Ahead of his highly-anticipated rematch with Conor Benn this Saturday, Chris Eubank Jr has spoken candidly about the physical and mental toll of their first encounter, the lingering controversy surrounding his opponent, and his hardened philosophy towards the boxing world.
The Physical Toll and Weight-Cut Barbarism
Four days out from the sequel at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Eubank Jr appeared almost unrecognisable from the skeletal figure who made weight in April, or the swollen, hospitalised man he became after their blood-spattered thriller. Sitting in Canary Wharf's Pelligon building, his eyes were only slightly sunken, the shape of his skull subtly pronounced.
'The barbaric side of the weight-cut comes 24-36 hours before the weigh-in,' he revealed to a circle of publications, including The Independent. 'That's when the pain kicks in.' He suggested that more pain is inevitable if the rematch on Saturday 15 November 2025 mirrors their first brutal clash.
No Bad Blood Bridge to be Built
Despite their instant classic fight in April, which Eubank Jr won on points, any notion of mutual respect is one-sided. While Benn was readier to acknowledge his admiration, Eubank Jr remains steadfast in his criticism, largely due to Benn's two-year drug-test saga.
On the eve of their originally scheduled bout in October 2022, it was revealed Benn had returned two adverse drug-test results for the banned substance clomifene. Benn, who has always proclaimed his innocence, was unable to box in the UK again until November 2024. According to his father, Nigel Benn, he spent almost £1m trying to prove that innocence.
'He didn't give up, that's the only thing that shocked me,' Eubank Jr admitted. 'Men like that usually come with certain characteristics; when the going gets tough, they look to quit, because they don't believe in themselves. I thought his mindset was weak... But to my shock and surprise, he didn't.'
A Sport of 'Savages' and Betrayal
When questioned about the possibility of post-fight niceties, Eubank Jr responded with a laugh, 'What's up with you guys and niceties? This is the fight game... People are trying to strip you of your health.'
He elaborated on his deep-seated mistrust within the sport, born from personal experience. 'Any time I've ever been nice with people in this sport... I've seen it happen so many times, where you get stabbed in the back, or you get used, or you get betrayed.'
He stated that this reality doesn't sadden him, but rather reinforces his understanding of boxing as a 'bloodsport' where one must be 'prepared to deal with men with the mentality of savages.' Despite this, Eubank Jr prides himself on maintaining his own morals. 'Not taking drugs, not quitting in the ring, not taking days off in the gym. But fighters like that are rare.'
As he and Benn once again emulate their fathers' famous rematch from thirty years prior, Eubank Jr insists there will be no third-generation showdown. For now, his focus is solely on the rare and brutal rivalry at hand, expecting another punishing encounter this weekend.
