Carl Froch believes it is clear what will happen if Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn were to face off in the ring once more.
Back in April, these two generational rivals finally stepped into the ring after more than two and a half years of build-up. Their first fight was scheduled for October 2022 but was canned late in the day when Benn tested positive for a banned substance.
As soon as he was cleared to fight on UK soil, the 28-year-old locked in the date with Eubank Jr, moving up from his natural 147 weight limit to 160lbs. It was an all-action fight from the moment the first bell sounded until the conclusion of the 12th round. Though Benn had success early on, it was Eubank’s size and experience which saw him run out a unanimous points winner.
Speaking to Sporting Talk, former champion Froch first assessed the fight.
“I thought Eubank was in control all the way through. He got clipped with a shot in round three and a couple of shots throughout the fight, it ebbed and flowed, but for me Eubank was in control. But he’s got that height and reach, all that experience.
“It was quite a close fight but the right man won. Entertaining because he did get clipped with some shots, but he was bouncing Conor Benn’s head all over the place at the end of round 11 and in round 12.”
Despite enjoying the fight, Froch, like many others, is not as interested in a rematch, saying the result will be the same.
“I’m not sure the rematch is as big. The first fight was great, we’ve seen it now, we know what’s going to happen. Benn’s not big enough to be at [middleweight].
“Benn did great, fought his heart out, had a right go, but luckily for him, Eubank was dead on the scales. Doing that rehydration clause, I thought was out of order, but he signed up to it. But it made it more of a fair battle, as unfair as it is, someone draining their weight off and getting in the ring already half-cooked.”
“I’d be surprised if Conor Benn wants that fight. His trainer Tony Simms knows better than to put him back in there … If you’re looking after Conor Benn and not the bank account of somebody else, you’re not taking that fight.”
Benn has since said he will pursue a world title back down at 147 if he can’t get the Eubank rematch next, and that the rivalry would then be over since he is not eager to move up and down in weight unnecessarily.
Eubank is keen on running it back, however his team has expressed an interest in renegotiating the pre-agreed terms, perhaps notably around the weight restriction.
