This week there will probably be more predictions and debate about Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 than any other fight in British boxing this year.
Their first encounter in April was a battle of survival, will and ego, which saw Eubank come out on top with a points decision.
Second time around, nothing has changed. It’s at the same weight, at the same venue, and the hostility and rivalry are just as intense.
Will Eubank make it 2-0, or can Benn summon up that bit more to put a win on the board for his family in a rivalry that has spanned more than 30 years? Boxing News picked the brains of five industry experts to get their prediction for Eubank Jr–Benn 2.
Carl Frampton (Former two-weight world champion)
“I say revenge. I think Benn’s going to beat Eubank this time. The last fight was unbelievable, but fights like that take something out of you. And at Eubank’s age, it takes a little bit more out of Eubank than it does out of Benn. I fancy Conor Benn to do it, but that means he’ll [Eubank] do it again.”
Roy Jones Jr (Former four-weight world champion)
“I think it’s going to be a little tougher this time because I’m sure Benn, if he’s smart, he’s going to make some adjustments. And if he makes adjustments, it’s going to make it real good, fun again. I expect another brilliant fight like it was the first time. Eubank probably should win it again because of his size, but I think it’ll be a better fight than the first one.”
Paul Smith Jr (Former world title challenger)
“I’ve said repeat from the minute it was made. But I think the way Benn hurt him in that fight and could hurt him again –– I think Benn might have enough in there to do it. I think Eubank’s done, and I’ve said it since he fought my brother Liam. Benn should have learned enough in the first fight to be able to do that.
“I do think Eubank might be a bit better, but I still think if you’re getting caught by Benn and hurt when you’re a big middleweight –– and you’ve been in with big middleweights and super-middleweights like [George] Groves and not been budged –– then there’s a problem. And the problem is he’s probably had better days.”
Johnny Nelson (Former WBO cruiserweight champion)
“I’m expecting revenge. I think both fighters put in an amazing performance. I think Junior left everything in the ring. The contractual conditions are exactly the same. I don’t see anything else being physically different.
“I thought Conor had a bit more left in the tank to give something else. I don’t want Conor to overthink it because I know he said he was emotionally invested. He needs the eye of the tiger, he needs that sting, he needs that ‘I want to smash your face in.’ But he needs to do it in a calculated way –– not be too smart and overcook it.”
Michael Conlan (Former world title challenger)
“I don’t like the fact that the rehydration clause is still there. I think that’s completely wrong. If Benn really wanted his revenge, then the rehydration clause should have been taken out. The first fight was a great watch, a great spectacle –– not great in terms of actual boxing.
“People forget the doping scandal a bit, so I’m not a fan of it. I hope it’s the same kinda fight, only cleaner from Chris.”
Another man that has shared his take on the upcoming rematch is Eubank Jr’s own father Chris Sr, who had a defiant message ahead of the bout.
