CHRIS Eubank Jr defeated his UK rival Conor Benn on points in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening. All three judges handed in identical scores of 116-112, awarding the Eubank offspring victory in a rivalry that has spanned 35 years, going back to their fathers, who fought twice.
Promoters Boxxer later confirmed, as reported by Sky News, that the winner had been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. The bout was bubbling with bad blood not only during fight week, but from the previously cancelled meeting and an egg slap from Eubank Jr. further stoked the flames.
Eubank’s father, Chris Sr, publicly distanced himself from his son and was not expected to show up at the event. The sight of father and son exiting a lift together before the fight produced a collective gasp across sporting social media.
Back in the ring, Eubank Jr struggled to implement his size advantage over his natural welterweight opponent early on. As the fight developed, Eubank Jr’s sharper shots, particularly his left jab, created distance, before he tired, no doubt struggling from the challenging weight cut. Eubank Jr managed to battle through a round nine cut eye to prevail. Referee Victor Loughlin did a good job of keeping the action flowing.
Improving his record to 35-3 (25 KOs), Eubank Jr later admitted that he had perhaps underestimated Benn, 23-1 (14 KOS), and the tenacity his smaller opponent would bring to the ring. It was a frenzied affair at times.
The last round was an electric brawl between two fighters determined not to lose. In the end, the Eubank dynasty rolls on victorious. Try as they might, the Benns just cannot get one over on either Eubank Junior or Senior.
On the big fight undercard, after sharing two bouts with one apiece, Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur went at it for the third time. It was tight and tense. Arthur dominated early doors behind the jab. Yarde came on strong in the second half to win by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 (twice).
Aaron McKenna scored a career-best victory, outhustling, outlanding and outsmarting Liam Smith over 12 rounds. The young Irishman prevailed by scores of 117-109, 118-108 and 119-108.
Viddal Riley is the new British cruiserweight champion after beating Cheavon Clarke on points. Clarke was surprisingly listless throughout, losing by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.
Chris Billam-Smith opened the show with a unanimous decision victory over America’s Brandon Glanton. The judges recorded scores of 116-113 and 116-112 (twice), all in favour of the former WBO cruiserweight champion.
