Chris Eubank Jr. wants to right all the wrongs from his past. As he gears up to finally conclude the legacy rivalry with Conor Benn in a few days, he does not want any ghosts of the past coming back to haunt him. The duo was set to collide in 2022 at the O2 Arena. However, it never happened as Benn failed two VADA d**g tests, leading to a two-year provisional suspension and the event’s cancellation. The fallout hit more than just the headliners.
Undercard fighters, who had invested heavily in training camps for what promised to be a monumental night, received nothing. Though many have since moved forward, the financial and emotional sting of that lost opportunity still lingers. Fast forward to 2025, the IBO middleweight champion vowed to set things right. During the London press conference, the 35-year-old announced the allocation of £50,000 from his own fight purse and distribute it evenly among the fighters who had been shortchanged in 2022. Has he delivered on his promise? Well, the boxers themselves have answered.
Chris Eubank Jr.: A Man of his word
Indeed, he has. Following the press conference, various fighters have come out to confirm that the Sussex native has already delivered on his promise. The female unified super bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney was the first to acknowledge. He took to his ‘X’ and wrote, “Just checked my Eu-Bank statement and Chris was as good as his word Thank you @chriseubankjr.” In 2022, Scotney, then an undefeated 5-0 prospect, was scheduled to face Mary Romero on the undercard. A fight that was rearranged a few days later on the Katie Taylor-Karen Elizabeth Carabajal undercard.
Veteran light heavyweight Lyndon Arthur also verified the payment. He tweeted, “Gotta respect Eubank junior he actually paid what he said he would off the undercard from the 1st one.” Coincidentally, King Arthur is on the Chris Eubank-Conor Benn, April 26 undercard and will face Anthony Yarde.
Felix Cash, who was supposed to take on Connor Coyle for the WBA Intercontinental middleweight championship on the 2022 undercard, also praised Chris Eubank Jr. on his Instagram story. “Just wanna say fair play Chris @chriseubankjr. Man of his word not that I was thinking he would. But send me money out out the 50000. He didn’t have to do that. Wasn’t place to do that and didn’t have to.” Cash last fought in June 2024 against Tyler Denny, suffering his first professional loss, and has yet to return to the ring.
While the 34-3 boxer received widespread respect for delivering on his pledge, Conor Benn had different ideas. A few weeks ago, The Destroyer ridiculed Eubank Jr., alleging that the latter owes soccer star Neymar Jr. £4 million in poker debts from high-stakes games, which, according to Benn, is the reason he is taking the fight.
It is not about money
Last month, the Sussex native appeared in an ‘All Out Boxing’ interview on YouTube. With the debt allegations by Conor Benn being the center stage, the interviewer asked, “Do you owe Neymar £4 million?” as the boxer let out a chuckle.
He kept his calm and delivered a sharp response to Benn and all the critics, declaring, “That is none of your business, my friend.” He clarified that if there is any kind of debt, “That is between me and my good friend Ney,” and he is not answerable to anyone else.
The 35-year-old went on to describe poker as his lifesaver and more than just a hobby. It is the only thing that gives him an “adrenaline rush,” and he will continue to pursue high-stakes games without any regret.
Given his recent generosity in compensating the undercard fighters, it’s hard to paint Eubank Jr. as financially reckless. If he’s true to his word and handles his debts privately, does it really matter how he spends his money at the poker table? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts down below.
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