Skip to content
GO TO bet365 Sports
Eubank Jr v Benn
  1. Boxing
  2. Matchroom

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn: A family trilogy decades in the making

Over three decades on from from Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn's two epic fights, their fighting sons are finally set to continue the long-standing family-feud in London, in April, 2025.

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn

Fight Markets & Bet Boosts

It can be years before a Hollywood blockbuster hits the big screen.

The story, the cast, the production; everything needs to be delivered to ensure a healthy return at the Box Office, leaving the possibility for a second and third return.

There are stark similarities between movie making and boxing. Big fights are speculated and discussed for months, sometimes even years before a deal can be struck, and regardless of its expiry date we will all be watching somewhere.

The long-mooted domestic showdown between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn was officially announced on Wednesday by the sport’s current most powerful string-puller, Turki Alalshikh.

From His Excellency's post on social media platform X, to images shared on Conor Benn and Eddie Hearn’s Instagram pages, it seems that after two years of on and off discussions, we could be just a matter of months away from the latest instalment of these two great boxing family names.

But why has a fight involving two men, who are two weight divisions apart and yet to win a legitimate world title, taken so long to get over the line, and what makes Eubank Jr v Benn such an appealing prospect to the British sporting public?

We take a look...

The history behind two great sporting names

What's the history behind Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn's fathers?

To understand the full extent of the Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn rivalry, we need to take a step back in time to a period of British boxing where the biggest fights were on free-to-air television, and blockbuster stars were coming through the ranks thick and fast.

Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn became household names in their own right, and whilst they would never admit it, the truth is they needed one another. Their compelling rivalry helped turn them into major sporting attractions.

Benn was a disciplined individual with a military background who didn’t suffer fools and wore his heart on his sleeve.

Eubank was eccentric, a man who needed the razzamatazz and showboating to compensate for the lack of tough tests which Benn had long thrived off, having been pushed to his limits by the likes of Michael Watson, Sanderline Williams and Doug DeWitt.

After lengthy and difficult negotiations, a tense televised contract signing and a press conference where the two almost came to blows, the public were wrapped up in a boxing rivalry that was as real as it could get.

The two middleweights finally met in front of 12,000 fans at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on 18th November, 1990.

Benn put his WBO world title on the line but it was inconsequential because truth be told, the fight was about far more than just a belt or the hefty cheques the pair were getting.

It proved a savage affair between two bitter rivals, which brought everyone to the edge of their seats.

On the night Eubank emerged as a serious fighter and proved himself to be tough as nails. His opponent stalked his nemesis and threw everything he could in typical Benn-like fashion.

In round four, Eubank’s mettle was tested when Benn landed an uppercut which caused him to bite his tongue, leaving a nasty wound and forcing the fighter to either spit out or swallow his own blood.

Five sessions later, Eubank staggered Benn with a left hook - the champion had to retreat, being pulverised from pillar to post, and before long referee Richard Steele stepped in to wave the fight off.

Sequels are notoriously less entertaining than the first though, and Eubank-Benn 2 proved to be no different.

Promoted by Don King and titled ‘Judgement Day’, the rematch arrived three years later outdoors at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.

This time they fought at super-middleweight, a weight-class higher than the first showdown, with each holding a world title.

They subsequently slugged it out in front of 42,000 fans and over 16 million people tuned in on ITV.

Second time around however, the two were far more familiar with each other, and fully understood the strengths that each posed.

As a consequence, risk-taking was far less, but still, it was a captivating sight - albeit one that didn't quite match the ferocity and intensity of their first battle.

Still, the public were hooked, although left hugely disappointed when the rematch was declared a draw.

It was a result that drew criticism at the time, but it's one that has helped tee things up perfectly for each of their sons, Chris Jr and Conor, to follow-up on some three decades later.

The making of Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn

Were Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meant to fight before?

It was in February 2022, when the possibility of a showdown between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn first gained genuine traction.

From being a fun debate to a serious idea, Benn declared he would have no problem moving from 147lbs to 160lbs to tackle Eubank Jr.

For a little while, Eubank Jr questioned what he would gain from the fight... millions of pounds would suffice, however.

Both men had no joy tempting Kell Brook out of retirement and before long the wheels were in motion for the two fighting sons to emerge from their fathers shadows and continue the famous rivalry against one another.

In August 2022, the grudge match was made official for Saturday 8th at London’s O2 Arena.

The second-generation bout would have no title on the line and fought at a catchweight of 156lbs.

Benn described it as a fight for “legacy” while Eubank Jr predicted it would “spark the imagination of the British public”.

A sold-out venue and a potentially money spinning pay-per-view was all set, but on the Wednesday of fight week news broke that Benn had tested positive for a banned substance.

Boxing is used to rocky moments, but this truly shook the sport to its very foundations.

Benn pleaded his innocence and over the next two years a long running saga would play out on social media and in the sporting press.

Eubank Jr was still keen on resurrecting the fight, but vowed there could be no repeat of the disaster which left another stain on the sport.

In November 2024, Benn’s suspension was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Association (NADP) and he was subsequently cleared to fight in the UK with UKAD choosing not to appeal the decision.

This week, Turki Alalshikh - a man people knew little about in 2022 - has brought all parties together to secure each of the fighters' signatures for a bout which, truth be told, is even bigger now than it was two years ago.

The trash talk has never evaporated, temperatures have risen considerably and the rivalry has reached new levels of animosity and disdain.

Now we await the the finer details which will tell us exactly where, when and at what weight Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will finally be getting it on at!

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn

Fight Markets & Bet Boosts

Related Articles

bet365 uses cookies

We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy

New to bet365? Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets Join Now

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.