The selling of the rivalry between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn, aside from the obvious link to their fathers having a couple of famous fights decades ago, has largely been at its most effective during the several press conferences they’ve shared. And Eubank Jnr, who has found himself in hot water after nearly all of them, is historically the one that does the heavy lifting when it comes to generating the headlines.
Whether it’s smashing eggs, throwing insults, making accusations or revealing the personal torment he has encountered in recent years, Junior’s wild unpredictability has made him the most reliable of fighters when it comes to making a boxing press conference vaguely interesting these days.
Back in the not-so-distant past, a press conference – like such events remain in other walks of life – was an event designed for the media to get answers. But in boxing, any jeopardy triggered by the posing of a tricky question is non-existent because the media, aside from a fella tasked by the promoter and broadcaster to inject only vanilla into the proceedings, are not invited to ask anything at all.
Eubank Jnr, however, can elevate the most mundane conversation within seconds. Ask him if he respects his opponent, for example, and he’ll respond with an explanation about the complexities of the scumbag nature of promoters – or, if he’s really in the mood, make allegations about those promoters blocking his ambulance. He can add sobering realism, too: Yes, the weight-making is a drag, but please don’t compare that to the death of my brother or the estrangement from my dad.
His actions are not to everyone’s tastes, but Eubank Jnr, acutely aware of the absurd circus in which he performs, is like that kid at school who would smuggle fireworks into assembly and set them off at the exact moment the headmaster was looking to assert control. And Eubank Jnr, at this late stage of his career – and much to the dismay of those who try to get him to just sit still and be quiet – is surely the most uncontrollable figure in the entire sport.
But even the naughtiest kids rein in the mischief when their fathers are present.
Sitting alongside Chris Eubank Snr, the man who returned to his side at the 11th hour before their first fight, Junior – though far from restrained – was not nearly as angry or vengeful as he has in recent years appeared.
There were revelations, of course. But these weren’t about drugs, eggs or death. One was about a man named Ivan who has been part of his security team since 2014.
“I’m not here to talk about my feelings or my emotions. I’m here to talk about things that are bothering me and I should shine a light on,” Junior began at Thursday’s conference designed to shift more tickets for Saturday’s rematch. Those who gasped need not have done so, however.
“The head of my security, who goes by the name of Ivan, has been blackballed by Eddie Hearn. He has been blocked from coming to this fight. It’s because of a released report about the ambulance I was in that was blocked. I’m putting that out there for the world to know and for something to be done about it.
“The levels of scumbaggery that we’re dealing with here are unparalleled.”
That, really, was as far as Junior went.
Senior, enjoying but not stealing the limelight, also wanted to share something. There had been suggestions that he was paid to be there at the first fight – something Nigel Benn, his old rival, had claimed during this rematch fight week. “Expose the man who told you that lie and in turn made you a liar,” Senior urged his old rival. The request was ignored.
Eubank Jnr, 35-3 (25 KOs), won that April encounter on points after 12 ferocious rounds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it was Conor Benn, rising in weight, who surprised many by making the contest so hard for his bigger and more experienced rival.
And it was the younger Benn, 23-1 (14 KOs), who tonight surprised again by appearing more at ease.
“I admired his spirit, his athleticism, his experience,” Benn said. “It took me by surprise [in April]. And he’s a better fighter than I thought he was – but I’m ready to take what’s left.
“Once you learn about Chris, you understand what he’s like. I take my hat off to him, but I don’t like him.
“I’m going to go in there and give a calculated performance. … I’m not trying to nick a win. I want to entertain, but my priority is to win.”
But compared to what’s gone down between these two in the past, this was a muted affair. Whether that was down to Senior’s presence – “I only found out this man would be sat next to me tonight two hours ago,” Junior explained – or that even the fighters, like many of us, are now finding this saga somewhat difficult to remain invested in remains to be seen.
