On the 26th of April 2025, Conor Benn (then 23-0, 14KO) was scheduled to jump up two weight classes from his usual welterweight limit to take on long-time rival Chris Eubank Jnr (then 34-3, 25KO) in a middleweight clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The anticipation for this bout was immense, fueled by the historic rivalry between their fathers, Chris Eubank Snr and Nigel Benn, in the 1990s. However, the fight was shrouded in controversy, particularly concerning the agreed-upon catchweight and the stern warnings issued by Chris Eubank Snr.
Benn had stated that the bout would be his only contest at 160lbs before returning to his more natural weight limit, in what would be a career heaviest. He had only ever reached above 154lbs once in his career, during his comeback fight against Rodolfo Orozco (33-4-3, 25KO) on September 23, 2023, where he secured a unanimous decision victory at super-welterweight. This return to the ring followed a significant period of inactivity after his originally scheduled fight with Eubank Jnr in October 2022 was postponed due to Benn testing positive for clomifene.
Despite the huge media circus following the fight in recent weeks, Chris Eubank Snr vehemently believed the fight should not go ahead due to the catchweight rulings set for the contest, expressing profound concerns for the fighters’ safety.
Promoters should face ban for catchweight fights says Chris Eubank Snr
“Welterweights fight welterweights, if these rules are flouted by the promoters they have to have their licences revoked, this is why Conor Benn versus Junior will not happen,” said Eubank Snr on his YouTube channel. His strong stance highlighted the potential dangers associated with fighters competing outside their natural weight classes, particularly when significant weight discrepancies or rehydration clauses are involved.
“We are the gladiators, we are the ones who shape the minds of society when it comes to chivalry, what we do people follow, we inspire them to follow, we just can’t have these promoters trampling our statutes.” Eubank Snr’s concerns were not merely philosophical; they were deeply rooted in his own tragic experiences within the sport.
Eubank Snr knows all about the dangers of entering the ring, with his world title contest against Michael Watson ending in tragedy after Watson suffered life-changing injuries, leading to stricter rules around medical staff at events. He drew a direct parallel to this devastating event when discussing the Eubank Jnr vs Benn bout.
“Look at Michael Watson, Watson came in at eleven stone ten for a twelve stone fight, how much did that contribute to his injuries, this is real this ain’t no joke, you’ve looked at Michael you’ve seen the videos of what he went through.” He continued, “He should have come in two pounds heavier, what did that contribute to his injury, what did that take away from him to make it so that he suffered the injury that he did, this is the lives of people who we have to protect.” Eubank Snr was so vehemently against the fight that he refused to be in his son’s corner for the contest, calling it a “disgrace” and expressing that his son had chosen not to listen to his warnings.
Fighter Records and Road to the Clash
Conor Benn, known as “The Destroyer,” had built an impressive undefeated record primarily in the welterweight division (147lbs). Before his first encounter with Eubank Jnr, his professional record stood at 23 wins with no losses, including 14 knockouts. Following his comeback victory over Rodolfo Orozco in September 2023, Benn also secured a unanimous decision win against Peter Dobson in February 2024, further solidifying his status as a formidable contender.
Chris Eubank Jnr, a natural middleweight (160lbs) and sometimes super-middleweight (168lbs), entered the contest with a record of 34 wins and 3 losses, boasting 25 knockouts. Eubank Jnr had a significant size and experience advantage at the higher weight class. His recent form included a dominant knockout victory over Kamil Szeremeta in October 2024. He had also avenged a previous loss to Liam Smith with a TKO victory in September 2023, showcasing his resilience and skill.
The First Encounter: Eubank Jnr Claims Victory Amidst Controversy
Despite Chris Eubank Snr’s public pleas and concerns, the highly anticipated clash between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn did indeed take place on April 26, 2025, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The fight was contested at a middleweight limit of 160lbs, with an additional rehydration clause limiting Eubank Jnr to gaining no more than 10lbs after the weigh-in, a factor that significantly complicated his weight cut and recovery. Eubank Jnr even missed weight slightly, initially scaling 160.2lbs and then 160.08oz, resulting in a substantial $500,000 fine (£375,000).
The fight itself was a brutal and frenetic twelve-round war, living up to its billing as a “Fight of the Year” contender. Chris Eubank Jnr ultimately emerged victorious, securing a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in his favor. It marked the first professional defeat for Conor Benn, who, despite his relentless pressure and power, was outlanded by the more seasoned Eubank Jnr. Eubank Jnr, visibly relieved, acknowledged Benn’s unexpected tenacity after the fight, stating, “I didn’t think he’d be the guy to bring it out of me like that, but the fact that our fathers did what they did all those years ago, it brings out a different soul and a different spirit to you.”
The Rematch and Its Aftermath
The rivalry was far from over, however. A highly anticipated rematch between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn took place on November 15, 2025, once again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In a stunning turn of events, Conor Benn avenged his earlier defeat with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Eubank Jnr. Benn showcased a brilliant display of boxing, dropping Eubank Jnr twice in the twelfth and final round, sealing a decisive win on the judges’ scorecards (119-107, 116-110, and 118-108).
Following his emphatic victory, Benn declared the rivalry concluded, stating, “This is the end of the Benn-Eubank saga, over. Chris has twins coming and I have my boy, but this ends here.” This victory not only leveled the score between the two fighters but also had significant implications for their careers. Conor Benn’s current professional record stands at 25 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, with 14 knockouts. He continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis on April 11, 2026. His success at middleweight, despite being a natural welterweight, has opened up new possibilities, though he has expressed a desire to return to the 147lb division.
Chris Eubank Jnr’s record now stands at 35 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws, with 25 knockouts. The loss to Benn in the rematch, particularly the late knockdowns, marked a challenging moment in his career. While Eubank Jnr remains a prominent figure in the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions, the two encounters with Benn have added a complex chapter to his legacy, underscoring the unpredictable nature of catchweight contests and the enduring intensity of family rivalries in boxing.
