Chris Eubank Jr has been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after defeating Conor Benn by unanimous decision in a highly anticipated middleweight clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After an intense 12-round battle, all three judges scored the contest 116-112 in favour of Eubank Jr, handing the 35-year-old a major victory in front of a packed north London crowd.
In a statement issued shortly before midnight, promoters Boxxer confirmed that Eubank Jr was taken to hospital on the recommendation of the ringside doctor, despite successfully completing the bout.
Speaking after the win, Eubank Jr admitted he had underestimated his opponent: “I didn’t expect Conor to be the guy to bring it out of me. I didn’t know he had that in him, I thought I would break him early. I underestimated him, I didn’t prepare for a fight like that.”
Eubank Jr, who went into the bout with a record of 34 wins and 3 losses (25 by knockout), ultimately showcased his experience against the previously undefeated Benn, who had won all 23 of his professional fights, 14 by knockout.
His father, boxing legend Chris Eubank Sr, was ringside and expressed his pride after the fight, calling his son’s performance “outstanding” and praising Benn as an “extraordinary” fighter.
Fight Breakdown
Benn, 28, came out aggressively, forcing Eubank Jr to weather an early storm of power punches. Eubank Jr found himself under pressure and appeared unsteady at times during the opening rounds.
However, as the fight progressed into the middle rounds, Eubank Jr began to turn the tide, beating Benn to the punch and landing cleaner shots. A clash of heads in the ninth round left Eubank Jr with a cut above his right eye, but it did not slow him down.
Benn reflected on the fight afterwards, saying: “I’m not going to say I deserved to win it, I have to watch it back. Maybe I stayed on the ropes a bit too long. Chris is a good fighter. All the fighting talk is fighting talk. I’d love the rematch.
Historic Rivalry
The bout carried extra significance given the family history. Benn’s father, Nigel Benn, and Eubank Sr famously fought twice during the 1990s, with their fierce rivalry captivating British boxing fans.
Ahead of the fight, Eubank Jr faced controversy after coming in slightly over the 160lb middleweight limit, weighing 160.05lbs, and receiving a fine.
Despite the boos from sections of the crowd at the final bell, Eubank Jr’s performance earned him a crucial victory—and potentially sets up a lucrative rematch in the future.
