Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn have announced they will renew their family feud at The O2 Arena in London on October 8.
Benn, whose dad Nigel was the middleweight and super-middleweight champion when he fought Eubank's father Chris Sr in the 1990s, will jump two weight divisions for the super-fight. The pair will meet at a catchweight of 156lb almost 29 years to the day since their fathers last fought to a draw at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Eubank Jr is still eyeing fights against the winner of Gennady Golovkin vs Canelo Alvarez or a rematch with Billy Joe Saunders, but takes a brief detour for this nostalgic super-fight. Benn is rising the ranks at welterweight, and will likely drop back down to campaign in future, once he's made massive money for this historic bout.
Who do you think wins; Chris Eubank Jr or Conor Benn? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
“I grew up watching their legendary battles and always wanting to emulate that, and find my own arch nemesis… could this now be Conor Benn? We will find out,” said Eubank Jr.
"He has walked the same path as I have. I know his struggle. Living in the shadow of a legend and trying to break out of that shadow and make his own name. If he can beat me, his name will be made, and he will never walk in his father’s shadow again.
“It’s a fight that’s going to spark the imagination of the British public, that’s what I’m happy about. In terms of anticipation, legacy and hype it’s the biggest fight of my career.”
Meanwhile, Benn believes the fight, which will take place on DAZN PPV, is for "legacy" and was too good an opportunity to decline.
“This fight is for the legacy and was an opportunity I felt I couldn't pass up,” said Benn. “My team and I had other options on the table as I'm currently ranked top 5 with all governing bodies at Welterweight and no doubt I'm looking for a World Championship fight very soon, but this fight is embedded with so much history and I know it's one the public really want to see. To me this fight is personal - it's more than titles and rankings, this is unfinished business between our families!
“Born Rivals is the perfect calling for this fight, because we have always been associated and I've always been asked if we'd ever fight, and now I can't wait for the world to be able to watch us make that happen.
“All I know is that from my side, this will be an all-out war, last man standing kind of fight. Neither will give up until the last bell rings. I won't be looking to take this to the score cards though, this will be explosive from the off. I'm so up for this.”
The rivalry between their famous world champion fathers has thawed significantly in recent years, with the pair travelling across the UK for a speaking tour over the past year. But they'll be transported right back to their heated fighting days when their sons compete later this year.
It had always seemed that the deal would be difficult to make, at least until the end of Eubank Jr's career, due to the size disparity. Benn is three inches shorter and has a four inches reach disadvantage against his rival, who has fought at 168lb.
The young fighter will be taking not only a massive step-up size-wise; his career heaviest is 10lb less than Eubank Jr's career lightest, but in quality of competition as well. He most recently defeated Chris van Herdeen in Manchester, while Eubank Jr took out Liam Williams in Cardiff with a dominant display.
Speaking about the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn said: “I can’t quite believe this is happening but let me tell you, it’s happening!
"Weeks of negotiations have led to one of the biggest moments in British boxing - these two Born Rivals will do battle in an epic match up that has absolutely everything.
"Ever since they both turned professional, people talked about this moment and now is the time to see the historic rivalry continue. I want to thank DAZN for all their support in making this mega fight - roll on October 8!”
