Nigel Benn has reacted to the public rift between Chris Eubank Sr and his son just days before the biggest fight of his life.
Benn and Eubank Sr started a British boxing rivalry in the 1990s that will be reignited this week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Conor and Chris Jr set to battle it out at middleweight in front of 60,000 fans.
Benn will be moving up two divisions from his natural class for the challenge while Eubank, who has competed at middle and super-middle throughout his campaign, faces a 10lbs rehydration clause on the morning of the fight.
Eubank Sr takes serious issue with the weight details, recently telling Seconds Out that he still believes, just a week out, that the fight will not go ahead.
“They’re breaking the rules. And when you break the rules, we have a country of baboons. This is Great Britain. We developed boxing. So, stick to the rules. Otherwise, what happens to the fighters is what you’re seeing here.
“The fight won’t happen. I am so confident about this fact. It will not happen.”
He also criticised his son for his stunt at the launch press conference.
“Jr, you’re smashing an egg against this guy’s face. I didn’t teach you that. Who taught you that? Did [your mother] teach you that? Who taught you that? That’s disgraceful.
I’m going to stand in your corner? You must be mad. I’d never be in your corner, you’re a disgrace, you’re smashing an egg in someone’s face, then you’re trying to justify that. There’s nothing noble about that.”
Nigel Benn, who lost and drew with Eubank Sr, is very much in his son’s corner. Speaking to the Ring Magazine after touching down in London from training camp in Majorca, ‘The Dark Destroyer’ said his rival’s comments upset him.
“I heard some comments. It really kind of upset [me]. Putting his son down publicly, slagging his son off, I don’t think it’s right … I wish they’d both get their heads together. At the end of the day, that’s your son and that’s your father.
“I don’t want to see Chris fall out with his son. It’s absolutely horrible … I want it to be a family affair, together as a team … Someone say ‘we’re bigger than that.’ … Whatever it takes … One thing you’ve got to understand is my son couldn’t stand me. He hated me. That’s a strong word but my son didn’t like me at all for many years. But I apologised and moved forward. Look where we are today. Flying back for the biggest fight of his life and I’m in his corner 110%.”
