Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn square off next weekend nearly 30 years after their legendary fathers blessed Britain with one of its greatest-ever rivalries.
The pair have been thrust into the spotlight from the moment they stepped foot in the pro ranks but few anticipated they would ever share the ring, certainly not at this stage, typically campaigning two weight classes apart.
They have agreed to a catchweight of 157lbs for the bout, however, with Benn, usually a welterweight, adding 10lbs to his frame, while middleweight Eubank Jr will clock in at the lowest weight since his teenage years.
Chris Eubank Jr (left) and Conor Benn (right) go head-to-head next weekend at the O2 Arena
The pair will follow in the footsteps of their famous fathers Chris Eubank Sr (L) and Nigel Benn (R) who fought twice in 1990 and 1993
It was Eubank Sr who emerged victorious in their first bout in 1990, claiming a ninth-round stoppage win, before their 1993 rematch ended as a split-decision draw.
Despite suffering two defeats from 34 fights, Eubank Jr is expected by many to be too big and too experienced for a 26-year-old Benn. ‘The Destroyer’ has significantly improved in the last two years, however, with his record now standing at 21-0.
Eubank Jr has looked much-improved since partnering with Roy Jones Jr, but the enigmatic middleweight recently revealed he has trained himself for the bout. The 33-year-old also insists he will only be at 60 per cent for the fight, such are the demands of his weight-cut.
With the bout now swiftly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know.
When is Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn?
The clash between Eubank Jr and Benn is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 8 at the O2 Arena.
The pair are expected to walk to the ring at around 10pm for those in the UK, though that will of course depend on results beforehand.
There is also action in abundance on the undercard, with the likes of Ellie Scotney, Galal Yafai and Harlem Eubank on the bill.
How to watch the fight
The fight, which will be a 12-round contest, will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV.
It will be available to stream in over 200 countries across the globe via the DAZN app, either on television, console, mobile, tablet or computer device.
However, the fight will come at a price, being a pay-per-view event for those in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
The fight will cost £19.99 to watch, in addition to the £7.99 monthly subscription.
Sportsmail will also be covering the fight live, so you can keep up-to-date with us.
Eubank Jr vs Benn: The key stats
Chris Eubank Jr
Age: 33
Height: 5ft 11in
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 32-2-0
Knockouts: 23
Rounds: 213
Debut: 2012
Conor Benn
Age: 26
Height: 5ft 8in
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 21-0-0
Knockouts: 14
Rounds: 84
Debut: 2016
Eubank Jr put in an impressive showing as he brushed aside Liam Williams in February
Benn also showed yet more improvement as he stopped the experienced Chris van Heerden
Fight card in full
- Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
- Mary Romero vs Ellie Scotney
- Galal Yafai vs Gohan Rodriguez
- Harlem Eubank vs David Martin
- Lyndon Arthur vs TBA
- Felix Cash vs Connor Coyle
- Matty Harris vs Chris Healey
- Shannon Courtenay vs Gemma Ruegg
- Chloe Watson vs Nancy Franco
What’s been said?
Eubank Jr has been typically brash throughout the build-up to the fight, repeatedly taking to social media to show himself eating junk food despite insisting the weight-cut will leave him significantly impaired.
The Briton has also insisted his typical eight-week sex ban will be reduced to two weeks for Benn, stating he doesn’t have to take the fight seriously.
And speaking at their launch press conference in August, when Eubank Jr insisted he will only be at 60 per cent for the fight, he stated the pressure is all on him.
‘For him [Benn] it’s a win-win,’ Eubank Jr said. ‘For me, if I lose to Conor Benn on October 8, I’m finished. My goal is to fight for a world title in the next year. I can’t lose to Conor Benn and then fight for a middleweight world title. It can’t happen.
‘And if I win, I most likely won’t get the credit for it. All the pressure is actually on me in this fight. I’ve got a lot more to lose.’
Eubank Jr has stated he will only be at 60 per cent for the fight, while Benn insists his opponent is making excuses
Benn, meanwhile, has maintained his professionalism throughout, insisting he’s not interested in what Eubank Jr has to say.
‘I could not care less,’ he said. ‘If he thinks he can beat me at 60 per cent that’s his problem.
‘I’m going to prepare for him like anyone else, and if I see any slight opening I’ll take him out.’
He continued: ‘What happens if I beat you? You keep thinking about excuses. You’ve not heard me come up with one excuse.
‘I’m taking a gamble; I couldn’t give a rats a**e. I think I can beat you, and I will beat you.’
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