Chris Eubank Jr made a heartfelt plea to his father to attend his career-defining fight with Conor Benn, a bout that has since unfolded into a captivating two-part saga in British boxing. The original article, published on April 24, 2025, anticipated the first clash, which was scheduled for “this Saturday” at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. This highly anticipated event marked a potential reunion, six years on from Chris Eubank Sr.’s last appearance in his son’s corner.
The relationship between Eubank Jr. and Sr. has been notably estranged in recent years. Eubank Sr. had not been actively involved in his son’s fights since his 2019 second-round stoppage of Matvey Korobov, a fight where he was present ringside at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
Despite the immense anticipation surrounding the initial bout, which was expected to draw 65,000 attendees, Eubank Sr. had voiced strong disapproval, casting a shadow over his potential presence. His concerns, particularly regarding the fight’s safety due to Benn’s two-weight jump and a stringent rehydration clause imposed on his son, were widely publicised.
The Long-Awaited Clash and its Controversial Build-Up
The rivalry between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, sons of British boxing legends Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, was always destined to capture headlines. Their fathers’ iconic battles in the 1990s set a precedent for a generational grudge match. The initial announcement of Eubank Jr. vs. Benn in July 2022 generated immediate excitement, with the fight officially scheduled for October 8, 2022, at The O2 Arena in London at a catchweight of 157 lbs.
However, this highly anticipated first encounter was dramatically postponed just days before it was due to take place, after Conor Benn tested positive for the fertility drug clomifene. This revelation led to the British Boxing Board of Control prohibiting Benn from participating, causing widespread disappointment and casting doubt on the future of the fight. Benn, who had a professional record of 23 wins and no losses at the time, saw his career face significant challenges due to the provisional suspension.
After a period out of the ring, Benn made his comeback, securing unanimous decision victories against Rodolfo Orozco in September 2023 and Peter Dobson in February 2024, rebuilding his momentum. Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jr., with a record of 35 wins and 3 losses prior to the first Benn fight, continued to compete, including a knockout victory over Kamil Szeremeta in October 2024.
The fight was eventually rescheduled for April 26, 2025, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, rekindling the intense rivalry. Leading up to this rescheduled bout, Chris Eubank Sr. remained vehemently opposed, publicly branding the event a “disgrace” and expressing serious concerns about the health risks to both fighters, particularly his son, who was making a significant weight cut. He even called for his son’s license to be revoked, highlighting the dangers of Eubank Jr. boiling down to 160 lbs from his natural walking weight, especially with a 10lb rehydration clause.
The First Encounter: Eubank Jr. Claims Victory
Despite his father’s public pleas and absence from his corner, Chris Eubank Jr. proceeded with the fight against Conor Benn on April 26, 2025. In what was indeed one of the most highly anticipated fights in British boxing in recent years, Eubank Jr. delivered a strong performance. The middleweight grudge match went the full twelve rounds, with Eubank Jr. ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory. The judges’ scorecards all read 116–112 in his favour.
This result marked Conor Benn’s first professional defeat, a significant moment in his career. Eubank Jr. reflected on the fight, stating, “I knew I was capable of that, and I just needed someone to bring that out of me. I did not expect him to be the guy to do that. The fact our fathers did it before brings out the soul in you. I did not know he [Benn] had what he had in him. I thought I’d break him early. I didn’t train for a fight like that.”
Benn’s Redemption: A Dominant Rematch Performance
The rivalry, far from settled, led to an immediate demand for a rematch. This second chapter unfolded on November 15, 2025, once again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Conor Benn avenged his earlier loss, dominating Chris Eubank Jr. over twelve rounds to win by a wide unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 119–107, 116–110, and 118–108 in favour of Benn.
Benn’s performance was particularly emphatic in the final round, where he dropped Eubank Jr. twice, coming close to securing a knockout. This victory was a significant moment of redemption for Benn, who had faced a challenging period following the initial fight’s postponement and his first professional defeat. After the fight, Benn declared the rivalry over, stating, “This is the end of the Benn-Eubank saga, over. Chris has twins coming and I have my boy, but this ends here.”
Chris Eubank Jr Says Father Will Regret Missing Conor Benn Grudge Match
In what was the biggest fight of his career so far, Chris Eubank Jr had said his father would come to regret not being present for the grudge match against Benn, and he still held out hope of seeing him ringside.
“He doesn’t need to say anything, he just needs to be there for me,” said Eubank speaking to Daily Mail Sport. “That’s what would make me happy, it’s not about words, it’s about presence, it’s about showing up for me.”
“I’ll do what I have to do on fight night, but I think it’ll be a huge shame, it will be something he’ll regret in years to come.”
His father, however, had already voiced his disapproval of the fight, calling both his son and the event a ‘disgrace’ and expressing serious concerns about the contest’s safety—particularly due to Benn’s two-weight jump and the rehydration clause imposed on his son.
Eubank Jr believes it’s the fear of losing another son that troubles his father most, especially after the tragic passing of Junior’s brother, Sebastian, who died of a heart attack in 2021. Sebastian Eubank passed away on July 9, 2021, at the age of 29, due to a heart attack while in the sea in Dubai. His widow later confirmed that a pre-existing heart condition, previously unknown to the family, was the cause.
“Of course he’s scared of losing another son,” said the 35-year old. “But this is my life, I can’t stop my dreams because he’s worried about what will happen to me, I understand it but I can’t stop what I am destined to do.”
As of May 2026, Chris Eubank Jr.’s professional record stands at 35 wins (25 KOs) and 4 losses. Conor Benn’s record is 25 wins (14 KOs) and 1 loss, having recently defeated Regis Prograis in April 2026. The two fights between Eubank Jr. and Benn have undoubtedly added a significant chapter to both their careers and the storied history of their family rivalry.
