Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn got into a heated altercation in Saudi Arabia on Friday morning. Benn ran into his fierce rival on weigh-in day while Eubank Jr was shedding off the final few pounds ahead of his middleweight clash with Poland's Kamil Szeremeta on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol undercard this weekend.
Footage shared by Eubank Jr on social media shows both men - surrounded by reporters - exchanging verbal jabs in a hotel lobby. As Benn squares up, Eubank Jr says: "You see this guy comes in when I'm cutting weight." Benn then fires back: "Cutting weight? I'll see you tomorrow after the fight, I'm going to get into that ring and f***ing give it to you."
"You're fing lucky you're fighting tomorrow. You're lucky mate." With a wide smile on his face, Eubank Jr replies: "I like this energy. You're a kid. Watch what happens. You're a p*." Benn then shoves Eubank Jr as security steps in and separates the pair.
'The Destroyer' continues: "Watch what happens? Dead boy walking, yeah. Dead boy walking, yeah."
"You're lucky you're fighting tomorrow and I need you to win."
"I'm going to give you a good a*** beating in front of 60,000."
"That's what is going to happen. I'll be here tomorrow."
"I'll see you tomorrow night then you arrogant p***." The pair were due to face each other in October 2022 but their fight was cancelled at the last minute after it was revealed Benn had failed two pre-fight drug tests. Following this revelation, Benn was stripped of his British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) license and was charged by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).
Last year, the National Anti-Doping Panel lifted Benn's provisional suspension, although the BBBofC and UKAD won an appeal to have it reimposed in May. During this period of confusion, 'The Destroyer' managed to secure two wins over Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson under a Texas Boxing Commission license, though he hasn't fought since February.
Benn and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, have since come out and declared that news on a resolution is expected this month and he could return to action in February 2025 with Eubank Jr looking to be the most likely target at the time of writing.
The Aftermath of a Cancelled Fight
The heated exchange between Benn and Eubank Jr. highlights the lingering tension between the two fighters, stemming from the cancellation of their highly anticipated fight in 2022. The fight was called off after Benn failed two drug tests, a scandal that has cast a shadow over both fighters' careers. Despite the controversy, the rivalry between Benn and Eubank Jr. continues to simmer.
A History of Rivalry
The rivalry between the two boxers goes beyond their own personal animosity. Their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, were also fierce rivals in the boxing ring. Their legendary fights in the 1990s captivated audiences and helped to define the era of British boxing. This generational rivalry has added another layer of complexity to the relationship between Benn and Eubank Jr., intensifying their animosity and the public interest in their potential match-up.
The Road to Redemption?
The future of Benn's career remains uncertain, despite the recent news that his suspension may be lifted. The outcome of the investigation into his drug test failures will likely determine whether he is able to return to the ring and face Eubank Jr. for the long-awaited showdown. With Benn's career on the line, the stakes are high for both fighters, and the potential for a fight between them remains a tantalizing prospect for boxing fans worldwide. However, the lingering controversies surrounding Benn's drug test failures have raised questions about whether the fight can ever truly be a fair and legitimate contest.
The Future of the Rivalry
The confrontation between Benn and Eubank Jr. in Saudi Arabia is a stark reminder of the deep animosity that exists between them. While their rivalry is a captivating spectacle for boxing fans, it also underscores the complex and often messy nature of the sport. The future of their rivalry remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: their animosity is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. The potential for a fight between them, however, is a story that will continue to unfold in the coming months.
The Price of a Ticket
The highly anticipated fight between Eubank Jr. and Szeremeta, as well as the main event between Beterbiev and Bivol, will be broadcast on DAZN Pay-Per-View. The PPV is priced at £19.99 for UK viewers to watch on any device, including Smart TV's, game consoles, phones, tablets and PC's. Purchasing the PPV includes a seven-day free trial of all of DAZN's programming across a range of sports. DAZN is the home of boxing, showing over 150 fights a year, broadcasting a variety of boxing programming - press conferences, weigh-ins, exclusive interviews, documentaries and much more - week in, week out, 52 weeks a year from all around the world, in all divisions, at all levels.
