Eubank Benn - a rivalry renewed

It was a rivalry built on pride, disdain and ultimately hatred. A rivalry with foundations that have stood the test of time. Now, 30 years on, this family feud ignites once more for a British boxing blockbuster.

It has been 10,951 days since a Benn and a Eubank last stepped in the squared circle. Since that night Britain has seen 673 chart number ones, 206 England internationals, seven Prime Ministers and yet still… no parliamentary procedure.

In more recent times, we have seen the rise to fame of two fighters who both had to walk the path already trodden by their iconic fathers.

That might be the only similarity between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr, who in a turn of events that many saw as nothing but a fantasy, find themselves under a week out from completing a trilogy in which they are yet to throw a punch.

As boxing fans, it still feels slightly weird that we are here. It was only six years ago that their fathers were reportedly close to finishing off this trilogy themselves. Nigel Benn intent on a ring return that thankfully now serves as a distant memory.

The verbal warfare, however, has never died. Granted it may not have the edge it had three decades ago, but it still holds the bad feeling from that era.

So as products of their environment, both sons have taken the baton and will now set into battle riding the bad blood that made their fathers so notable.

Of course, they have their own stories.

Conor flew into the pros as a rash teenager who swung for the hills. It wasn’t long before his puncher reputation had fans craving the mere thought of a Benn second coming. A poor performance against Cedric Peynaud bought him back to reality, and some hard self-taught lessons had him ready for a new chapter. He put right his wrong in a rematch with the Frenchman, before blitzing his way into the WBA rankings with six stoppages in eight wins.

For Jr, an amateur career Stateside preceded his professional beginnings. After an active three years, an 18-fight unbeaten streak was put to the test in a grudge match with Billy Joe Saunders, where a split decision loss saw him miss out on a maiden title. An interim world title was won on his return, before a venture into the inaugural World Boxing Super Series. Defeat number two followed, but six wins, including ones over James DeGale and Liam Williams, have beefed up what was otherwise a light resume.

Now, both men take their biggest fight, as titles and rankings are disregarded for a monumental clash in our capital.

To enable chapter number three, we have a 157lb catchweight. For Jr, this means hitting the scales at a career lightest. Failure to do so, and a £100,000 fine per pound, will do little to lighten the mood.

For Conor it’s role reversal, as a career heaviest by nine pounds is where he will hope to lie come weigh-in day.

It is of no surprise with all this that the weight has been one of the main talking points. If anything, this Friday’s weigh-in could throw up just as much drama as the fight.

Conor himself has never hidden the fact he lives and breathes the gym. This camp has been no different. He sits on his statement that this weight will see a healthier and more powerful version of himself.

Jr on the other hand has glided through camp with his animosity masked by a pretence that he is largely unbothered.

It has been an excellent sales tactic. Buckets of chicken, steakhouse dinners and birthday cake make up the camera diet of a “60%” Chris Eubank Jr. Yet as blindsided as us boxing fans can be, even we aren’t falling for this one.

Come the first bell Saturday, both men will be ready to fire on all cylinders.

As for Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr, they both have a legacy untouchable in British sport.

And that is regardless of Saturday night.

We always knew both men would have more than their part to play in this build up, so to see an AWOL Eubank Sr has been unusual if not unfamiliar. For years front and centre of his son’s career, it would in many ways be a shame to have such an iconic night go ahead with the most eccentric piece missing.

One thing we do know is that Nigel will be there, willing on his son to write what he feels was that final wrong in ’93.

Either way, their two fights will go down in the annals of the sport. Remembered by some as ‘A War to end All Wars’, let’s just hope that when the ceasefire halts on Saturday night, their son’s give us another memorable excerpt in the Benn-Eubank story.

Oscar Bevis

Official reporter for iFL TV

World title defence number nine for Bivol was always going to be an anticipated one. A historic win over Canelo Alvarez in May thrusted the Russian into the spotlight of the sporting world. His next challenge was to be one of a very different proportion, literally. 

If Canelo is fighter A, then Ramirez is fighter B. A physically imposing southpaw with a knockout streak that extends back to his 175lb debut in 2019. On paper, this is a fighter who should be everyone’s kryptonite. 

Yet what went down in the desert left a lot to be desired. For 12 rounds, Bivol chipped away at a disappointingly cautious Zurdo. Pre-fight, the Mexican promised to out-work Bivol, however his one-paced approach found him consistently in the firing line of the devastatingly accurate WBA champion. 

And despite going four years without a knockout victory, Bivol carries the consistent power to do damage. A sharp one-two 90 seconds into round one would have given Zurdo immediate cause for concern.

In fact, it was a first round that ended in fiery fashion, and any thoughts of a potential scorcher had the Abu Dhabi crowd on their feet. 

Yet those thoughts were wiped by a skilful, authoritative Bivol who exhibited his extensive arsenal on the way to a comprehensive victory.

Zurdo did have his moments but, having banked only one round by the half-way stage, he was always chasing a shot that never came. 

It was a frustrating night for Zurdo all round, and one that has perhaps revealed the blueprint needed to beat the man previously unbeaten in 44. 

He is a fighter who likes his prey in his line of sight. At a range to which he can throw his sharp combinations. Press that range, and you have a fighter forced to use his sluggish footwork in retreat. Bivol had this sussed from the opening bell, and even if the volume came from Zurdo, it was Bivol’s ring IQ that had Zurdo dancing to his tune. 

And it was a tune that made him feel uncomfortable. 

It really was a splendid performance from Bivol. The speed, that of a lightweight. The discipline, that of a soldier. The intelligence, that of a genius.

And that is what Dmitry Bivol is, a genius of his craft. 

Now, the boxing world awaits his next move, which could line up to be one the sport’s most mouth-watering matchups. 

The rematch with Canelo is the financial monster. Round 13. Las Vegas. Repeat or revenge. It all works. Yet with the Mexican seemingly out until the latter stages of 2023, you can bet your house that boxing’s hottest property won’t be sitting on his hands waiting.

Instead, he will want to let them hands fly, and who better to do so with than fellow Russian Artur Beterbiev. Beterbiev sits on the three belts that make up the light-heavyweight set - and he has earned them in devastating fashion: 18 fights, 18 wins and 18 knockouts say exactly that. But, in the words of Bivol himself …

‘The lion isn’t the biggest animal in the jungle, but he is the king’