Nigel Benn has claimed that his undefeated son, Conor Benn (23-0, 14 KOs at the time of the claim), forced IBF super-middleweight world champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs at the time of the claim) to quit during a sparring session in preparation for Conor’s highly anticipated bout with Chris Eubank Jr (34-3, 25 KOs at the time of the claim) which was scheduled for April 26, 2025.
The fierce family rivalry was set to reignite at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, two years after the original showdown was derailed by a failed drug test on Conor’s part.
The matchup carried historic weight: Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr shared one of British boxing’s most iconic rivalries during the 1990s. Their two brutal clashes captivated a generation, and now their sons were ready to continue that legacy—this time with pride, bragging rights, and career momentum on the line.
The Highly Anticipated Eubank Jr. vs. Benn Clash
The rescheduled middleweight grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn finally took place on April 26, 2025, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, a fight billed as “Fatal Fury”. Leading into the bout, Chris Eubank Jr., a natural middleweight, held a professional record of 34 wins and 3 losses with 25 knockouts. Conor Benn, who typically campaigned at welterweight, entered the ring undefeated with 23 wins and 14 knockouts, making a significant step up in weight for this contest. The fight was particularly notable given the history between their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, who had a legendary rivalry in the 1990s.
The contest lived up to its billing, delivering a “frenetic brawl” and a “Fight of the Year contender” over 12 rounds. Despite Benn’s aggressive approach and moments where he wobbled Eubank Jr., it was Chris Eubank Jr. who ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Eubank Jr. Eubank Jr., who had to contend with a rehydration clause limiting his weight gain after the weigh-in, demonstrated his superior size and experience, landing more effective blows throughout the fight. This result marked the first professional defeat for Conor Benn, whose record moved to 23-1 (14 KOs), while Eubank Jr. improved his to 35-3 (25 KOs).
Nigel Benn Shares Confidence In Son Ahead Of Eubank Jr Challenge
“Everything I’m telling you is the truth,” said Nigel Benn, speaking prior to the first Eubank Jr. fight. “He was sparring, and around round four or five, [Scull] said, ‘Hold on, I need a minute.’ He was sitting down on the ropes, looking kind of tired.”
“By rounds five, six, and seven, he was feeling the pace. Then in round eight, Conor put it on him—and what did he do? He stopped sparring. He couldn’t even come out for the eighth round.”
Nigel, the former WBC and WBO super-middleweight world champion famously nicknamed “The Dark Destroyer,” expressed unwavering belief in his son’s chances.
“I’m more confident in this fight than I was in mine against [Chris Eubank] Sr.”
The William Scull Sparring Controversy and Aftermath
Nigel Benn’s claims regarding William Scull’s performance in sparring generated considerable discussion. Scull, who was the IBF super-middleweight champion at the time, was indeed scheduled to face pound-for-pound superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on May 3, 2025, in Saudi Arabia, with the undisputed super-middleweight championship on the line. Scull had captured the vacant IBF title by defeating Vladimir Shishkin via unanimous decision in October 2024, entering the Canelo fight with an undefeated record of 23-0 (9 KOs).
However, Scull’s promoter, Ingo Volckmann, quickly refuted Nigel Benn’s assertion that Scull quit. Volckmann stated that the sparring session was scheduled for eight rounds, and it was Scull’s first session back. He also criticized Benn for publicly disclosing details of a private training session, calling it “unsportsmanlike.” Scull himself later addressed the comments, acknowledging that some rounds were tough but denying that he was “beaten up” or quit, noting they were at different stages of their preparation.
The contest against Canelo Alvarez proceeded as planned on May 3, 2025. Canelo, already holding the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles, aimed to become a two-time undisputed super-middleweight champion. The fight itself was widely described as “dull,” “boring,” and “uninspiring.” Scull adopted a highly defensive strategy, utilizing lateral movement and rarely engaging offensively, which visibly frustrated Alvarez. After 12 rounds, Canelo Alvarez secured a unanimous decision victory with scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 119-109. This result handed William Scull his first professional loss, moving his record to 23-1 (9 KOs), while Canelo improved to 63-2-2 (39 KOs).
A Rivalry Reignited: The Benn-Eubank Rematch and Divisional Implications
The highly anticipated rematch between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. took place on November 15, 2025, once again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In a decisive performance, Conor Benn avenged his earlier loss to Eubank Jr. Benn dominated the fight, notably dropping Eubank Jr. twice in the twelfth and final round. The judges’ scorecards reflected Benn’s control, with scores of 119-107, 116-110, and 118-108 all in his favor. Following this victory, Conor Benn’s professional record stood at 24 wins, 1 loss, with 14 knockouts, while Chris Eubank Jr.’s record moved to 35 wins, 4 losses, and 25 knockouts.
The outcome of these high-profile bouts had significant implications for the fighters and their respective divisions. Canelo Alvarez, after becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champion by defeating Scull, went on to face Terence Crawford on September 12, 2025, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss, bringing his record to 63-3-2 (39 KOs). William Scull, after his loss to Canelo, faced Jacob Bank on January 31, 2026, and suffered a TKO loss in the 12th round, making his current record 23-2 (9 KOs).
Conor Benn continued his career momentum, securing a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis on April 11, 2026, improving his record to 25-1 (14 KOs). Chris Eubank Jr., currently holding a record of 35-4
