Chaos erupted at the press conference for the long-anticipated match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn held on February 25, 2025, at the Manchester Central Auditorium. The altercation began when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn across the face with raw egg during their face-off, creating quite the stir among fans and media alike.
The atmosphere quickly grew heated as tempers flared on stage. Eubank Jr’s unexpected stunt—aimed at referencing Benn's previous doping allegations linked to eggs—sparked outrage. Benn, visibly infuriated, had to be restrained by multiple security personnel as attendees witnessed the spectacle unravel.
Following the egg slap, Eddie Hearn, Benn's promoter, waded through the chaos, directing his frustration at Ben Shalom, Eubank Jr’s promoter. Hearn was seen shoving Shalom during the melee, which only contributed to the tumultuous environment surrounding the fight’s promotion.
"I wanted to try and tell Eubank Jr it was a b**** move," Hearn later stated, addressing the situation to iFL TV. He insisted, "Nothing wrong happened, was it?!" referring to the physical shove he delivered during the scuffle.
The preparations for their April 26 fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have now been overshadowed by the confrontation. Hearn and Shalom, both seasoned promoters, clashed verbally as they exchanged accusations. Hearn accused Shalom of being aware of the egg plan, to which Shalom firmly rebutted, stating, "I didn’t know about the egg stunt. It wasn’t about him, it wasn’t about me."
Hyper-aware of the public spectacle, Shalom expressed his disbelief and clarified: "I think at the start, he thought it was glass; he didn’t realize it was egg. He’s lost his head, trying to do whatever." This tit-for-tat only intensified as both promoters attempted to maintain composure post-incident, though their rivalry was palpable.
The feud between Eubank Jr. and Benn dates back years, initially sparking from their fateful proposed match-up back in 2022, which collapsed after Benn tested positive for clomifene. This cloud of controversy continues to loom over their scheduled clash, adding fuel to their already fiery interactions.
During the intense face-off at the press conference, Eubank Jr. reportedly said, "Apparently egg contamination was the reason for his two failed drug tests. So I contaminated him with an egg". This line drew gasps from the crowd and encapsulated the existing tensions between the two boxers, whose fathers also had legendary boxing rivalries.
Hearn, addressing the potential fallout from the event, cautioned, "The whole fight is off, because they are scrapping to the absolute end." He emphasized the urgent need for security measures at their next engagement, solemnly noting, "We have to put provisions in place - put a lid on it - to make sure this doesn't get out of control."
Despite the drama, both fighters seemed intent on shaking off the chaos and remaining focused on the schedule. They are now gearing up for another press conference on Thursday, where tensions are expected to remain high as they continue to trade barbs.
The fight will be streamed live from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has already sparked considerable interest, largely due to the historic animosity contextualizing their matchup. Given the events of the press conference, it remains to be seen how the atmosphere will play out as they not only do battle in the ring but also through their vengeful rivalries.
This volatile feud will not only test the limits of the boxers' physical skills but also the capability of the promotional team to manage the explosive narratives surrounding them. Fans await what promises to be not only entertainment inside the ropes but also outside, as Eubank Jr. and Benn stand ready to settle their scores once and for all.