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The Unfinished Business of British Boxing's Defining Feud

Monday, 10 November 2025 12:20

Summary

The generational rivalry between the Benn and Eubank families returns to the ring for a second time as Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn prepare for their middleweight rematch on 15 November 2025 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The sequel follows Eubank Jr.'s unanimous decision victory in April, a contest that lived up to the ferocious legacy established by their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr., in the 1990s. The build-up to the first fight was overshadowed by the controversy of Conor Benn's 2022 positive test for the banned substance clomifene, a two-year saga that concluded with his clearance by the National Anti-Doping Panel in November 2024. With the legal battles resolved, the focus shifts entirely to the tactical adjustments: Eubank Jr. has reunited with elite trainer Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre for a more disciplined approach, while Benn seeks redemption by promising a more calculated performance to avenge his first professional loss.

A Legacy Forged in Fire and Ice

The contest between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn is not merely a professional boxing match; it is the continuation of a defining cultural saga in British sport that began over three decades ago . The original rivalry between their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, was a volatile clash of personalities and styles that captivated the nation in the early 1990s . Nigel Benn, known as 'The Dark Destroyer,' was the embodiment of raw, relentless aggression, a former soldier who overwhelmed opponents with ferocity and power . His counterpart, Chris Eubank Sr., was the calculated showman, known for his theatrical ring entrances, aristocratic mannerisms, and an elusive, defensive style . Their first encounter, a brutal war for the WBO middleweight title, took place on 18 November 1990, at the NEC in Birmingham . Eubank Sr. absorbed significant punishment before rallying to stop Benn in the ninth round, inflicting only the second loss of Benn’s career . The animosity was genuine and personal, extending beyond the ring, as evidenced by Benn’s team sabotaging Eubank Sr.’s trademark ring walk music, Tina Turner’s 'Simply the Best,' before the first fight . The highly anticipated rematch, a unification bout for the WBC and WBO super-middleweight titles, was held on 9 October 1993, at Old Trafford, Manchester . This second fight was a more tactical affair, though still intense, and ended in a split draw, a dramatic stalemate that left the rivalry unresolved and a third fight never materialised . The two bouts were a commercial and cultural phenomenon, with the rematch drawing an audience of 42,000 spectators and being watched by 16.5 million viewers on British television . The sons inherited this 'born rivals' narrative, a ready-made storyline that guaranteed immense public interest for their own contest .

The First Encounter and the Shadow of Controversy

The modern chapter of the feud was initially scheduled for October 2022 at The O2 Arena in London, but the event was cancelled just two days before the fight . The cancellation followed the revelation that Conor Benn had tested positive for the banned substance clomifene in two separate tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) . Clomifene is a female fertility drug that is known to elevate testosterone levels in men, and its detection led the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) to prohibit Benn from participating and subsequently remove his licence . Benn maintained his innocence throughout the two-year ordeal, which he described as the 'toughest fight of my life' . His defence team presented a detailed breakdown of his diet, arguing that a 'highly-elevated consumption of eggs' was the 'reasonable explanation' for the adverse finding . The World Boxing Council (WBC) cleared Benn of intentional or knowing ingestion in February 2023 and reinstated him in their rankings . However, the BBBofC and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) continued their investigation, leading to a provisional suspension that was lifted and then reinstated following an appeal . The matter was finally resolved in November 2024 when the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) cleared Benn of any wrongdoing, stating it was 'not comfortably satisfied' that UKAD had proved a doping offence had been committed . This clearance paved the way for Benn to resume his career in the UK, setting the stage for the rescheduled fight . The first fight between the sons eventually took place on 26 April 2025, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium . The bout was a thrilling, physical contest that exceeded expectations, with both men fighting at a relentless pace . Eubank Jr., who had fought at middleweight and super-middleweight throughout his career, used his size and experience to secure a unanimous decision victory with identical scores of 116-112 from all three judges . Benn, a natural welterweight, was moving up two weight classes to fight at middleweight (160 lbs) with a 10 lbs rehydration clause, a condition that was a significant factor in the contest . Eubank Jr. out-threw and out-landed Benn by a near 2:1 ratio, demonstrating his comfort in the ring by reportedly taunting his opponent with phrases like 'Weak' and 'It’s too easy, man' during the action .

