They made their fathers proud: Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn fight to the end

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn – though viewed as a sideshow by some (celebrity lookalikes at ringside?) was a full-fledged electric battle of determination and family pride.

I’ll be the first to admit it – I didn’t expect the fight to be such a cracker.

I favored Eubank because of his size and experience, but the heart and desire shown by both boxers, fighting for their fathers’ legacies, both former champions, epitomize what boxing can be.

The theater of boxing was on full display. The father and son reunion of the Eubanks, walking out together as seniors’ old theme blasted across the stadium, was impossible to ignore.

Conor Benn was in the ring first, with his dad Nigel nearby. The younger Benn paced like a caged animal. Eubank Jr. sneered at his opponent.

Was I watching a movie or a professional fight?

The fight was like both – a slow burner that caught fire in the middle and blazed to the end.

Benn rushed Eubank in the opening stanza but ran into a jab. Benn was swinging for the fences.

Eubank stayed within himself, working his jab up and down.

The faster Benn landed a big shot in round three that either wobbled Eubank temporarily or knocked him off balance. Eubank opened up in round four, the bigger man reaching the smaller man, but Benn came back blasting.

Eubank kept working his jab as Benn kept firing his right. Both were landing. Through six rounds, the fight was tight. Eubank connected with two uppercuts that jarred Benn.

Benn had the crowd roaring as he unloaded on Eubank early in round eight. Eubank turned the tide in his favor in the last minute of the round, tattooing Benn with hooks.

An accidental headbutt caused a slice near Eubank’s left eye. He blinked away the blood and pain and banked the round with activity. Benn drove a shot into the belly of a tired Eubank in round 10. Eubank fought back with blistering shots that backed Benn into the ropes. Benn landed more heavy shots in round 11. Eubank walked through them, unloading punches.

The fighters engaged in toe-to-toe action in the 12th and final round. Punches bouncing off each other like bullets. Neither man wanted to give an inch.

Eubanks was the announced victor by scores of 116-112.

Fair scoring, the better man won.

Benn stood off to the side as Eubank screamed and acknowledged his victory. The buildup had been intense and personal. As much as boxing nowadays can be like WWE, this grudge was real.

Eubank was appreciative and respectful of Benn after the fight.

“I didn’t think he’d be the guy to bring it out of me like that, said Eubank. “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. And that’s what we both showed here. I pushed through.”

He then mentioned his father.

“But I’m happy to have this man [his father] back in my life. We’ve upheld the family name like we said we were going to do.”

“I felt like it was a close fight,” said Benn. “I’ve got to watch it back. I stayed on the ropes maybe a bit too long. He worked harder towards the end. I’ll have to watch it back, but I enjoyed it.”

So, did we.