British boxing star Chris Eubank Jr has made a surprise public appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, just days after sharing a deeply concerning health update from a hospital bed that threw his career into serious doubt.
From Hospital Bed to Pit Lane
The 36-year-old fighter was pictured in the Formula 1 pit lane on Saturday, dressed in a tan Gucci jacket, black jeans, and Louis Vuitton shoes. His presence at the Yas Marina Circuit comes as a stark contrast to the clip he posted on social media platform X on Tuesday.
In that now-viral video, Eubank Jr was seen lying in a hospital bed connected to various wires and monitoring machines. Accompanying the harrowing footage, he wrote: "I’ve been dealing with a lot of health issues over the last year & yeah it all finally caught up to me last month." He delivered a sobering update on his boxing future, stating, "I will not box again until I’m back to 100% & I don’t know when that will be."
A Career in the Balance After Benn Defeat
This health scare follows closely on the heels of Eubank Jr's recent professional setback. In November, he suffered a unanimous points decision loss to his long-time rival, Conor Benn, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
This bout was a rematch of their April clash, which Eubank Jr had won decisively. The November fight told a different story, with Benn's superior jab and movement controlling the contest over 12 rounds. Following his victory, Benn suggested that Eubank Jr should consider retirement, pointing to his family life as a priority.
The back-to-back stadium fights reignited the famous family feud between the sons of British boxing legends Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, a rivalry that dates back to the 1990s.
F1 Title Decider Provides the Backdrop
Eubank Jr's appearance comes as the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its climax in Abu Dhabi. The sporting drama extends beyond the boxing ring, with McLaren's Lando Norris poised to claim his first Drivers' Championship.
Norris leads the standings with 408 points and requires only a third-place finish at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday to secure the title. However, reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull remains in contention, trailing by just 12 points. If Verstappen wins the race and Norris finishes fourth or lower, the Dutchman will clinch a remarkable fifth consecutive world championship.
While Eubank Jr's swift transition from a hospital bed to a glamorous F1 event will reassure fans about his immediate wellbeing, the bigger questions about his long-term health and boxing career remain unanswered. His commitment to only return when "100%" leaves his future in the sport firmly on hold.
