‘Not looked the same’ – Conor Benn’s lost his ferocity since drug saga, claims Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin Harlem

HARLEM EUBANK reckons Conor Benn will not have the trademark ferocity he needs ahead of the toxic showdown with his cousin Chris Jr.

In 2022, Benn failed two VADA drug tests for testosterone-boosting clomifene, which forced the cancellation of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr that October.

Benn and Eubank Jr rematch in north London this weekendSPLASH

There’s been some beef amidst the Eubank ranks, but not Benn’sGetty

The 28-year-old son of British ring legend Nigel was rapidly cleared by the WBC sanctioning body — with the busts down to eating too many contaminated foreign eggs — and he later won two cases with the UK National Anti-Doping Panel.

The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed this month that the fighter has activated his right to keep the evidence and findings strictly confidential.

And the middleweight fight — billed as the third instalment of a magnificent rivalry their fathers created 35 years ago — has taken another three years to be made.

Undefeated welterweight Harlem, 31, highlights the two underwhelming points wins since the drugs saga — compared to a handful of sensational early knockouts — as a sign that Benn’s power might have faded.

No adverse findings were found in any of Benn’s previous tests and there is no suggestion he has cheated.

But Brighton’s 21-0 ace, who has called out Benn in the past, told SunSport: “He comes out with a ferocious mentality to the early rounds but gets caught as well.

“I don’t think he has looked the same, or shown the same ferocity or intention, that he showed in the fights before.

“Whoever is looking is going to see that.

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“And I am sure Chris has taken the same view as everyone looking on.”

Harlem, whose father Simon was also a professional boxer and tragically died from frontal lobe dementia aged just 61, grew up among the proud Eubank fighting clan.

So he recognises every stunt, insult and mind game that his 35-year-old cousin has egg-slapped Benn and his promoter Eddie Hearn with.

And he reckons the upper hand Jr took by shell-shocking his Essex rival with an egg to the face in their February face-off — a move that landed him a £100,000 fine — was well worth it ahead of Saturday’s Tottenham clash.

Harlem said: “It’s entertaining for the public and Junior knows how to do that.

“I know his dad doesn’t like it but he’s steering the public and he’s mentally ten steps ahead of Benn.

“Chris has won all of the exchanges so far and I don’t think the fight will be any different. I can’t see anything other than a Eubank Jr stoppage.”

Benn, like his brilliant two-weight world champion dad, likes to explode from the very first bell.

But he has completed just one 12-round fight, compared to Eubank Jr’s six full championship shifts.

And Harlem reckons his cousin might play with his food, if he gets a taste for punishing his rival.

He explained: “I know that Chris likes to entertain, so he might let the kid hang around for a few  more rounds, to make it look  competitive.

“If there’s nothing else at play, then it’s a stoppage win for Chris.”

GettyHarlem Eubank has given SunSport his verdict[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]