Boxing

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 2: Insiders answer key questions, make predictions

Published

12 months ago

November 15, 2025

It was so good the first time they just had to do it again.

Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will face each other again on November 15 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the long-awaited rematch. Eubank Jr. won in April, defeating Benn on points in a thrilling, emotional fight. Much was said and done in the run-up to the first fight – but this time it was much calmer.

But we can’t expect it to stay that way when the players touch the gloves again, and by the way, there’s just too much pride. There is, as the fight was marked, too much unfinished business.

Boxing insiders from ESPN UK will be on hand this Saturday to discuss the keys to the sequel and make predictions.

So we’re back again. The first fight was pure money, pure adrenaline for both fighters. Can we expect a similar or maybe different fight here?

James Regan: There is no indication that this fight will be anything other than another brawl. If anything, even more so. Eubank will look to impose his size and box smartly, as he did in the first fight, while Benn spoke of fighting with “lesser emotions.” But when the bell rings, it might fall out the window.

Nick Parkinson: This time, expect a fierce fight, whether it ends in stoppages or points. Eubank deservedly won by four rounds on all three scorecards in their previous meeting and Benn must adapt if he is to avoid another repeat of being confined by Eubank’s experience and ability. Benn will bring the same desire and ferocity he showed in the first fight, but his strategy needs to be nicer this time. Seven months ago, he convincingly won Round 3. It was the only round he won on all three official scorecards, and on Saturday his team will be looking at how to replicate that more consistently.

If Benn manages to maintain the pressure, he will prevent Eubank from getting into massive shots and landing classic combinations. If he gets closer to the second half of the fight, or if Benn feels like he’s falling behind, we could see him take more risks this time, which will likely lead to knockdowns that we didn’t have in April.

You see some keys to this fight. Where do you think it will be won and lost?

Regan: Judging by the aftermath of the last fight, Benn should look as physical as possible against Eubank. If he’s underweight and dehydrated, how can Benn tire him out? This is where skillful emotional management and smarter boxing count. Eubank knows Benn will attack again (even if it’s subdued, but that’s his style), so it’s about using his experience and boxing IQ to avoid as much damage as possible.

Parkinson’s: Benn’s stamina and movement will be key if he can outwork Eubank and gain a points advantage in the first half of the fight. Benn needs to show more intensity and throw more punches to worry Eubank. It will support Benn’s case if Eubank struggles to keep his weight off and arrives on the field exhausted.

Eubank claimed this was a problem seven months ago, leaving him in hospital after battling dehydration. If the 160-pound limit becomes challenging for the 36-year-old again, his strength will wane in the later rounds, allowing Benn to test his way to the top with cardio. However, Eubank is technically and tactically superior, and this, along with his size advantage, gives him an advantage. Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, coach of ESPN star Terence Crawford, is backing Eubank this time around and his tactical tips could prove crucial if Benn’s pace carries him through most of the first rounds.

Benn lost last time, so the pressure is on him. What changes should he make after the first fight?

Regan: He can’t rush into round one and try to keep it up, especially if he’s behind the number of shots he took last time. At first he was looking for a sturdy right hand and lost control. He is entering his best years as an athlete and if he maintains his speed but is more correct, attacks the body much more often and makes Eubank think he should perform better.

Parkinson’s: He has to be better in the first rounds, otherwise he will face defeat again. Eubank may start slowly and was stopped in the fourth round by Liam Smith in January 2023, so if Benn gains an early advantage it will put pressure on his English rival. But Benn failed to do so last time, losing five of the first seven rounds. According to CompuBox statistics, Benn needs to boost his punching power after Eubank landed between 367 and 215 punches last time. If Benn can maintain his high pace and disciplined attack, he will limit the number of punches Eubank lands. Benn is good at explosive counterattacks, which can force a valuable takedown.

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The rehydration clause is controversial and even fearful. Are you surprised that he will appear in this fight?

Regan: NO. It was written in the contract. Everyone knew what they were signing up for and Eubank never asked, at least to Matchroom’s knowledge, for it to be changed. Is it perfect? NO. Is it unsafe? Potentially. But everyone knows the rules, and just as Benn doesn’t want to add any more weight, Eubank is too proud to ask for an easier way out.

