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Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn Boxing Tips & Predictions
Eubank v Benn – Just writing that gives me chills. It’s just a shame it’s the sons and not the fathers stepping into the ring.
As a young lad growing up, I was in awe of the likes of Chris Eubank Snr, Nigel Benn and Michael Watson. I remember watching their fights with my Grandad on television – boxing is a passion I inherited from him no doubt.
Eubank Snr and Nigel Benn fought twice in the nineties. Eubank Snr won the first bout in 1990 with a ninth-round stoppage to take Benn’s WBO middleweight title belt.
The second fight in 1993 ended in a draw which saw Benn retain his WBC super-middleweight belt and Eubank Snr do the same with his WBO super-middleweight strap.
Their grudge continued for years. Benn was outspoken about his hatred for Eubank Snr, and although that seems to have calmed down, old wounds will probably open up in the build-up to this fight.
This will be fought at a catchweight of 157lb, meaning Eubank will have to cut weight in order to get to the limit. It is something that could be quite dangerous, but Eubank insists it won’t be a problem, although his father has stirred the pot reportedly trying to get the fight cancelled.
It is all talk. This fight will go ahead and will attract the same amount of buzz that Amir Khan and Kell Brook did. With one small difference – these fighters are at the top of their game, not the end of their careers.
This should be a gruelling encounter. Eubank has a professional record of 34 fights, 32 wins and just two defeats. Those losses came against George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders.
Eubank has won his last five fights against James DeGale, Matt Korobov, Marcus Morrison, Wanik Awdijan and Liam Williams.
Benn is undefeated as a pro fighter. He has won all of his 21 fights with 14 of them coming by way of knockout.
He has won his last two fights by knockout against Chris Algieri and Chris van Heerden, and he will send out a massive statement if he knocks out Eubank for the first time in his career – I cannot see that happening though.
Benn is the massive underdog in this fight. Eubank claims he will only be 60% and still win. Whether that is mind games or he honestly thinks Benn has no chance, I’m not sure. I can’t wait for this fight and I think Benn will surprise a few people – including the Eubanks.
I know Eubank has the experience and he thinks he is at an elite level, but I am leaning towards Benn in this one. Both fighters have to be careful not to let their emotions get the better of them. Eubank has the tendency to throw some powerful punches and then stand back and admire them – I wonder where he gets that from?
Benn, on the other hand, will go for the kill and be relentless and that is something the judges will pick up on. I think Benn will be the busier fighter and this will allow him to get the decision after 12 rounds.
Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn Boxing Tips & Predictions: Fighter's Predictions
Chris Eubank Jr: “One of us is in for an extremely rude awakening. I don’t think it’s going to be me. This is the most important fight of my career. I don’t need to separate myself from normal life in order to train right. A lot of fighters need to go to some remote place away from their family and their wives and kids because they’re not disciplined enough to work through the distractions. That’s how I see it. They’re not mentally tough to be around the comforts of home while they’re preparing for war. I can prepare for war on a beach. It doesn’t matter. Give me a ring and some gloves. My father is with me as a business adviser now. His advice was to wait another year. I wasn’t willing to risk that. We’ve both got a hell of a lot on the line. I have a lot more pressure and risk. I can’t lose this fight. If I lose, I retire. That’s a huge weight on my shoulders. I can’t come back from a loss. I’ve been through too much in this sport to let a young pup come up and take what’s mine, and what’s mine is victory.”
Conor Benn: “I’m all about risks. Risks give me goosebumps. Risks make life exciting. By the end of my career, I’ve taken every risk there. Me and my dad are on a mission. I work on my strengths and what I can do. I don’t worry about what he can do. I worry about what I can do.”