Conor Benn has vowed to become the first man to KO Chris Eubank Jr when they meet in the ring later this year.
Benn and Eubank Jr have become rivals after their legendary fathers fought twice back in 1990 and 1993 respectively. Now the pair have agreed to meet in a bumper catchweight duel at the O2 Arena on October 8, after weeks of negotiations.
The British pair are both confident of getting the upper hand in the family feud, with both Benn and Eubank Jr coming face-to-face at a sports awards ceremony earlier this year. However Benn believes he has the KO power to close the show and will back himself even if he is dismissed as being delusional. “I’m confident in beating any man," he said in an interview with Matchroom Boxing. "I work hard enough, I know what I’m made of, I know what I can do.
"Whoever it is. I do what I’m supposed to do and more. It’s not just about beating someone, it’s how you look beating someone. You can’t take away from the victories I’ve had. Call me delusional, call me very confident, call me what you want. I believe I can be the first man to stop Chris.
My team and I had other options on the table as I'm currently ranked in the top five 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!”
Benn Sr and Eubank Sr both fought in two historic fights which captured the imagination of thousands in the UK, with Eubank getting the upper hand in their first meeting before the second fight was declared a split decision draw. Now it will be their sons who take the mantle from their fathers, despite being on different paths in their boxing careers.
Who are you backing to win - Chris Eubank Jr or Conor Benn? Let us know in the comments section below
Benn is currently on an upwards trajectory having made a remarkable rise at 147lb, where he will be eyeing a world title eliminator upon his return. Meanwhile Eubank Jr is eyeing a world title shot of his own, but is at a much later stage of his career having suffered defeats to George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders.
The 32-year-old believes the pair have been on the same struggles, but will be able to finally recapture the tensions of an epic rivalry. “He has walked the same path as I have. I know his struggle," he said. "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."
