The silence in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was deafening, a stark contrast to the electric anticipation that had filled the arena just hours before. Chris Eubank Jr. had been comprehensively defeated, a brutal dismantling at the hands of his longtime rival, Conor Benn.
Benn’s victory wasn’t merely a win; it was a masterclass in speed and precision. From the opening bell, he dictated the pace, landing stinging body shots and elusive combinations that left Eubank Jr. searching for answers he couldn’t find. The unanimous decision felt generous to Eubank Jr., with many believing Benn had won every single round.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the defeat was the presence of Eubank Jr.’s trainer, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre. A highly respected figure in boxing, known for his work with champions like Terence Crawford, McIntyre had previously guided Eubank Jr. to victory against Liam Smith. Their reunion, however, failed to spark the same magic.
Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew observed a troubling pattern throughout the fight. He claims Eubank Jr. repeatedly disregarded McIntyre’s instructions, a critical error against a fighter as sharp as Benn. The fighter seemed unwilling to heed the guidance from his corner.
“BoMac was screaming the right instructions,” Bellew explained, “telling him to use the jab, create distance. He wasn’t listening, and he paid the price.” The frustration was palpable, the sense that a winnable fight slipped away due to a stubborn refusal to adapt.
Eubank Jr. hinted at a potential trilogy fight, fueled perhaps by pride and a refusal to accept the outcome. Benn, however, has emphatically declared the rivalry finished, his sights now set on bigger challenges across the Atlantic.
Benn is already targeting a clash with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, along with other prominent American fighters like Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero, and Devin Haney. He issued a bold challenge, stating he’s ready to face any of them, “any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.”
The defeat leaves Eubank Jr. at a crossroads, forced to confront the reality of his vulnerabilities. For Benn, it’s a launchpad to potentially even greater heights, a statement victory that has firmly established him as a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division.
