Chris Eubank Jr. Beats Conor Benn in an Unforgettable War

Chris Eubank Jr. Beats Conor Benn in an Unforgettable War

It’s extremely difficult to forget the darkness that came before, but Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn did exactly that on Saturday night.

Eubank and Benn bared their souls in a truly epic fight. It might not have matched what their fathers served up in 1990. But it came incredibly close.

In different ways, both fighters showed something we didn’t think they had. Eubank showed he still had enough in the tank to go deep into his well. Benn showed that he is a much better fighter than many thought he was. He didn’t win the fight. But maybe he won a bigger battle.

Eubank got a unanimous decision after twelve beyond savage rounds. All three judges scored it the same way, 116-112 across the board. I had it slightly closer, giving it to Eubank by two rounds. He found something in the last two rounds that very few fighters can find. Fighting exhaustion, Eubank somehow dug deep enough to pull the fight out when it seemed to be turning against him. Those final six sensational minutes sealed his victory. When the legs had stopped working, the heart took over.

The fight exceeded all expectations. It had no right to be that good. Over 60,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium witnessed something special. A remarkable fight that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. It might have been built on nostalgia. But it deserves to be respected in its own right. Their fathers were reunited. But now the two sons have forged their own slice of history.

Benn started fast and put plenty into those opening few rounds. A left hook in the 3rd round got a reaction from the ageing Eubank legs. But he was swinging heavy and missing far too much. Eubank was seemingly waiting for the storm to subside. But it never really did. At least not fully.

But Eubank had found his rhythm, and he did seem in control midway through the 8th, but Benn roared back to life later in the round, and Eubank, who had his first look at the clock, looked as though he was fading fast. But this back-and-forth war had another tale or two to tell.

I had it level heading into the final six minutes, but it was the older, supposedly weight-drained fighter who had more to give. It was a fight that had many round of the year contenders. The 8th was exceptional. The 12th and final round was even better. Benn was badly hurt, and even as the fight was drawing to a close, Eubank looked as though he could stop his heated rival. But Benn bravely survived and never stopped firing back. He deserved to see the final bell.

Both need a long rest after giving so much. At 35, I would like to see Eubank walk away. The body can only take so much. A famous win with his father again by his side would be the perfect end to his career.

At just 28, Benn can come again. Probably at welterweight. Despite the devastating defeat, he proved his point.

I couldn’t get invested in the fight prior. Everything around it just left a sour taste. But inside the ring, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn changed all that. I doubt I will see a better fight all year. It might have lacked for finesse at times. But it most certainly didn’t lack for excitement or drama.

Sometimes, you just have to strip away all the outside noise and just appreciate and marvel at what these incredible warriors give for us. When boxing is so hard to justify at times, sometimes you need nights like this. I didn’t think boxing needed this fight. I think differently now.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing