Mike Tyson is excited to tune in to Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn this month.
The two Brits will do battle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, reigniting a rivalry started by their fathers in the nineties. They have, however, developed plenty of bad blood of their own since the first scheduled fight was canned due to Benn testing positive for a banned substance.
As he attempted to clear his name, Benn feels Eubank stuck the boot in. Eubank, on the other hand, has vowed to punish the younger man for what he says he will always see as cheating, regardless of any explanation he can offer or the fact that his provisional suspension to fight in the UK was lifted late last year.
The bout will take place at middleweight, two divisions up from Benn’s natural class, but has a 10 pound rehydration clause on the Saturday morning, meaning Eubank may struggle to get back to his usual fight night weight.
Some in the sport feel that the step up in weight and class will be too much for Benn, who has largely been inactive for the best part of three years, however others feel Eubank, particularly after his KO loss to Liam Smith in 2023, has seen better days.
Speaking to Men’s Health, ‘Iron’ Mike expressed his excitement for the clash – though says it is unlikely to make waves in the US – believing it to be a close match-up and refusing to back a winner due to his personal relationship with Chris Sr and Nigel.
“Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are both very exciting fighters. I don’t know America would be interested, because I don’t think they’re internationally known. Well, I like both of them and it should be a very good fight so may the best man win. I’m good friends with their fathers.”
It’s not the first time Tyson has mentioned one of the two British fighters. When Eubank Jr first moved to Vegas, the former undisputed heavyweight champion watched him train and offered the verdict of, “He’s good but he likes the girls.”
Benn has questioned Eubank’s motivation in the sport recently, believing himself to be too driven, powerful and fresh for the naturally bigger man to keep up with him.
