Chris Eubank Jr made headlines this week for bringing an egg to his launch press conference with Conor Benn and cracking it on his rival’s head.
The ‘born rivals’ are set to face off on April 26 over two years since their first scheduled bout fell through due to Benn twice testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.
Following an investigation conducted by the WBC, the sanctioning body announced ‘that there was was no conclusive evidence that Mr. Benn engaged in intentional or knowing ingestion of Clomiphene,’ and ‘Mr Benn’s documented and highly-elevated consumption of eggs during the times relevant to the sample collection, raised a reasonable explanation for the Adverse Finding.’
Benn has since also had a provisional suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control and the UK Anti-Doping Agency lifted, meaning this bout with Eubank can now proceed.
Eubank, however, will not let the story go, and questioned the 28-year-old at the presser on why he has not yet provided a detailed explanation as to how the substance ended up in his system. He also brought up the egg theory, and doubled down on that by producing one at the pair’s first face off and slapping Benn with it.
Chaos ensued, with Benn’s British boxing legend father Nigel immediately grabbing Eubank by the neck as security swarmed and held back his son.
In the aftermath, Nigel reacted to the stunt in an interview with Matchroom Boxing, saying he was ‘glad Conor didn’t get him’ – something the promotion will agree with given hefty fines or even licenses being revoked would be a very real possibility should the brawl have been uncontained.
I’m glad that Conor didn’t get hold of him, cause Conor was going some. Then I had the opportunity and I went [and grabbed him by the throat]. Then the big bouncer came and jumped on me, and I was like, not for me.”
Questions now surround whether or not the planned media-only press conference on Thursday at the venue – The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – will proceed, with promoter Eddie Hearn publicly stating he believes Benn will look to attack Eubank.
