Boxing’s Family Feud

Boxing icon Chris Eubank Sr has commended his son, Chris Eubank Jr, for successfully navigating the often-turbulent world of professional boxing — despite his recent headline-grabbing antics involving rival Conor Benn.

On 26 April, the sons of two legendary fighters, Eubank Jr and Benn, will finally face off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, three decades after their fathers’ storied battles. The original Eubank-Benn rivalry captivated British boxing, with Eubank Sr securing victory in 1990 and a dramatic draw following in 1993.

While their fathers’ clashes were built on fierce competition, the next generation’s feud has been defined by controversy. Last month, Eubank Jr made waves by slapping Benn in the face with an egg — a cheeky reference to Benn’s failed drug tests in 2022. The World Boxing Council (WBC) had suggested the banned substances in Benn’s system may have resulted from excessive egg consumption, a claim that became a focal point of the fighters’ ongoing war of words.

The incident led to a £100,000 fine for Eubank Jr, but his father remained philosophical about his son’s journey through the sport. Taking to social media on 12 March, Eubank Sr shared his thoughts, distancing himself from the stunt while still acknowledging his son’s resilience.

“If I would excuse Jr's misconduct because he is my son, then I wouldn't be fit to be the authority in boxing that I am!” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

In an accompanying video, Eubank Sr reflected on a candid conversation with his son about the changing face of boxing. He admitted struggling to relate to the sport’s modern landscape, recalling how Eubank Jr once told him: “Dad, people aren’t like you. What you’re about is not what boxing is about today.”

Their relationship, however, remains complicated. Eubank Jr recently opened up about a growing rift between them, citing personal and professional struggles, including the devastating loss of his younger brother, Sebastian, in 2021.

With the highly anticipated bout fast approaching, one lingering question remains: will Eubank Sr be in his son’s corner on fight night? While his attendance is uncertain, Eubank Jr remains focused on his task: settling the score with Benn and stepping further out of his father’s long shadow.