“That’s disgraceful! I’m gonna stand in your corner? You must be mad! You must be mad! I would never be in your corner. You’re a disgrace!” Strong words. But then again, Chris Eubank Sr. is a serious man who is known for his grace and stately disposition. So, when asked for his response to his son smashing an egg across Conor Benn’s face, strong words are to be expected. So, while boxers like Devin Haney, Jaron Ennis, Ryan Garcia, and even his opponent Conor Benn have their fathers backing them every step of the way, it’s a different story when it comes to Chris Eubank Jr. In fact, though Sr. mentored and trained him during his amateur days, the bond between father and son has grown distant of late. At one point, Eubank Jr. even separated himself from the family just to gain more independence, both personally and professionally.
But how long can you really stay away from blood ties, especially with a fight this big coming up? In just a week, Chris Eubank Jr. is set to face off against Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. And let’s be honest, this isn’t just another boxing match. This one is personal. Their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr., had their own war in the ring back in the ’90s — with Benn losing via TKO in 1990 and the rematch ending in a draw in 1993. Now, Conor Benn is stepping in, looking to rewrite history and settle the score.
Nigel Benn is expected to be ringside, backing his son in what’s being called a generational grudge match. But on the other side? Chris Eubank Jr. won’t have his father in his corner — not physically, and not emotionally either. It’s clear Eubank Jr. wants this fight to be about his legacy, not the shadow of what his father started decades ago. In a reflection of the history at stake, earlier today, taking to his Instagram, Chris Eubank Jr. wrote, “The mission will be completed, April 26.” In the clip, he opened up about the brutal reality of boxing, calling “It’s the loneliest, cruelest profession you could possibly imagine.” And honestly, if you think about it, he’s not wrong. “When the bell goes, there is no help. You are alone,” he said.
Eubank Jr. talked about how all that pressure—being thrown into tough, high-stakes situations over and over again—forced him to shut his emotions off. “Whether it’s hostile, whether it’s a fight, whether it’s a press conference,” he said, his heart rate doesn’t even change anymore. He’s been through so much in life, he said, that nothing really shakes him. That’s the mindset he’s built. “Your job as a professional fighter is to just prepare yourself for each and every outcome. That is what a training camp is about. That is what living the life of a fighter is about.”
And with the Conor Benn fight just around the corner, he made it clear: “This is a massive fight for me.” On top of everything, “It’s extremely personal.” There’s real “bad blood” between them. While their fathers had a legendary rivalry back in the ’90s, Chris Jr. and Conor now have their own beef, their own storyline. And in Eubank Jr.’s eyes? It might be even bigger than what their dads started. “Now me and Conor have our own story. Our own narrative. Which is now… maybe even bigger than what our fathers had,” he concluded.
This isn’t just about boxing history. This is about legacy, pride, and settling something that’s been brewing for years. For Chris Eubank Jr., this fight isn’t about carrying on his father’s legacy—it’s about carving out his own. He’s not stepping into the ring to settle an old score from the past. He’s doing it for himself—as a fighter, as a man, and as someone determined to write his own story.
When he wins, he wants the victory to be his and his alone, not something tied to a decades-old rivalry started by his father. But it seems like his father still isn’t ready to step away from the spotlight — or the matchmaking for his son. Despite their distance, Chris Eubank Sr. appears to still be working behind the scenes, trying to secure a solid matchup next for his son.
Father knows best? Chris Eubank Jr. asked to fight this boxing superstar
Chris Eubank Sr. stirred things up again a few days ago with a bold clip on X. “Ladies and gentlemen! I’d back Eubank Jr. vs Canelo – And here’s why. New episode of #callchriseubank is out now,” he wrote. In the clip, he dove right into the buzz surrounding a potential Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight. His take? That fight just doesn’t make sense.
Instead, he suggested a more balanced showdown: Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez. And honestly? He’s got a point. Both fighters are in similar weight classes. There’s no extreme weight-cutting or bulking up involved. Plus, they’re around the same age and experience level. It’s a fight that makes more sense on paper, and it would be a huge opportunity for Eubank Jr. to step into the global spotlight.
Now, contrast that with the fight that’s actually happening — Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn. Benn is moving up in weight to take on Eubank Jr., and Sr. isn’t a fan of the matchup. He thought it was a risky move with more to lose than gain, especially when a fight with someone like Canelo could bring bigger rewards without all the complications of a grudge match.
That said, Sr. still has massive respect for Terence Crawford. He called him “a brilliant, talented, fabulous, and extraordinary champion of the old school” — and believed today’s fighters should be learning from him. But here’s the thing — whether Eubank Sr. likes it or not, Canelo vs. Crawford is still happening. And as for Eubank Jr. vs. Benn? That fight’s locked in and happening April 26th. So while Sr. might have his preferences, the sport — and its stories — move forward either way.
Will Chris Eubank Jr. finally step out of his father’s shadow with this fight? Can Conor Benn rewrite history and avenge his father’s defeat? Do share your thoughts with us below.
The post ‘Disgraced’ by Father, Chris Eubank Jr. Makes It ‘Personal’ Before Conor Benn Fight appeared first on EssentiallySports.
