THE fourth judge’s scorecard for Chris Eubank Jr’s epic clash with Conor Benn has been revealed.
The bitter rivals went toe-to-toe in an incredible 12-rounder at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.
REUTERSChris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn went to war for 12 rounds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium[/caption]
REUTERSEubank Jr, 35, won a hard-fought Tottenham tussle via unanimous decision[/caption]
X@MATCHROOMBOXINGThe ringside judges turned in 116-112 scorecards[/caption]
GETTYA fourth judge scored the contest 117-111 in favour of Eubank Jr[/caption]
Eubank Jr ensured his famous family maintained bragging rights over the Benns with a unanimous decision victory in what was a closely-contested fight.
All three ringside judges scored the contest 116-112 in favour of the two-time IBO middleweight champion.
A fourth judge was also deployed on the night, although their scorecard didn’t count towards the result of the Tottenham tussle.
The newly introduced AI judge was once again on duty in the Spurs slugfest, as it was in Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last December.
And the AI judge scored the contest in favour of Eubank Jr, turning in a wider scorecard of 117-111.
The stats backed up the AI judge.
Eubank Jr landed 43, 52 and 57 punches in the final three rounds, compared to Benn’s 40, 30 and 29.
He also dominated in other areas, landing 140 jabs from 350 attempts (40 per cent), with Benn connecting with just 35 of 137 jabs thrown (25.5 per cent).
On power punches Eubank Jr landed 227 from 562 thrown (40.4 per cent), compared to Benn’s 180 from 456 (39.5 per cent).
Benn cut a crestfallen figure after veteran MC Michael Buffer announced Eubank Jr – the son of his dad’s former rival Chris Eubank Sr – as the winner of the contest.
Dad Nigel consoled ‘The Destroyer’, who said of his first professional defeat: “It’s a hard one to swallow.
“I didn’t come into the fight thinking it would be that close.
“I didn’t come into the fight to lose, I didn’t come into it for anything other than winning.
“I wasn’t good enough and I have to do better.
“I didn’t think I lost the fight, but I don’t want to be delusional. I think it was a close fight and that’s it.
“I could have done better; 14 months out of the ring maybe played a factor in the fight.
“But what an amazing turnout, it really did feel like my homecoming. I wish him well, i know he’s gone to hospital.
“I’ve heard he has a broken jaw so I wish him a speedy recovery.
“I’d like to thank Senior because this is a family affair, it wouldn’t have been the same if he hasn’t been there.”
Eubank Jr said: “The fact our fathers did it all those years ago brings out a different spirit in you and that’s what we showed here tonight.
“I’m happy to have this man [Eubank Sr] back with me. He needed to be here. All this is because of what he did.
“We upheld the family name. Onwards and upwards.”
PAConor Benn cut a devastated figure in the aftermath of the fight[/caption]
Eubank Jr vs Benn: SunSport’s verdict
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS of the Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr rivalry was 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.
After tons of trash talking, egg throwing and mind games that have been played out to the world over the last three years, SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on what should be the final chapter in one of British boxing’s biggest beefs.
Read here to find out why the 12-round slugfest should not be repeated – and why the rivalry should now be put to bed.
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