Parkinson’s: There has to be a limit to how much weight you can gain between Friday’s weigh-in and fight night, because Benn has already bravely crossed two weight classes to face Eubank. Neither boxer is allowed to gain more than 10 pounds between Friday’s weigh-in and Saturday morning, which is reasonable to prevent a huge weight difference between rivals on fight night, as this would not only be unfavorable but also potentially unsafe to Benn.

You also hope that Eubank is not putting himself at risk by agreeing to the rehydration clause. However, if Eubank seriously thought that he would not be able to make the middleweight limit more comfortable this time, he would not have agreed to the rematch and the associated hydration clause. Eubank, who has fought at middleweight or super middleweight throughout his career, claims that this time he has become accustomed to gaining weight and will not pay another fine (he paid £350,000 after being 0.05 pounds overweight in his first fight, but was on weight on fight day).

This confidence suggests that he miscalculated the weight of the cut last time, and it wasn’t an insurmountable task. Given his experience of being admitted to hospital with dehydration after their last fight, it would be a surprise and decisive moment for the outcome of the rematch if Eubank missed weight again.

Finally, present your predictions. Who wins and how?

Regan: I think it will be closer, but Eubank’s experience should shine again. Don’t underestimate Brian McIntyre’s influence either. “BoMac” will give Eubank some tips and tricks that will change the situation. Expect Benn to be more successful, but Eubank to be back on the points.

Parkinson’s: Logic dictates that the bigger Eubank – especially after his disciplined control over Benn in the first fight, which I felt he deservedly won by four rounds – will win again. But this time Benn will be better, and Eubank may have to survive the crisis to triumph. Likewise, Benn can stay open if he feels like he needs to chase a behind schedule KO. If Eubank gains weight without losing weight, he will win on points or by stoppage at the end.

Boxing

Devin Haney Confident Ahead of Dec. 19 Title Unification Battle with Liam Paro

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Devin Haney Confident Ahead of Dec. 19 Title Unification Battle with Liam Paro"

A formal press release was issued today announcing the December 19 welterweight title unification between Devin Haney and Liam Paro at San Francisco’s Chase Center, and in anticipation of the meeting with a co-feature of Brian Norman vs Abel RamosHaney shared his excitement for what he expects to be another successful outing to snag some more hardware.

“My resume speaks for itself,” Haney said. “I’ve never been afraid to go into a champion’s backyard and put my record on the line. I went to Australia, took George Kambosos’ belts, and became undisputed lightweight champion of the world. Now I’m bringing another Australian world champion, Liam Paro, into my backyard. This time, I plan to take his belt and become a unified welterweight world champion right here at home.
“Oakland is where my story started, and the Bay Area has always been part of who I am. The Valkyries just brought a championship to Chase Center, and on December 19, I plan to keep that championship energy going.

“I made history in Australia. Now it’s time to make history at home.”

Paro, however hopes to upset the odds, knowing he’ll be coming into this fight as a decided underdog.

“Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis,” Paro said. “I said back then that Haney versus Paro rolls off the tongue. Now it’s here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard.

“I’ve never taken the easy road. I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people. Devin’s a great fighter and I respect that. But I’ve been the underdog plenty of times and I’ve made history before. December 19, I’m coming to unify the division and make more history.”

With the WBO and IBF welterweight world titles on the line, one fight will be heading into the new year halfway to undisputed.

Boxing

Liam Paro Set to Face Devin Haney at Chase Center for Title Showdown

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Liam Paro Set to Face Devin Haney at Chase Center for Title Showdown"

Liam Paro served as supporting cast the last time Devin Haney headlined at Chase Center. Come December 19, he walks into San Francisco carrying the IBF welterweight title, gunning to strip Haney of his WBO strap.

Three years transformed Paro from an undercard face into a headline attraction. He watched Haney shut out Regis Prograis from the locker room in December 2023. Now he commands the marquee, even if getting US fight fans to open their wallets on pay-per-view presents an uphill battle.

“Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis. I said back then that Haney versus Paro rolls off the tongue. Now it is here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard. I have never taken the easy road. I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people,” Paro stated.

The Australian proved his mettle by snatching the 140-pound crown from Subriel Matias on hostile soil. Richardson Hitchins took it right back six months later, checking Paro’s momentum before mainstream crowds took notice.

The jump to 147 pounds provided the reboot he needed. Three straight wins, capped by a gritty points victory over Lewis Crocker to claim the IBF strap, set the stage for this encounter.

