PROMOTER Eddie Hearn may have been on the wrong end of the decision last night, but he exited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium brimming with pride at Conor Benn’s headline performance. Describing Benn’s defeat to Eubank Jr as a “very close fight that could have gone either way,” Hearn remains optimistic for the future.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Conor Benn and when you get a fight like that, I can’t really moan because boxing just won tonight,” buzzed Eddie.
“This kid’s been through so much. He become the people’s champion and a massive star of British boxing. Respect to [Eubank] Junior, I thought he showed unbelievable toughness. I hope that he’s okay. I know he said he’s got a broken jaw, but that’s just what I’ve heard. Hopefully not. Just blown away by what I saw in there tonight.”
As the final round descended into a toe-to-toe slugfest, where anything seemed possible, Hearn wasn’t just assessing the three minutes of action but all of the perceived disadvantages his man had faced in the build-up.
“14 months out of the ring, all the mental and emotional problems that he’s been through over the last couple of years,” Hearn continued.
“Coming up two divisions to fight a much bigger guy. All people talked about was Chris Eubank making a championship weight that he’s done for the last two years. Conor hasn’t even turned his phone on yet.
“I’m so excited to see what he’s about to receive because you know the sh*t he’s had for the last two and a half years, how sh*t his life’s been and what he’s had to go through and come through the other side. I know the British public. He’s become a hero tonight and I’m so happy for him.”
In the chaotic, fast-paced world of boxing, talk has already turned to what’s next for both men. A rematch will be discussed, despite Eubank Jr.’s struggles to safely make weight at 160, and the fact that Benn is a natural 147-pounder himself.
“I don’t want him to have too many fights like that. We’ve got so many disadvantages up at middleweight, but he stood there and took the kitchen sink off Chris Eubank Jr tonight. He buzzed him repeatedly. Probably with a little bit more sharpness, probably with a little bit more experience, which he’s now had, he can beat him.”
Rather than running it back, Benn could return to welterweight to tackle the likes of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis or Mario Barrios, who is currently pursuing a fight with Manny Pacquiao.
“He beats Mario Barrios all day long. He also fills any arena in the country now because we have now got a young superstar. Not Eubank who’s 35, not Fury who’s in his mid-30s. Not all these other guys.
“A 28-year-old guy who has got a great backstory and can entertain the fight crowd from start to finish. He never stopped trying to win the fight, not survive, win the fight and the British public love that sh*t.”
