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Conor Benn made a firm promise to the boxing community earlier this week, vowing that the upcoming rematch with Chris Eubank Jr would unfold differently from their previous encounter. Leading up to Saturday’s fight, Benn emphasized his ability to control his emotions, a significant claim given his well-known fiery temperament both inside and outside the ring. Ultimately, Benn delivered on his word by knocking Eubank down twice en route to a strategic and dominant victory, effectively silencing his critics.
Reflecting on his journey, Benn acknowledged the challenges he faced following his first professional defeat. “It’s been hard facing my first loss and coming back from adversity,” he admitted. He spoke candidly about his struggles with mental focus during their initial bout in April, stating, “When I said I beat myself that night, I meant it. My head wasn’t in the right place.” Overcoming this latest hurdle is just one in a series of difficult moments Benn has endured throughout his career. From being labeled as troubled during his youth to enduring a two-year ban related to doping allegations, and finally handling the pressure of fighting the son of a long-time family rival, Benn has consistently fought his way back from the edge.
Saturday’s bout was marketed as “unfinished business,” though the tension surrounding their first fight’s outcome never quite felt significant. The rivalry between their fathers, which culminated in a contentious draw in 1993, cast a long shadow over this latest chapter. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Nigel Benn, Conor’s father, revealed lingering animosity towards Eubank Sr., saying, “He just loves the limelight, he doesn’t care about his son,” and added, “I don’t think I’ll ever speak to him again. He tries to quote scripture but he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” While Nigel’s emotions ran high, Conor’s light laughter suggested he might one day be recounting similar stories involving this new generation of fighters. Nigel also revealed that this was his final training camp, intending to focus on his family moving forward.
Though the sons’ fight was never anticipated due to differences in age and weight class, the public’s eagerness to see the Benn and Eubank legacies collide once again was undeniable. The two elder boxers couldn’t be more different in personality—Eubank Sr is a flamboyant showman, often stealing attention with his theatrical flair, while Nigel Benn remains straightforward and focused. After the fight, Nigel appeared in a Team Benn tracksuit alongside Conor, supported by an entourage of family and coaches. Conor took the moment to thank those who stood by him during difficult periods, including when he was banned from boxing after testing positive for a prohibited substance. “There were a lot of people in the changing room that were there for me in those dark times,” he said. “I wasn’t strong enough to do it alone and they gave wisdom and helped carry me. The win is for them.”
With this victory, Conor Benn has accomplished something his father never could and is setting his sights even higher. Inspired by Nigel’s own achievements, Conor dreams of capturing the WBC world title, a belt that holds great significance to him and which he keeps displayed at his gym for motivation. “Winning the WBC title is heavy on my mind,” he shared. “It’s the title my dad won and is my dream. I’m up on him with Eubank-Benn rivalry and now want that title.” Despite doubts over his potential early in his career—promoter Eddie Hearn once described Benn as a “mess”—Conor has clearly developed into a serious contender. Hearn is now looking to push Benn toward a world title fight, with the possibility of a British showdown on the cards. Jamie Conlan, manager of IBF champion Lewis Crocker, has indicated Crocker would be willing to face Benn if he continues to win, signaling promising opportunities ahead for Benn as he forges his own path
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