LONDON – Even if Conor Benn wins the world title, it may not be as satisfying and career-defining as his revenge on fierce rival Chris Eubank Jr. in Saturday’s dominant unanimous points victory.
Revenge was sweet for Benn (24-1, 14 KO), who stopped Eubank (35-4, 25 KO) twice in the final round to seal the victory with unanimous scores of 119-107, 116-110 and 118-108 in the non-title middleweight fight.
Benn, 29, took advantage of Eubank’s ponderous and penniless performance to avenge his unanimous points defeat to Eubank Jr. seven months ago, after their fathers fought each other twice in epic world title fights in the 1990s.
Eubank, 36, from Brighton, lacked the energy, variety of punches and explosiveness of their first fight.
Benn’s dominance meant the competition lacked drama during the final fight until the brilliant finish. Benn first knocked Eubank down with a jab, then unleashed a series of punches before a right knocked the rocky Eubank down again. Eubank defeated the count, but he knew the fight was lost.
Benn, from Ilford, Essex, followed the sluggish Eubank around the ring and landed the biggest blows on him. Some in the 60,000-plus crowd even mocked the lack of action in Round 10, but Benn then delivered two stunning knockdowns that sent the stadium into a frenzy in Round 12.
Benn celebrated loudly in the ring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after achieving what his father, two-time world heavyweight champion Nigel, could not – defeating Eubank – in the latest episode of the fierce rivalry between the two English boxing families.
Benn’s biggest win of his career made it 2-1-1 between the families, following Chris Eubank’s Round 9 victory over Nigel in 1990 and a controversial points draw in 1993.
Their fathers never had a third fight, and Benn later said he was not interested in a third fight, with the current score at 1-1.
“It’s been a journey, it feels like the end of the Benn-Eubank saga, it’s over, it’s over,” Benn said.
“People said I can’t box, put it in a pipe and smoke it.
Benn will also consider the possibility of winning the junior middleweight and welterweight world titles after moving up from welterweight to face Eubank Jr. earlier this year.
Welterweight champions Lewis Crocker (IBF) and Mario Barrios (WBC) are a robust option for Benn in his next fight, rather than a trilogy fight with Eubank.
Benn added: “I’m down for Barrios for the WBC world title, Ryan Garcia, Roland Romero, Devin Haney, all the Yankees can get it. Any day of the week and twice on Sundays.”
A fourth career loss for Eubank, who won the first fight by scores of 116-112 on all three scorecards, is a gigantic blow to his hopes of a lucrative fight against the likes of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, but based on this performance, facing the Mexican would be a bad next move for Eubank.
“I’ve been through hell to get to this night, that’s what it is,” Eubank said. “I gave it my all, the kid fought challenging, he has power. We put on a show, Benn was better today.
“It’s 1-1, I need to go away and deal with some of the things I’ve been struggling with over the last few months. Who knows, maybe we’ll see something modern with me and him, maybe not. Now it’s his night.”
A fourth career loss for Eubank, who won the first fight by scores of 116-112 on all three scorecards, is a gigantic blow to his hopes of a lucrative fight against the likes of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, but based on this performance, facing the Mexican would be a bad next move for Eubank.
After being brought into the ring by superstar rapper 50 Cent, Eubank remained restrained throughout the fight.
Both were positive at the start of the second round, with Eubank probably landing his best punch, a right hand, in round one. Benn landed some good hooks early in the second before both were cautioned for wrestling.
Benn did a better job in round 2 and was still ahead of Eubank in round 3. Eubank, with Benn the aggressor, looked to catch him on a counterattack, but looked back after four rounds.
In Round 4, Benn landed challenging right hands, but Eubank was unable to respond, increasing his tempo and work rate in Round 5.
After a ponderous first half of the fight, Eubank continued to box at one pace and paid for it behind schedule in the seventh period when he was nailed with a gigantic right hand.
Benn also hit Eubank with a good right hand in the ninth over before sending him down twice in a thunderous final over.
Benn first sent Eubank, who stumbled from a straight left, to the jaw for a count, then unleashed a furious attack to send a final right hand sending a wobbly Eubank to the canvas. Eubank lived to hear the bell but knew he had lost.
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