Chris Eubank Sr dismisses hostility claims ahead of rematch
Chris Eubank Sr has sought to diminish talk of animosity between his son, Chris Eubank Jr, and Conor Benn, attributing the narrative to promoter Eddie Hearn rather than the fighters themselves, reports BritPanorama.
With the rematch set for Saturday, Eubank Sr refuted claims that there exists any underlying hatred from his son following their contentious first meeting in April. He asserted that Eubank Jr is primarily focused on financial gain rather than any personal vendetta.
“Let me talk about the hatred,” Eubank Sr commented. “That’s not coming from either of them. It’s coming from the promoter, Barry Hearn’s son. The hatred is in him, it’s not the boys. My son couldn’t care less. All he’s looking at is money and that’s fine. I understand that. Hatred? No. Jr isn’t built that way.”
The backdrop to this rivalry is significant; this new chapter unfolds 35 years after Eubank Sr faced Nigel Benn in a legendary boxing rivalry. Eubank Jr is poised to earn more than £20 million from the two-fight series, indicating that financial considerations may outweigh personal feelings in this contest.
Eubank Sr has also voiced concerns regarding the weight restrictions imposed on fighters, citing such measures as problematic for the athletes’ safety. Both boxers must adhere to a 10-pound overnight limit ahead of the rematch, an issue Eubank Sr firmly believes could have dangerous consequences.
“For three years I was saying this fight shouldn’t be because the weights are wrong,” he stated. “There will be consequences. Dehydration is dangerous. I’m not talking for my son because no one’s listening. I’m talking for the fighters looking at these two fighters. Watch what happens. These promoters know nothing.”
In the first bout, Eubank Jr required hospitalization due to severe dehydration after narrowly defeating Benn over 12 rounds—a fact Eubank Sr feels has been minimized amidst the eager push for a rematch.
This storyline has attracted diverse opinions. Former boxer Carl Froch attempted to alleviate concerns about the rematch by referencing the first fight as incident-free, further emphasizing the contrasting viewpoints dominating the lead-up to their next meeting.
With the rematch fast approaching, the anticipation continues to build. Millions are expected to tune in and witness the unfolding drama, highlighting the tensions of high-stakes boxing where personal and professional lines often blur. Yet, as Eubank Sr pointedly reflects, the real stakes might lie not in rivalry, but in the very rules that govern the sport they love.
