and this to many makes compulsive viewing. The fight is guaranteed to be a 60,000+ live sell-out at the new impressive stadium and sales will steadily grow on DAZN streaming site today where it will also be shown live and exclusive. It will though be pay-per-view so sales will be tempered by this somewhat. Both bouts between the seniors were shown prime-time on terrestrial TV to millions so that shows the modern difference.
It’s also available on TalkSport radio and BBC radio channels.
Consequently both fighters will be handsomely rewarded no matter what the outcome.
Chris Eubank Jr (36-3, 25 KOs)will rightly go in as the favourite being the naturally heavier man and having the more impressive and longer record. Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KOs) has youth on his side and being his second fight at the weight will enter with more comfort and confidence than first time up. The latter quality has never been a shortcoming of either which has again made for an interesting build-up. We expect both fathers to again be at ringside and another cracker to result.
Pushed for a prediction we are tending to ‘sit on the fence’. Eubank Jr. possesses the greater boxing ability – height, weight and reach. But, we think that Benn’s ferocity and youth will be telling factors over twelve rounds and will give him at least a draw. This will set up a trilogy between the youngers, which their fathers never had.
Enjoy and expect a Benn-Eubank V sometime early next year !
The Undisputed 