Haney ends a lengthy layoff on home turf. Sitting out more than twelve months makes asking fans to purchase a DAZN PPV against a fighter unknown to mainstream viewers a tough sell. Belts by themselves rarely move the needle at the box office.

Brian Norman Jr. takes on Abel Ramos in the ten-round co-feature. Norman dropped his WBO belt to Haney last November and must now accept undercard placement on his conqueror’s bill.

Paro earned his position the hard way. December 19 decides if his punch output can upset the hometown favorite or if Haney cruises behind his jab.

Boxing

Tyson Fury Dismantles Wilders Career: A Turning Point in Their Ongoing Rivalry

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Tyson Fury Dismantles Wilder's Career: A Turning Point in Their Ongoing Rivalry"

Tyson Fury sees little point in Deontay Wilder stepping inside a ring again, an inconvenient stance given Wilder’s spot on his upcoming December 11 card. Labeling the former champion “shot to bits” severely undercuts Jai Opetaia’s heavyweight entrance, turning a marquee pairing into an exercise in past glory.

Wilder meets the undefeated cruiserweight ruler at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, supporting the Netflix headliner between Fury and Anthony Joshua. Opetaia carries a spotless 31-0 record into the division. Wilder enters at 45-4-1. While the American’s presence guarantees instant marquee value, Fury openly questions if any real substance remains.

“Silly for Deontay’s part,” Fury remarked to FightHype regarding the bout. “He shouldn’t be nowhere near a ring. It’s a dying shame that this man has to continue to fight when he’s shot to bits.”

Fury argued Wilder should have walked away after their brutal 2021 trilogy finale. He referenced Wilder’s narrow split decision over Derek Chisora in April to illustrate the decline, pointing out that Chisora walked through shots that once ended nights instantly.

This goes well beyond standard fight banter or favoring the younger fighter. Fury insists any ring appearance by Wilder is a mistake, no matter the rival. Sharing thirty rounds across three savage encounters gives his assessment real credibility, even with his typical theatrical flair taken into account.

That leaves promoters with an awkward narrative. Wilder’s box office appeal relies entirely on the sudden violence of his equalizer. If the card’s headline attraction claims that thunder is gone, fans are paying for nostalgia rather than prime danger.

Opetaia faces a distinct reputational limit because of it. A dominant performance adds a legendary heavyweight scalp to his ledger, yet it will not convince skeptics he can challenge the division elite. Fury provided the counterargument months in advance: the opponent should have stepped away long ago.

The move up remains hazardous for the Australian. Stepping up in weight brings obvious physical disadvantages, and assuming Wilder is completely toothless would be reckless. Opetaia must rely on sharp footwork, making the veteran chase shadows instead of giving him a stationary target.

Diminished skills can still pack enough punch to alter someone venturing north of 200 pounds. Even so, this version barely resembles the wrecking ball who defended the WBC belt ten times.

Fury tore through the promotional sheen around this contest. Opetaia gets his crack at the famous Bronze Bomber name, but the card’s top star insists the man in Cardiff belongs in the crowd, not under the lights.

What’s interesting is how Fury is eager to declare Wilder finished, yet plenty of fans see his main event with Joshua as two faded names cashing in before the wheels fall off completely.

If Joshua catches him and puts him away early, the reaction will be merciless. The narrative will immediately flip to Fury being a shell of the giant who outboxed Wladimir Klitschko or battered Wilder in their rematch.

When a fighter spends years taking heavy punishment, blowing up between camps, and showing diminished punch resistance, the drop-off rarely happens gradually. It comes all at once.

Ever since the Francis Ngannou knockdown, Fury’s aura of invincibility has vanished. He was hurt badly and dropped by Oleksandr Usyk, and even in his recent bouts against big punchers like Arslanbek Makhmudov, he showed far less mobility and far more vulnerability to clean shots. His legs do not bail him out of trouble the way they used to.

Joshua rebuilt his career against lower-tier opposition, Kristian Prenga, and a crossover fight with Jake Paul, but the memory of being taken apart by Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk, and flattened by Andy Ruiz Jr. never truly disappeared. He remains cautious, mechanical, and prone to freezing.

If Joshua lands the clean right hand and flattens him, Fury will not have any room to complain about the commentary that follows. You cannot publicly brand your former rival a walking corpse on your undercard, then expect sympathy when the boxing public decides Father Time caught up to you on the very same night.