Chris Eubank Jr defeats Conor Benn by unanimous decision in grudge match

Chris Eubank Jr seals a clear points win over Conor Benn in a heated battle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Chris Eubank Jr lands a punch on Conor Benn during their middleweight fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025, in London, England. Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Chris Eubank Jr defeats Conor Benn in a brutal and emotionally charged 12-round battle to claim a unanimous decision victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night. The long-awaited grudge match between the sons of British boxing legends lived up to its fierce billing, with Eubank Jr emerging victorious in front of a raucous crowd.

All three judges scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Eubank Jr, who showcased resilience, tactical awareness, and superior physicality to overcome his bitter rival. Their encounter revived the fierce Eubank-Benn rivalry that captivated British boxing fans during the 1990s, when Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn faced off in two historic clashes.

A family legacy reignited

The atmosphere inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric, with Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn watching ringside as their sons battled to uphold their family names. Eubank Jr, 35, showed grit and discipline as he exchanged heavy blows with the younger Benn throughout the grueling contest.

Speaking after his win, Eubank Jr reflected on the emotional weight of the bout. "I knew I could do that, I just needed someone to bring that out of me and I didn't think that he would be the guy to do that," he said. "The fact our fathers did it years ago brings out a different spirit into you and that's what we showed here tonight."

Despite prior tensions, Eubank Sr ultimately attended the fight, arriving in flamboyant style via a black London taxi. His presence proved inspirational for his son, who paid tribute to the family legacy after the final bell. "I'm happy to have this man back with me. We upheld the family name, onwards and upwards," Eubank Jr said.

Eubank Sr was full of praise for his son's gritty performance, highlighting the toughness he showed by standing toe-to-toe with Benn. "He couldn't move around the ring, he had to stand toe-to-toe and that is legendary behavior in the ring. I am so proud of him," said the former world champion. "Conor Benn is an extraordinary fighter and you saw that tonight. I thought he would go out in four or five rounds but he was strong throughout the fight."

Overcoming obstacles in the lead-up

The build-up to the showdown was rife with controversy, including a minor drama over the weigh-in. Eubank Jr narrowly missed the contracted weight limit by 0.05lb, resulting in a hefty £375,000 ($499,000) fine. Nevertheless, the British fighter proved his conditioning was more than sufficient to last the distance against Benn, who is seven years his junior.

The fight began with Benn charging forward aggressively, attempting to overwhelm Eubank Jr with raw power and relentless pressure. However, Eubank Jr’s superior movement and ring IQ enabled him to evade many of Benn’s most dangerous shots.

As the rounds progressed, Eubank Jr settled into his rhythm, countering effectively and gradually sapping Benn’s energy. By the championship rounds, Eubank Jr's size advantage and tactical patience were evident, leaving Benn looking increasingly fatigued and vulnerable.

Eubank Jr’s superior strategy shines through

In the decisive later rounds, Eubank Jr raised his output, landing clean punches and asserting dominance over his tiring opponent. The crowd roared with every heavy exchange, sensing they were witnessing another historic chapter in the storied rivalry between the two families.

By the time the final bell rang, it was clear that Eubank Jr had done enough to secure victory. Benn, visibly exhausted, was left to rue missed opportunities and periods of inactivity during the bout.

Benn, 27, admitted that his extended layoff had affected his performance. "Fourteen months out of the ring played a factor, that would be the only thing, inactivity," Benn said after the loss. "I felt like it was a close fight. I'm not going to say 'yeah I should have won that', I've got to watch it back. It was close."

The young fighter acknowledged his tactical errors, particularly spending too much time on the ropes, which allowed Eubank Jr to rack up points in crucial moments. "I stayed on the ropes maybe a bit too long and he worked harder towards the end," Benn added.

Future rematch on the horizon?

Despite the bitter rivalry and bruising nature of the fight, both men expressed interest in a potential rematch. Benn made it clear he would relish another opportunity to set the record straight.

"If we don't do the rematch, which I'd love to do to avenge the loss, I'll go down to welterweight and win the WBC world title," Benn said. "It's either Mario Barrios or the rematch with Eubank, whichever happens next I'll be content with."

A rematch between Eubank Jr and Benn would undoubtedly attract huge interest, especially given the intense history between the two boxing dynasties. For now, however, Chris Eubank Jr stands tall, having defeated Conor Benn in a fight that captured the imagination of the British boxing public and honored the legacy of their fathers’ legendary rivalry.

As the dust settles from this brutal battle, the story of Chris Eubank Jr defeating Conor Benn will be remembered as a defining moment in the continuing saga between two of Britain's most famous boxing families.