Ricky Hatton has given his view on the upcoming battle between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
The families of these two fierce rivals have been intertwined in the sport for decades as their fathers fought famous battles in the ring that are some of the best this country has ever seen.
Now it is Eubank, 35, and Benn, 28, who square off with one another on 26 April after almost two years of build up. Their first fight was scheduled for October 2022 but Benn tested positive for a banned substance and so the card was pulled late in the day.
Benn – who has fought twice in the US between then and now, picking up two points wins – has spent the majority of the time since the scandal pleading his innocence. Late last year he was he freed to compete under the auspices of the British Boxing Board of Control and the Eubank bout was quickly rescheduled.
Eubank has stayed active, twice fighting Liam Smith in 2023. He lost the first contest by early KO and then avenged the defeat with his own stoppage just six months later before beating Kamil Szeremeta inside the distance in October of last year.
Speaking to Seconds Out, former world champion Hatton was asked how Benn has to approach the fight if he is to win.
“I think he’s got to keep a cool head. His dad was very gung-ho, threw everything to the wind. Conor is a little more patient, skilful, goes in behind the jab a bit more where Nigel just used to come in.
“I think Nigel will agree with me he’s got a good boxing ability, he’s got to be aggressive, but use a bit of finesse and be clever in his approach.
“But listen, he is up against it, he’s going up in levels. He’s never fought anyone at the level of Eubank Jr at his own weight, let alone going up two weights so it is a massive massive ask, but even though Conor hasn’t got the experience his dad has, he’s got every bit of that will and confidence and self desire.”
