Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn Industry Predictions

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn collide in a colossal all-British showdown at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night and some of the biggest names in boxing have given their thoughts on who will prevail.

After two years in the making we are just hours away from seeing one of the biggest rivalries in British boxing history being settled in front of 65,000 fight fans in London.

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn pick up the story three decades after their fathers’ bitter feud lit up the sport in the UK - a rivalry that is still fondly looked back on by fans young and old.

Come Saturday night one of these fierce rivals will leave the English capital with bragging rights and their legacy secured.

Everyone has an opinion, some more divided than others but what does the British boxing industry think?

We spoke to some of the biggest names in the trade to see who they are picking for the big fight.

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn Industry Predictions

Josh Taylor (Former undisputed super-lightweight champion)

"I think it’s a great fight, a very interesting fight. For me though, Chris Eubank Jr will win this one just on experience. I know he’s had a couple of defeats but he’s only been beaten by top level fighters. He’s had the more experience at the higher level so I’m edging towards him, but it will be a close and exciting fight."

Liam Smith (Former WBO super-welterweight champion)

"I’m not 100% sold on the winner but I’ll probably edge towards Chris Eubank Jr on points. Size-wise, Conor’s small. I think Chris might rob a points win if that makes sense. He jabs and holds a lot and I don’t think he’ll give Conor a chance."

Barry McGuigan (Former WBA featherweight champion)

"It’s just about who has the right game-plan but it’s a very even fight. I’m edging towards Conor Benn though, because he’s got that speed and explosiveness and, unlike Chris Eubank Jr, doesn’t know how to lose."

Carl Frampton (Former two-weight world champion)

"A lot of it depends on how Chris Eubank Jr makes the weight and how he looks on the scales. The 10-pound rehydration clause is going to be difficult for him. It’s hurting him now to do 160. I need to see what he looks like on the scales before I make a prediction."

Chris Billam-Smith (Former WBO cruiserweight champion)

"I think it’ll be an explosive fight but you have to favour the bigger man. Through history 95% of the time it’s the bigger man who wins, but stylistically I think Conor Benn could pull it off."

Dave Coldwell (British trainer)

"I’m quite torn. Conor Benn might be smaller but he’s definitely more explosive. He has faster hands, sharper movements. Chris Eubank Jr hasn’t got the engine he used to have. It could go either way, I genuinely don’t know."

Frazer Clarke (British heavyweight)

"It’s a very even fight but I’ve probably got Chris Eubank Jr as the favourite at the minute. He’s boxed more consistently at a good level. I think it’s his to lose. I would have love to have seen Conor Benn have another fight and then go into this."

Jamie Moore (British trainer)

"The only way Chrs Eubank Jr will lose if he’s weak at the weight. Junior is the bigger guy and if he’s strong at the weight then I feel like he should win but that’s the big question. Is he going to be strong because of the rehydration clause?"

Joe Cordina (Former IBF super-featherweight champion)

"I do believe Conor Benn comes through on Saturday night - I don’t know whether it’s my heart speaking or my head but I’ve seen what Conor can do in the gym."

Johnny Nelson (Former WBO cruiserweight champion)

"The only reason why I’d go against Conor Benn in this fight against Chris Eubank Jr is because he’s not been active enough. Chris has lost to Liam Smith and turned that around. It’s a good fight and you can see why both fighters would win."

Mark Tibbs (British trainer)

"It really is such a 50-50. The ferocity of Conor Benn could be overwhelming for Chris Eubank Jr but he’s fought better opposition. I think the weight will suit Benn more though, and therefore give him the edge."

Richie Woodhall (Former WBC super-middleweight champion)

"Chris Eubank Jr is undoubtedly the naturally bigger man and he’s probably the favourite. I think it will be tougher for Conor Benn than it will be for Eubank Jr. It’s going to be explosive but I have to side with Eubank Jr to win."