Chris Eubank Jr. has spoken out ahead of rival Conor Benn’s first world title challenge tonight in Las Vegas, where he will attempt to dethrone Ryan Garcia to win the WBC belt.
Benn has dropped back down to welterweight for the first time since 2022 to face Garcia, having fought as high as middleweight in the time since.
Both of those 160lbs contest came against ‘born rival’ Eubank. After initially signing a contract to face at a catchweight of 157lbs, Benn failed two doping tests and was cast aside for some time.
When he was cleared to fight in 2025, both Eubank fights took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Benn jumping up to 160 while Eubank faced a rehydration clause of 10lbs.
Eubank won the first contest – fight of the year in the eyes of many – via unanimous decision, and Benn reversed the result in the return leg to get revenge. Shortly after, the 29-year-old was named mandatory challenger for the WBC welterweight title despite his absence from the weight class.
Though many rivalries turn friendly after fights, it is perhaps unsurprising, given just how bitter the pair were, that Eubank Jr. has sent a message of support to Garcia just hours before the fight.
Get the job done kid. pic.twitter.com/NYGdDgkgws
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 12, 2026
Garcia steps through the ropes a favourite to retain his belt against the Brit, hoping to put in a disciplined Mario Barrios-esque performance and avoid any slip-ups similar to that of his first fight in the division – a defeat to Rolando Romero.
As for Benn, he looks to score his first stoppage since a 2022 blowout of Chris Van Heerden. Whether or not the Brit can pull off the upset will be revealed tonight in Las Vegas.
Unlike Eubank, he benefits from no rehydration clause in the contest. Having tipped the scales at 146lbs, he has already rehydrated considerably ahead of fight night.
