THIRTY-FIVE YEARS of the Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr rivalry were settled with 36 minutes of violence.
Yet with all the tremendous heart shown by both boxers, there wasn’t much technique, skill or finesse on display here.
ReutersChris Eubank Jr battled his way back to beat Conor Benn by unanimous decision[/caption]
ReutersTheir dads Nigel and Eubank Sr came together in a mark of respect before the bell went[/caption]
GettyEubank Jr celebrates after his famous victory with his dad[/caption]
There has been tons of trash talking, egg throwing and mind games played out to the world over the last three years.
But the 12-round slugfest that left both men exhausted should not be repeated and the rivalry should now be put to bed.
There were lots of wild swings. But there wasn’t a lot of oxygen.
Benn started every round frantically, full of energy, but that always seemed to wilt.
And Eubank, having made a terribly harsh weight cut and being forced to reduce his hydration, even on Saturday morning, looked like the shell of a boxer at times.
Both men were shattered from the halfway point and were just swinging and slugging, never giving in.
Totally unexpectedly, Eubank Sr arrived without warning at the Tottenham stadium alongside his son.
And that seemed to give his eldest boy the extra lift when he needed it.
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It still seemed that Eubank Jr got hurt more than Benn at times.
Especially in the eighth round where he was buzzed and staggering and clinging on.
But Jr stepped up to the plate and delivered a grandstand finish, with his legs unmovable at times.
And it’s not all bad news for Benn, who showed a great chin, while going up to middleweight and 160lbs.
But the good news is this fight cannot be sold on spite, venom and hatred anymore.
It’s just not there.
ReutersBenn looked devastated after letting the fight get away from him[/caption]
AFPBoth families came together in the end[/caption]
All the brothers, all the sons and all the dads were sharing cuddles and hugs and talking to each other with great respect at the end.
If they decide to do a rematch, it can’t be about that same supposed hatred.
And it shouldn’t involve Eubank Jr having to boil down to this weight again.
Let them move on and get on with their careers.
Both can enjoy their £8MILLION that they’ve pocketed, and stop pretending that they hate each other.
Round by brutal round
CHRIS EUBANK JR secured the family bragging rights in his second generation grudge match against Conor Benn.
With three unanimous 116-112 verdicts, Eubank Jr prevailed in the family feud, with his dad making a return to his corner to watch it.
It lived up to the all hype – EVERY round was bloody, tasty and violent, before the more-experienced Eubank stood strong to come back into it and snatch victory.
Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg gives you the ultimate breakdown of a gripping clash between the sons of two British boxing legends.
ReutersBenn touchingly spoke to Eubank Sr after the bell[/caption]
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