The Benn vs Eubank rivalry is amongst the most bitter in all of boxing, and positive words from one side to the other are as rare as hen’s teeth.
However, that toxic trend has been bucked this week, as Chris Eubank Sr has sent an impassioned public plea to his old adversary Nigel’s son Conor.
A grudge match between Conor and Chris Jr has been in topsy turvy negotiations for almost all of 2023, despite the unresolved performance enhancing drugs case that still hangs over the former.
And whilst appearing on Up Front With Simon Jordan, Eubank Sr implored Benn to be wary of those around him – whom the former the two weight world champion described as a “gang.”
“I’ve always backed you, Conor. You’re sensible. If it’s true that you’ve send things about me that aren’t complimentary, then I don’t mind that – because I look at the people you’re around.”
“The people around you are part of a gang, it’s a team play and you’re the mark. You’re the only people who are going to look out for you are yourself – supposedly your dad – and people like me.”
“You can trust me, you’ve seen me get up in a fight I can’t win and walk back into the fire. I’m not going to mislead you, I’m a law man.”
Credit: Ed Mulholland, Matchroom
Eubank Sr has always been a staunch opponent of his son and Benn locking horns in the ring – even before the shocking fight week emergence that The Destroyer had returned two positive VADA tests last year.
He is therefore likely to be a happy man this week, as Eubank Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland told reporters that talks for the polarising clash were “dead in the water,” and that Next Gen could instead fight for the IBO world middleweight title in the opening stanza of 2024.
Boxing fans seem to have grown tired of the constant “will they, won’t they?” surrounding Benn vs Eubank, with contracts going from being on the brink of signing one day and thrown in the bin the next.
