Chris Eubank Jr will face Conor Benn on October 8 at the O2 Arena, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Benn and Eubank Jr will continue a family legacy which saw their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr clash twice in the 90’s, forming one of the greatest British rivalries of all-time.
Talk of a showdown has intensified in recent weeks, with Benn’s Promoter Eddie Hearn telling Pro Boxing Fans on Thursday that the fight was close and the showdown was officially confirmed on Tuesday.
The weight has always been a sticking point for the pair, with Benn campaigning at 147lbs and Eubank Jr having his last four fights at middleweight after a spell at super middleweight, but the pair are set to fight at a catchweight, although the exact weight was not confirmed.
Benn, 25, initially called out his Brighton rival in early February after witnessing his victory over Liam Williams, stating on Twitter that “I’d fancy my chances at a catchweight.”
‘The Destroyer’ has won 21 professional fights, the last a second round destruction of Chris van Heerden in Manchester in April.
Eubank Jr is unbeaten is his last six bouts with his only two previous defeats coming in a world title bid against George Groves in 2018 and to Billy Joe Saunders in 2014, both on points.
“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.”
Their fathers fought for the first time in Birmingham in November 1990, with Eubank Sr ripping away the WBO middleweight title with a ninth round stoppage win.
🗣️ “I’m going to get in there and steam straight into him!” – @ConorNigel #EubankJrBenn pic.twitter.com/GsS2u0Ukyg
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 9, 2022
Their rematch almost three years attracted over 40,000 fans to Old Trafford, although the pair shared the spoils in a split decision draw in a super middleweight world title unification.
Their sons will fight almost 29 years to the day of their rematch.
“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!
October 8 live on @DAZNBoxing the greatest rivalry in British Boxing continues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7Rr172T6eW
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) August 9, 2022
“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.”
