Chris Eubank Jr.’s Latest Comments on Conor Benn Plants the Seeds for Rematch

Just like their legendary fathers before them, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn find themselves walking a similar path, either rewriting or reliving it. Their April 26th clash at a sold-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with 65,000 fans in attendance, felt like déjà vu for British boxing. Despite being fined a hefty $500,000 for tipping the scales just 0.05 lbs over the contract weight limit, Eubank Jr. emerged victorious via unanimous decision. And with a rematch clause in place, Conor Benn, who held his own against the 35-year-old, has already begun dropping hints about running it back. But it seems Chris Eubank Jr. is still carrying his dislike for the 28-year-old.

Interestingly, Chris Eubank Sr., who had previously called his son a “disgrace” for throwing an egg at Benn during their fiery face-off, ultimately came around to support him on fight night. The win, however, came at a cost. Eubank Jr. was rushed to the hospital immediately after the bout, suffering from dehydration and requiring a 48-hour stay. Thankfully, he’s now fully recovered. Now, after skipping the post-fight press conference to prioritize his health, Eubank Jr. is finally speaking out. With the dust settled and his condition stabilized, he’s ready to weigh in on the rematch talk and what’s next in this storied rivalry.

No apology? No handshake? Chris Eubank Jr isn’t here to play nice

The latest update in the Eubank-Benn saga came courtesy of TalkSPORT, who caught up with Chris Eubank Jr. for a candid talk yesterday. In a clip shared on Instagram, captioned “@chriseubankjr still has no ‘respect’ for @conorbennofficial despite their 12 round bloodbath! ,” Eubank Jr. opened up about his refusal to shake Benn’s hand after the final bell. Unlike most fights where mutual respect is shown through a handshake or embrace, Chris Eubank Jr. dropped to his knees in celebration—and then headed straight to the hospital, skipping the usual post-fight interview entirely.

When asked why he didn’t offer the traditional show of respect, Chris Eubank Jr. didn’t hold back. “You know we also have to remember the fact that he [Conor Benn] did get caught with performance-enhancing drugs in his system,” he said. “He’s never owned up to that. He’s never apologized for that. In that sense, I will never respect him. And I can’t break bread with him,” the Hove native stated. However, for the Next Gen, the issue goes far beyond boxing.

It’s about the message that’s sent to young fans who look up to the sport. “Me, shaking his hand and [say] aaahh, congratulations on a great fight, that sends the wrong message to the kids, ‘Oh what, you can just cheat and then come back into the ring after a year or two and then everything’s okay and it’s all forgotten?’ No. It’s not forgotten,” he declared.

He added that what Benn did was “unforgivable,” and that any chance of reconciliation or mutual respect hinges on Benn coming clean about the past. “If we were ever going to forgive him, he has to come clean about it first, which he hasn’t. Until that day, me and him, we will never be okay,” he stated strongly. It’s clear Chris Eubank Jr. sees this not just as a rivalry, but as a battle over values and integrity in the sport. And while talk of a rematch continues to swirl, it appears there’s one major condition standing in the way—one that has little to do with negotiations and more about timing. So what is it?

If the people want blood, Chris Eubank Jr. will give it to them

Despite getting caught with a few big shots, Chris Eubank Jr. steadied himself in the later rounds, nullifying Benn’s offense and finishing strong to seal the win. Now, with the dust settling, plans for a sequel are already in motion. In fact, Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh has reportedly secured a date for September, back at Spurs’ home turf, for what could be the next chapter in this legacy-fueled rivalry. Now, while Eubank Jr. isn’t shying away from the idea of a rematch, he’s making it clear that it’s not entirely up to him. Why so?

20th April 2019, O2 Arena, London, England; Matchroom Boxing, Dave Allen and Derek Chisora; Undercard fight as Conor Benn after his victory against Josef Zahradnik PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxSWExNORxDENxFINxONLY ActionPlus12126203 ShaunxBrooks

You see, speaking to talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings during a PokerStars event in Monte Carlo, Chris Eubank Jr. explained, “It’s up to the public. I guess what we do as prizefighters is we fight for the people. If the people want to see something we provide, that is the job of a fighter.” From what he’s been hearing, fans are clamoring for a second bout, and he’s willing to give them what they want.

Which means, if the reports of signed contracts are accurate, Chris Eubank Jr. would again be subject to a 10-pound rehydration clause, a restriction that many felt worked against him in previous fights. Yet, with renewed momentum and a chip on his shoulder, the 35-3 fighter seems confident in his ability to go 2-0 against Benn. Still, with history on their shoulders and echoes of their fathers’ dramatic 90s rivalry—complete with an unresolved draw—it’s fair to ask: Will Chris Eubank Jr. seal the deal again, or are we in for another razor-close showdown that ends in a stalemate?

The post Chris Eubank Jr.’s Latest Comments on Conor Benn Plants the Seeds for Rematch appeared first on EssentiallySports.