Will Chris Eubank Jr really bow out after being taken apart by Conor Benn?
It’s a sobering thought for the 36-year-old, whose ego will be badly bruised today after suffering the fourth defeat of his career.
His father walked away in 1995 after Steve Collins proved their first meeting in Millstreet was no fluke. One month after losing to Collins for a second time, Eubank said:
“There is life outside the ring and I feel the pressure is now off me. I’ve been boxing since I was 16 and it’s a hard life. I won’t be coming back.”
He did, of course, and fought five more times before finally retiring in 1998.
Benn now wants a world title and believes the rivalry should end here. The manner of Eubank Jr’s loss and the mileage on his body have convinced many that this is the right time to step aside.
But what if he doesn’t? Boxing News looks at three possible opponents should Eubank choose to fight on.
Hamzah Sheeraz
Speaking to BN in October 2024, Hamzah Sheeraz made it clear he believed Turki Alalshikh would deliver the fight.
“I think it will [happen]. If you asked me without His Excellency’s backing, I’d say no chance, but he’s a man who makes things happen. I feel like he’s getting a liking for this fight.”
One positive for Eubank is that the fight would be at super-middleweight, sparing him the punishing cut to 160. Sheeraz, who looked flat in his final middleweight outing against Carlos Adames, reignited his career by demolishing Edgar Berlanga in July. He was ringside last night and would only be more confident after watching Benn dismantle Eubank.
A super-middleweight showdown in Riyadh may tempt Eubank, but he would need to be at his absolute best to cope with the towering, rangy and heavy-handed Sheeraz.
Ben Whittaker
This one makes a certain kind of sense. Eubank’s father once moved all the way to cruiserweight to take on Carl Thompson in two punishing fights. For Junior, jumping just two divisions to light-heavyweight to face Ben Whittaker is hardly an act of masochism.
Eubank could take a long break, enjoy fatherhood, and let his body recover. By this time next year Whittaker should have two or three fights under his belt with new promoter Eddie Hearn. Watching from a distance, Eubank might well decide to return and quieten the brash Brummie.
Ego versus ego. Hearn versus Eubank. And crucially, an event with enough spectacle to lure Eubank back for the right payday.
Billy Joe Saunders
One of the most discussed rematches never to materialise. Billy Joe Saunders has never formally retired following his 2021 loss to Canelo Alvarez, but years of weight gain have made the road back long and uneven.
It’s been 11 years since Saunders edged Eubank in their British, Commonwealth and European middleweight title clash –– a bout of two halves that always felt like it needed a sequel. One that would take place at 168lbs or above.
Saunders would surely have enjoyed watching Benn hand Eubank another defeat and may now feel the time is right to return. A rematch has been touted for years and, in 2026, it may finally become a reality.
