Like father, like son – Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn throw hands this Saturday

The Eubanks and the Benns have some history.

Perhaps not like the Hatfields and McCoys, but it is a bitter narrative from several years ago.

It all began over thirty years ago when Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Been, dads to Chris Jr. and Conor, who fight this Saturday night, met in a grudge match at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, Eng.

Opposites in and out of the ring, the fighters had circled each other for years. Boxer-puncher natty dresser Eubank entered the fight undefeated in 24 fights. Power-punching destroyer Benn had one loss in 27 contests, knocking out 25 opponents.

Most fans thought WBO champion Benn would stop the more unheralded Eubank, but in a war, Eubank flipped the script, halting Benn in the ninth frame.

A rematch had to happen, and it did, but a full three years later. Both were champions and, like their first fight, a violent back-and-forth confrontation that this time ended in a draw.

A third fight never happened.

Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) and Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) were supposed to have fought in 2022 until it was canceled when Benn failed two tests for performance-enhancing drugs.

Eubank was not happy.

“Of course, I have disdain for this man,” said Eubank,35, last month. “He tried to cheat. He did cheat! In our first fight, two and a half years ago. He took performance-enhancing drugs. He was caught – and the fight got called off. So animosity is rife between me and him.”

Benn’s dislike of Eubank is obvious.

“It’s always personal,” Benn said yesterday. “This one has a little more history to it, shall we say. I’m excited to go in there and do a number on him.”

Eubank insisted the deciding factor would be his experience in big fights.

“I’ve forgotten more things than he knows, and that will show on the night–the experience, the dedication, and the will,” he said. “These will be the deciding factors. I will be like a matador in there and Conor Benn will be the bull. I’m calm. I’m very at peace with where I am in my life and where I am in this fight. I really believe that everything I’ve trained for will come to fruition.”

Eubank does have more names on his resume. He’s lost three fights – all to former world champions. Eubank was on the short end of decisions to Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves and was stopped by Liam Smith in 2023. He avenged the Smith setback eight months later. That performance was perhaps his career best.

Benn’s lone name is a knockout of Chris Algieri four years ago. He’s won his most recent fights by decision. The former welterweight moved up a division in those fights and is doing it again (middleweight) to face Eubank.

Eubank has created a persona of arrogance personified. Fans love to boo him. He embraces it, but his bad guy image doesn’t include doing something kind, like reimbursing boxers who were part of his canceled fight with Benn in 2022.

So who wins?

Eubank is favored, which makes sense; he’s bigger and more experienced.

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s FULL public workout!