The Tactical Chess Match of the Sequel

The rematch, billed as 'The Ring: Unfinished Business,' is scheduled for 15 November 2025, returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium . The fight will again be contested at the middleweight limit of 160 lbs, with the restrictive 10 lbs rehydration clause remaining in place . Both fighters have made significant changes in preparation for the sequel, acknowledging the need for tactical evolution after the first bout . Chris Eubank Jr., now 36, has parted ways with his previous coach and reunited with Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre, the renowned trainer of pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford . Eubank Jr. previously worked with McIntyre for his successful rematch against Liam Smith in 2023, a victory that gives him confidence in his ability to adjust for a second encounter . McIntyre’s focus for the Dubai training camp has been on 'fine-tuning' Eubank Jr.’s technique, aiming to correct the defensive mistakes and lack of a clear plan that were evident in the first fight . The goal is a more composed and strategic performance, capitalising on Eubank Jr.’s natural size and experience advantage . For Conor Benn, the primary adjustment is mental and emotional . He admitted that his initial approach was marred by a 'lack of discipline' and too much emotion, leading him to fade in the later rounds . Benn, who is 28, is vowing to be 'more disciplined, more calculated' while retaining his trademark ferocity . Analysts suggest that Benn’s key tactical challenge is moving beyond his reliance on single, powerful shots . To overcome Eubank Jr.’s high-volume, combination-punching style, Benn must improve his stamina and adapt his game to throw in higher volume, a change that requires a fundamental shift in his conditioning and offensive skills . The stakes are immense for both men . For Eubank Jr., a second victory would cement his dominance in the family rivalry and keep him in contention for a world title shot at middleweight . For Benn, a win would not only avenge his first professional loss but also validate his career trajectory and clear the path for him to challenge for a world title at his natural welterweight division . The fight is promoted by SELA, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with sponsorship from Riyadh Season, underscoring the global commercial significance of this domestic feud .

Conclusion

The rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn is a rare event in modern boxing, a sequel driven by a genuine, multi-generational narrative and a compelling tactical puzzle . The first fight, despite the shadow of the clomifene controversy that preceded it, delivered a memorable, action-packed contest . Now, with the legal and anti-doping issues resolved, the focus is entirely on the fighters' ability to adapt . Eubank Jr. is relying on the experience of his new-old trainer, Brian McIntyre, to refine his technique and make the fight easier than the first . Benn, meanwhile, must prove that he can temper his emotional aggression with the discipline required to sustain a high-output attack over twelve rounds at a weight class above his natural limit . The outcome will not only determine the immediate future of both men’s careers but will also write the final, definitive chapter in one of British boxing’s most enduring and commercially powerful family sagas .

References

  1. Benn vs Eubank Jr II – Rematch set for 15 November 2025

    Used to confirm the official date (15 November 2025), venue (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), weight class (160 lbs with rehydration clause), and promotional details for the rematch.

  2. Fight Week: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2, UFC 322 and more on schedule

    Used to confirm the date, venue, and the result of the first fight (Eubank Jr. unanimous decision) and the scheduled 12 rounds for the rematch.

  3. Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn II Set For Sept. 20 In London, Reveals Turki Alalshikh

    Used to confirm the middleweight limit of 160 pounds and the 10-pound rehydration clause for the rematch.

  4. Eubank Jr vs Benn II - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets

    Used to confirm the 12-round middleweight division for the rematch and the date of the first fight (April 26, 2025).

  5. New Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch date announced after cancellation fears

    Used to confirm the initial 2022 cancellation due to Benn's failed drug test and the fact that Benn was a welterweight moving up in weight.

  6. Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn II: How to watch, date, start time, undercard, PPV price, prediction

    Used for the odds (Eubank Jr. favourite), the analysis that Benn faded late, and the context of both fighters seeking world title shots.

