Ongoing healing for Chris Eubank Jr and his father
Chris Eubank Jr has revealed that mending his fractured relationship with his father remains an ongoing process, despite their public reunion before April’s victory over Conor Benn, reports BritPanorama.
The 36-year-old boxer acknowledged that significant progress has been made since ending their four-year estrangement but emphasised that complete reconciliation has yet to be achieved.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s rematch with Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Eubank Jr disclosed that he recently celebrated his birthday with his father for the first time in six years. This occasion included meaningful discussions about their relationship, marking another step toward healing their familial bond.
“It’s not been easy,” Eubank Jr told Mail Online. “It’s not an overnight thing.” The dramatic reconciliation occurred when Eubank Sr unexpectedly appeared at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium moments before his son’s bout with Benn in April, providing crucial emotional support during the hard-fought twelve-round victory.
However, Eubank Jr cautioned against assumptions that their relationship has fully healed. “People might think: ‘Well, he came to the fight and now they’re all lovey again.’ No, it’s not that,” he said, highlighting the ongoing challenges they face.
The middleweight contender described their relationship as still requiring significant repair work. “There are still holes and cracks that need to be filled in our relationship as father and son,” he told DAZN, expressing confidence about eventual restoration.
Eubank Jr reflected on the significance of family bonds, saying: “What’s more important than family? The watch, the car, the clothes, the fame? The fighting? The boxing?” He emphasised that material success pales beside genuine happiness with loved ones.
Despite their improving personal connection, Eubank Jr maintains clear professional boundaries with his father. “We’ve not spoken too much about the tactics,” he said, confirming that Eubank Sr remains uninvolved in his training preparations for the rematch. “That’s what I’ve wanted for many years, to separate the sport from the father-and-son relationship,” he explained.
While the road ahead remains uncertain, the evolving dynamics between Chris Eubank Jr and his father offer a compelling insight into the complexities of familial ties amid the pressures of professional sport. With emotions running high, the story serves as a reminder that even in the boxing world, the lines between personal relationships and professional ambitions can often blur.
