Conor Benn has come out on top against Chris Eubank Jr. during their rematch held this past Saturday on November 15th. Headlining at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London where their first fight was held, the match between the two fighters would surprisingly become a one-sided affair as Benn dominated the older and more experienced Eubank to finally bring a win for the Benn family. Benn ultimately won the fight by unanimous decision. The event was promoted by Matchroom.
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn
The non-title middleweight (160 lbs) bout between Conor Benn (24-1, 14 KO’s) and Chris Eubank Jr. (35-4, 25 KO’s) ― scheduled for 12 rounds ― saw the former employ a better strategic plan than the first fight as he began utilizing his jab more in order to set up his power punches.
Unlike the first fight, Eubank’s power seemed completely absent in the fight, allowing Benn to take most of the rounds with virtual ease. The first couple of rounds quickly saw Benn put himself in the lead as Eubank’s approach to box from the outside backfired; with his defense crumpling quickly in the face of Benn’s pressure.
Known for launching powerful combinations, Conor Benn showed prime conditioning as he progressively beat Chris Eubank up over the rounds, especially in the latter half of the fight. By the 12th and final round, Benn ― who was already far ahead on the scorecards ― cemented his victory with two knockdowns that Eubank barely survived as the round closed.
The end result saw Benn deservingly declared the winner by unanimous decision (UD) though the obvious marks of what was very likely a deteriorated Eubank does suggest the victory did not occur on a level playing field.
Eubank, 36, has had palpable issues with making weight at 160 lbs and with a rehydration clause imposed on him, the weight cutting seems to have clearly had an effect during the second fight.
In comparison, the younger 29-year old Benn faced no handicaps, having only had to deal with adjusting to the 160-pound limit where he had fought Eubank previously.
With the match concluded, Chris Eubank’s career seems to have been definitively reached its ceiling while Conor Benn could look forward towards a return at welterweight (147 lbs) where the chance to become a world champion seems the obvious path with at least four champions in the division.
The victory further concludes a generational saga between the Eubank and Benn family that stemmed from the heated rivalry between Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn. The Eubank family is currently still ahead, with the recent loss changing their record to 3-1 against the Benn family.
Undercard fights:
Competing in his second fight at 147 lbs, British fighter Jack Catterall (32-2, 14 KO’s) did well to carve out a win over a more experienced welterweight in fellow Brit Ekow Essuman (22-2, 8 KO’s), stopping his opponent in the 11th round to showcase his improvement.
British super lightweight contender Adam Azim (14-0, 11 KO’s) similarly oversaw a late technical knockout (TKO) win over the American opponent Kurt Scoby (18-2, 16 KO’s).
British former cruiserweight (200 lbs) contender Richard Riakporhe (19-1, 15 KO’s) also made an appearance on the card where he cruised to a 2nd round TKO victory over countryman Tommy Welsh (16-1, 9 KO’s) in his second appearance at heavyweight (200+ lbs).