  7. Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn - Wikipedia

    Used for the first fight's date (26 April 2025), the unanimous decision scores (116-112 x3), the initial 2022 cancellation date (8 October 2022), and the catchweight of 157 lbs for the cancelled bout.

  8. Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2: Key dates, ring walk and fight times, undercard, tale of the tape, fight purse, officials, ring announcer & how to watch.

    Used to confirm the 160lbs weight for the rematch and the fact that Benn is coming up two weight classes from welterweight.

  9. Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn II Full Card Confirmed — 6 Fights In Total

    Used to confirm the promotional entities (SELA, Ring Magazine, Riyadh Season, Matchroom, Boxxer) for the rematch.

  10. Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – Johnny Fisher weighs in

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  11. Leaked Audio Shows What Chris Eubank Jr Told Conor Benn While Beating Him Up

    Used for the CompuBox stats (Eubank Jr. out-threw/out-landed Benn) and the reported taunts Eubank Jr. made during the fight.

  12. 'I Knocked Out Chris Eubank Jr - Here's My Prediction For Conor Benn Rematch'

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  13. Chris Eubank Jr hires Terence Crawford's trainer again, heads to Dubai for training camp

    Used to confirm Eubank Jr.'s reunion with Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre, the training camp location (Dubai), and Eubank Jr.'s 1-0 record in rematches.

  14. Chris Eubank Jr Looks UNSTOPPABLE Training With BoMac for Conor Benn Rematch!

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  15. Eubank's trainer: Small changes will make big difference in rematch with Benn

    Used for BoMac's quote about 'fine-tuning' Eubank Jr. and fixing mistakes from the first fight.

  16. Conor Benn free to fight in UK again after being cleared of doping offences

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  17. Nigel Benn reveals the origin of his hatred toward Chris Eubank Sr in the 90s

    Used for the dates and results of the fathers' fights (18 Nov 1990, 9 Oct 1993 draw), the venue (NEC, Old Trafford), and the detail about the entrance music sabotage.

  18. Boxer Conor Benn Clears His Name After Failed Clomifene Drug Test

    Used for the detail that the WBC cleared Benn due to 'highly-elevated consumption of eggs' as a 'reasonable explanation'.

  19. Fire And Ice: The Epic Rivalry Between Chris Eubank Sr. And Nigel Benn

    Used for the character contrast between Nigel Benn ('raw aggression') and Chris Eubank Sr. ('calculated confidence') and the cultural impact of the rivalry.

  20. Who is Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre? Meet Chris Eubank Jr's Trainer Ahead of Conor Benn Rematch

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  21. British boxer Benn cleared of doping offenses

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  22. Conor Benn cleared over failed drugs test by World Boxing Council due to 'highly elevated consumption of eggs'

    Used to confirm the WBC's ruling on the egg consumption and the VADA testing.

  23. Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank - Wikipedia

    Used for the fathers' nicknames ('Dark Destroyer,' 'Simply the Best') and the TKO result of the first fight.

  24. Eubank Jr vs Benn: Tactical Changes Key for Benn's Revenge

    Used for George Groves' prediction and the analysis that Benn needs to make 'big tactical adjustments' and cannot fight identically to the first time.

  25. Conor Benn reveals the changes he's made for Chris Eubank Jr. rematch

    Used for Conor Benn's quote about a 'lack of discipline' and his promise to be 'more disciplined, more calculated' for the rematch.

  26. Benn's Power Faces Reality In His Eubank Jr. Rematch

    Used for the analysis that Benn is a 'potshot-type fighter' who needs to adapt from his 'single-shot rifle shooting style' to match Eubank Jr.'s output.

  27. Conor Benn Is a BEAST – Training Like a SAVAGE for Eubank Rematch!

    Used to confirm Benn's focus on tightening his combinations and improving his ring IQ for the rematch.

  28. Eubank vs. Benn - Boxing Stats Data API

    Used for the attendance figure of the fathers' second fight (42,000) and the cultural significance of the rivalry.

  29. 'I detest him, but I respect him': How Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank's fierce rivalry changed British boxing | The Independent

    Used for the cultural impact of the fathers' rivalry, describing it as moving boxing from 'black and white tradition to a world of colour and incident'.