Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn faced off during their highly anticipated press conference this week, which was marked by chaos and humor, as tensions from their historic rivalry bubbled to the surface once again.
During the Manchester press conference on February 25, 2025, Eubank Jr pulled off quite the stunt, throwing an egg at Benn’s face. This act, described by many as both humorous and provocative, took place amid contentious discussions surrounding Benn’s past failures with drug tests, which resulted in their originally scheduled bout being canceled. Eubank Jr later defended his antics, stating, "Did I cross the line? During this whole process I think many lines have been crossed." He added, "If I had the opportunity to do it again, then I would," highlighting his willingness to stand by his actions.
The chemistry between the two fighters was noticeably charged, particularly after Benn had been recently exonerated of any wrongdoing relating to his drug tests, which had initially led to the cancellation of their fight. Eubank Jr, unabashedly maintaining his stance, articulated his views on respect within the sport, saying, "Respect for me is reserved for fighters who are true, who don't cheat...if you cheat, then I don't care how many fights you've had. There is no respect in this fight." This declaration reiterates the animosity underpinning their upcoming clash.
Following the unexpected egg incident, developed security measures were implemented for their next press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium two days later. Eubank Jr was even scanned by security with what was referred to as an "egg scanner" as he entered the venue. The rivalry intensified during this conference when Eubank Jr proclaimed, "I'm sitting up here today, on stage, with two of the scummiest characters in boxing…a drug cheat...and the man who did everything in his power to help him get away with it," targeting Benn and his promoter Eddie Hearn.
The atmosphere darkened when Nigel Benn, Conor's father and former boxing champion, intervened during the press conference after Eubank Jr jokingly referenced his previous egg-throwing incident. "You put your hands on my neck and I'm going to give you a pass...if you put your hands on my neck again, then you won't get it back," Eubank Jr warned, his tone serious as he addressed the elder Benn.
Conor Benn, undeterred by the presence of his father or the animosity, responded with determination, exclaiming, "I can't wait to smash your head in," which only added fuel to the fire of their rivalry.
To compound the excitement surrounding the upcoming match on April 26, 2025, Eubank Jr announced his intention to contribute £50,000 from his earnings to support the undercard fighters affected by their original bout cancellation. "The first fight, 20,000 people bought tickets. Hotel rooms, plane tickets, accommodation, planned their whole weekend about this fight and none were compensated by Eddie/Matchroom/Conor," he lamented. "There were many fighters who went through entire camps... thousands if not tens of thousands spent, and were never compensated." This pledge has won him favor among the fighters on the undercard, including super-bantamweight titleholder Ellie Scotney, who cheekily responded to his announcement on social media, posting, "I was on the undercard… who do I invoice?"
With their match approaching, fans are eager to witness the culmination of this historical rivalry at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both fighters have previously acknowledged the significance of their fathers' legendary bouts and seem determined to etch their own narratives. Tickets for the Eubank Jr vs. Benn fight will go on sale on February 28, 2025, and are expected to sell out quickly, reflecting the buzz surrounding this much-anticipated rematch. The showdown promises high stakes and no shortage of drama, as both fighters look to assert their dominance and legacy within the boxing world.
This clash of titans is shaping up to be not only about physical prowess inside the ring but also about the psychological warfare experienced outside of it. With personal accusations, family involvement, and mockery common throughout their promotional events, Eubank Jr and Benn have ensured the spotlight remains on them leading up to the bout. Boxing fans can look forward to one of the year's most thrilling fights, and the world will be watching on April 26.