Over thirty years since their fathers fought for the first time, it’s the turn of the sons this Saturday night at the O2 Arena, London, as Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet over twelve rounds.
DAZN televise Eubank Jr vs Benn live on pay-per-view, while Matchroom promote in conjunction with Wasserman Boxing.
Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn first met inside the ring way back in 1990, where Eubank stopped his bitter foe in nine rounds to take Benn’s WBO middleweight title, and almost three years later at Old Trafford, the two fought to a draw with Benn’s WBC and Eubank’s WBO super middleweight crowns on the line.
The trilogy never materialised, and they leave it to the children to fight for family honour in London.
Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 KOs) has shown signs of brilliance during his career, but the 33-year-old has largely flattered to deceive.
After building a padded early record, the 33-year-old tasted defeat for the first time in 2014, edged out by Billy Joe Saunders via split decision in a bid for the British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles.
The rebuild included interim WBA and British titles at 160 pounds, before moving up to claim the IBO super middleweight title in 2017, stopping Renold Quinlan before defending against Arthur Abraham and Avni Yildirim in the same year.
George Groves proved too big and strong though, as ‘The Saint’ took a points win in the World Boxing Super Series in 2018.
The Brighton has won six on the spin since, winning the IBO strap for a second time with a decision victory over a faded James DeGale, and he was last out in February, taking a unanimous decision win against Liam Williams, having dropped the Welshman four times.
He now meets Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) at a catchweight of 157 pounds.
The 26-year-old has been campaigning as a welterweight, and his highest fighting weight has been 148 1/4 pounds.
‘The Destroyer’ has done all that has been asked of him thus far as a pro, and has pretty much learnt on the job.
He is in a decent run of form against gatekeeper-type opposition, beginning with a ten round points win over Sebastian Formella at the end of 2020.
The Ilford native then halted Samuel Vargas inside a round, and outscored Adrian Granados before rounding off 2021 with a knockout of former world champion Chris Algieri in four.
Benn was last in action in April, stopping Chris van Heerden in two rounds.
Prediction: Eubank Jr has been seen making videos of him eating what he likes in his preparation for this, and it remains to be seen whether that is a front.
It will be interesting to see how the ten pound increase affects Benn’s punch power and ferocity, and he has also not yet been the twelve round distance, which will be a concern. The pick is for this one to be lively early, before Eubank Jr takes the sting out of the middle rounds, and takes a points win with no love lost.
Cash clashes with Coyle
The undercard sees Felix Cash (15-0, 10 KOs) make a second appearance of 2022. He was last seen in a real struggle against Magomed Madiev in February, coming off the canvas to win on points.
The 29-year-old should have a better time of things against unbeaten Irishman Connor Coyle (17-0, 7 KOs) in a ten rounder for the vacant WBA Intercontinental middleweight title.
Prediction: Cash can come through on the cards.
Remaining Undercard
2020 Olympic gold medalist, Galal Yafai (2-0, 2 KOs) is moving swiftly, and the Birmingham man can defend his WBC International flyweight title for a second time with a stoppage win over Mexico’s Gohan Rodriguez Garcia (12-1-1, 1 KO), who is yet to be stopped.
Ellie Scotney (5-0) can become the new European super bantamweight champion, with a points win over Spain’s Mary Romero (8-2, 2 KOs).
Lyndon Arthur (20-1, 14 KOs) continues his rebuild after defeat to Anthony Yarde, and the Manchester man should win early against Cesar Herman Reynoso (17-17-4, 8 KOs) in their light heavyweight contest.
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Another on the rebuild is Shannon Courtenay, after she lost her WBA world title last time out on the scales prior to a loss to Jamie Mitchell.
The 29-year-old returns here against Gemma Ruegg (5-4, 1 KOs), who has never been stopped, and that should continue here as Courtenay (7-2, 3 KOs) takes a points victory.
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Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin, Harlem Eubank (15-0, 6 KOs) can take care of Spain’s David Martin Campillo (11-3-1, 1 KO) inside their six round distance at super lightweight.
Chloe Watson (3-0) should outscore Nancy Franco (19-17-2, 5 KOs) in their six rounder at flyweight, and at welterweight, George Liddard makes his debut, which should be a four round points win against Croatia’s Hrvoje Grcic (1-4-1).
