Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn to rumble again in November

When I read that Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn were fighting, at least one of my eyes rolled.

Their identities had been forged by their fathers, former champions Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn.

Elders Eubank and Benn had fought two blistering battles in the 1990s.

Eubank won the first, while the second was judged a draw. Both fights were intense and highly competitive, the cerebral cocksure Eubank versus the power-punching, relentless Benn.

Eubank Sr. was eccentric, articulate, and a natty dresser.

He could also fight.

His 13 years in the ring produced two world title reigns in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions. Eubank Sr. went undefeated for 10 years. He was popular and controversial. His losses came late in his career, when he was likely past it, but he still finished with a fine record of 45 wins in 50 contests.

Nigel Benn, like Eubank Sr, was a champion in two weight divisions.  He defeated Iran Barkley, Doug DeWitt, Mauro Galvano, and Gerald McClellan. He retired with a record of 42 wins, 5 losses, and 35 big knockouts. The guy was action personified and loaded with TNT.

Eubank Jr., 35, has had an unusual professional career. He captured a minor title years ago but lost fights to Billy Joe Saunders, George Groves, and Liam Smith. Eubank Jr. avenged the Smith fight, but he’s always seemed like a fighter unsure of what he is. He’s his father’s son as far as inner confidence is concerned, but not as much as a boxer.

Benn’s career was soiled when he failed a drug test. He served his time (complaining along the way) – his biggest victory being a blistering knockout of former champion Chris Algieri.  The buildup for the first fight looked like a WWE event when Eubank Jr. smashed Benn with an egg. Benn was annoyed. Eubank Jr. grinned like the proverbial kid who stole the cookie.

The night before the bout, Eubank Sr., who hadn’t spoken to his son in months, called him and said, “I know you’ve got a big day tomorrow, and I want to be there for you.”

Senior escorted his son to the ring. The venue rocked like a moment out of a movie.

Not many expected the fight to be interesting. The bigger Eubank Jr. and welterweight Benn were fighting at a weight limit of 160 pounds. That would favor Eubank Jr. – or so it seemed. Benn still looked green while Eubank Jr. was showing signs of wear and tear.

All were wrong.

Benn started well, but Eubank Jr. caught up with him in round four. His jab was the key, and he pumped it consistently. Both fighters landed good shots in the next heat as the crowd roared.

Eubank Jr. was boxing well, but Benn was fighting back hard. Both boxers were pushing each other – resulting in a rousing fight.

Benn did well in round 10. Eubank Jr., bleeding from a cut over his right eye, was searching for a second wind. He found it in rounds 11 and 12, exchanging with Benn and hurting him.

The decision was unanimous for Eubank Jr. by identical scores of 116-112.

Eubank Jr. admitted being surprised by Benn’s grit.

“I didn’t know Conor had what he had in him,” he said.

Benn was gutted but begging for a rematch.

His second chance comes November 15 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Ch