Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are gearing up for a highly anticipated rematch, scheduled to take place on September 20 in London. The exact venue for the bout has yet to be confirmed.
This second meeting between the two British boxers comes after their thrilling encounter in April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Eubank Jr secured a unanimous decision victory with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112 in his favor.
The initial fight between Eubank Jr and Benn was marked by intense rivalry, partly fueled by the storied boxing careers of their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, who first clashed 35 years ago. Despite no title being on the line, the bout garnered significant attention and showcased the boxers’ skills. Eubank Jr’s victory extended his record to 35 wins in 38 fights.
The path to their first fight was not without controversy. The pair were initially set to face each other in 2022, but the bout was canceled due to Benn’s failed drug test. Benn maintained that the doping was unintentional and was later cleared to fight by anti-doping authorities.
The tension between the two boxers was palpable during a heated media conference in February, where Eubank Jr slapped Benn with an egg, apparently referencing a report that suggested Benn’s failed drug test could have been caused by consuming large quantities of eggs. Eubank Jr was subsequently fined £100,000 for the incident.
Following the confirmation of the rematch, Benn posted on social media, “Experience gained, lessons learned.” This statement reflects his determination to learn from their first encounter and come back stronger.
Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that a two-fight contract is in place, prioritizing the rematch. While September 20 has been set as the date for the rematch, there’s also mention of September 27 as a possible alternative date.
The rematch is part of the Riyadh Season events, promoted by Sela, Boxxer, and Matchroom. Given the intense rivalry and public interest in their first fight, expectations are high for their second encounter.
Nigel Benn, Conor’s father, expressed his son’s desire for a rematch, stating that they would like to face Eubank Jr again, potentially in Tottenham, and thanked the British fans for their support.