Chris Eubank Sr. has spoken about his son’s gritty performance against Conor Benn last weekend.
For much of the build-up to this fight, Eubank Sr was less than impressed with his son’s antics, particularly the egg-smashing incident, and had suggested he wanted the fight to be called off due to the issues around the difference in weight between the fighters, with Benn being a natural 147 pounder and Eubank hampered at 160 by a ten pound rehydration clause.
Despite allegedly not talking to Junior for many months, the British boxing legend turned up on fight night, and the pair walked in together in what was a dramatic moment before the first bell.
Once the contest started, Benn brought the aggression and threw plenty of spiteful shots. Eubank Jr outlanded the smaller man with his combinations and cleaner work, and really came into the fight as things progressed and his natural size advantage began to show. After a fantastic and busy finish, he won a unanimous decision of 116-112 on all three cards.
“The style that you had was incredible but you changed that style to that of Mr Jones. This has made you, in my view, an ordinary fighter. I say this because it’s not really you I’m speaking to Junior. I’m speaking to the audience of fighters out there. You are looking for wisdom, young men. You should never have really changed your style, your style was one of brilliance. You are not a reflex fighter, which is what you have now gone to by dropping your hands. That’s part and parcel of the reason why you have decreased in ability as well as your age.”
However, speaking on his Call Chris Eubank channel post-fight, Senior was nothing but positive and praised his son’s mettle in those later rounds.
“I’ve had no chance to watch the fight [back], but I know what I felt. When you feel it, it means it’s a hit.
“My recollection is that from round six, he’s going toe-to-toe, so it’s a battle of will. Those last two rounds, what they refer to as the championship rounds, I didn’t know he could get through that. I know his age. I know about the dehydration, I know he’s doing what is not possible.
“If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your term long after they’re gone and so hold on when there is nothing left in you except the will which says hold on – Rudyard’s Kipling If.”
Benn is keen to avenge the one and only loss on his ledger, and a rematch clause is already in place, so it seems the pair will run it back unless Eubank retires.
