Chris Eubank Jr admits his recent encounter with his father Chris Eubank Sr was “rocky”, but remains hopeful that he will be there for his fight with Conor Benn.
Eubank Sr has been absent from the build-up so far for his son’s April 26, rescheduled middleweight showdown against Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The former two-weight world champion was a regular figure in his son’s career, until the pair cut ties a few years ago.
They have not been on speaking terms since, but crossed paths at the Brighton Centre earlier this month to witness Harlem Eubank’s stoppage victory over Tyrone McKenna.
“It wasn’t prearranged,” Eubank Jr told All Out Fighting.
“But I decided to show up and you know say hello.”
Asked when he last spoke to his father, he replied: “A real conversation in person? Years.
“The truth is I was never naive.
“I always knew the things that were going on.
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“I always knew the pitfalls and the dangers, but I entrusted him to sort everything out and it got to the stage where I decided that I can’t trust anyone but myself with such important decisions in my life and in my career.”
Eubank Jr was meant to face Benn in October 2022, only for the clash to be shelved on fight week after ‘The Destroyer’ twice tested positive for the banned substance Clomiphene.
Eubank Sr, who fought Conor’s father Nigel Benn twice in the 1990’s, was vocal in his disapproval of the original fight going ahead, particularly as the bout was contracted for 157lbs – three pounds below his son’s usual fight weight.
Their April 26 meeting will take place at 160lbs, although both men cannot weigh more than 10lbs at a second day weigh in on the morning of the fight – a clause which seems to favour Benn, who is moving up a weight class.
Eubank Jr admits his father remains concerned about the weight restrictions, but is hopeful that he will make an appearance on fight night.
“It definitely started off good,” the 35-year-old said of their chat.
“There were still some bumpy, rocky issues that came up.
“But I’m still hopeful that the encounter, we’ll be able to build on it.
“His thing is, weight classes and safety in terms of my weight cutting and rehydration.
“But we are fighters.
“I’m 35-years-old. I’m not a kid anymore.
“You can’t be worried or fearful for my safety.
“The fight will happen and he should be there.”
