Eubank Jr vs. Benn Preview

The rivalry between Eubank and Benn is generational. Both men's fathers fought two intense battles in the 1990s, and this bad blood was passed on to their sons. Initially set to fight in 2022 before a random drug test caused Benn to be banned, the match has been rearranged for April 26th in London. Our preview provides a simple guide to what you can expect in this highly anticipated bout.

Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn

Before we get into the upcoming fight, we need to cover some history. In the 1990s, Chris Eubank Jr. and Connor Benn’s fathers fought two brutal battles. The first ended with an Eubank win by TKO in the ninth round, but the second was a draw. Despite never having another fight, both men had much animosity toward each other. They even continued their story in a 2003 reality show where they trained as gladiators. It means there’s instantly family pride riding on the fight, beyond just the chance to get a significant purse.

Tale of the Tape

Many are surprised that Chris Eubank Jr.’s next fight is against Benn, as Benn’s drug test suspension is controversial. However, the two men's hatred means that they are willing to do anything to get the fight.

Chris Eubank Jr. is 35, 5’11, and has a reach of 72.5 inches. He has a record of 37 fights and 34 wins. He regularly fights at a high level and is the current IBO middleweight champion. His typical weight class is middleweight or super middleweight.

Connor Benn is 28, 5’8, with a reach of 68 inches. He’s undefeated, with a record of 23 wins from 23 fights. However, Benn hasn’t fought top-level competition yet, so although he is undefeated, his record isn’t as impressive as Eubank’s.

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Comparing the records of the two fighters is critical. An undefeated boxer is likelier to have confidence going into the fight, even if they haven’t had a top-class opponent yet. However, the experience of fighting against elite boxers will impact a fighter's quality. So, there are two possible ways the record can affect the winner.

Height and reach will also play a part. The boxer with the longer reach will feel they have an advantage vs the fighter with shorter arms. Eubank Jr. has the longer reach in this fight, so Benn will hope his youth and aggression can get him past it.

The catchweight is the most significant aspect of this fight. Eubank Jr. is coming down in weight for the fight, meaning he’s likely to be less comfortable than Benn. This will impact both men in different ways, which will make for an interesting bout. Eubank Jr. will likely lose some power as he’s coming down from his usual weight. Benn will add weight, giving him some extra power but at the cost of speed.

Fight Prediction

It’s worth noting that Eubank Jr. is the significant favorite going into this fight. However, that doesn’t mean he is guaranteed to win. Given Eubank Jr.'s height and reach, he should be able to deter Benn with his jab. However, Benn is the more aggressive of the two men and will look to bypass the jab to throw overhand punches. As shown in the first Smith fight, Eubank can be got at with overhands, which could give Benn an opportunity.

What’s essential to consider is that this will be Benn’s first high-level test. He’s never fought anyone as well as Eubank, and doing it at a catchweight will make it more challenging for him. The longer the fight lasts, the better chance Eubank has to win. However, if Benn can get inside the jab early on and hurt Eubank, he could turn the fight in his favor.

It’s most likely that Eubank Jr. will claim the win, and he is our prediction. However, Benn is a formidable opponent, and should he establish a strong start, it would be prudent to make an in-play prediction and select him.

Undercard Fights

The fight will take place on April 26th at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the undercard is almost as impressive as the main event. One of the biggest fights will be the trilogy fight between Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur. This bout can go either way, so it will be well worth watching.

Additionally, Chris Billam-Smith will fight Brandon Glanton, and Liam Smith will face Aaron McKenna. It’s Smith’s first fight since losing a rematch against Eubank, so it will be an exciting matchup. More fights will be announced in the lead-up to the fight, but it’s shaping up to be a fantastic card.