Here we go again. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is about to fill once more with boxing fans ready to cheer on the sons of two British legends, who have reignited their fathers’ famous rivalry. We’re talking, of course, about Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, who will face each other for the second time this Saturday after their thrilling and dramatic war on April 26 of this year. The show, promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, will be broadcast on DAZN PPV.
What did the first fight tell us?
Chris Eubank Jr is a fighter in decline
Whether due to the wear and tear of a long career, his not-so-young age, or the extreme sacrifices he continues to make to make weight, Chris Eubank Jr’s latest performance showed a noticeable drop in sharpness compared to his best days.
Once known for his explosive athleticism, Eubank now looked stiff, awkward, and slow in his movements, relying heavily on his jab to score since his power shots rarely landed at the right moment.
Conor Benn can’t afford to slow down
When a fighter is physically smaller and lacks the technical tools to offset that disadvantage, the only way to compete is by maintaining a relentless pace, hoping the gas tank lasts. Conor Benn found himself exactly in that position seven months ago.
Kept at bay by Eubank’s jab and visibly undersized, Benn only managed to get the upper hand in the moments when he went full throttle—attacking non-stop, moving frenetically in every direction, and constantly changing angles. It was an exhausting effort that took its toll in the championship rounds, which Eubank swept unanimously on the scorecards.
What will happen? Boxe Punch’s prediction!
When trying to predict the dynamics of a rematch, one must ask what each boxer could change tactically compared to the first fight.
Personally, I don’t think Eubank Jr has much room for improvement or alternative strategies to explore. His best bet is to stick to what worked last time. The difficulties he faced in April came from a lack of reactivity and speed—deficiencies that are hard, if not impossible, to fix.
His choice to rely heavily on his left jab, managing his energy carefully and turning it up late, proved wise and effective. There’s no reason to alter a game plan that brought him success.
Benn, on the other hand, having lost the first encounter, will need to adjust. One likely area his team has focused on is head and upper-body movement, to avoid being repeatedly tagged by Eubank’s jab.
Another possible strategy could be to initiate more clinches instead of always fighting at mid-range. That might seem counterintuitive given Eubank’s size advantage, but Benn may actually spend less energy there than he did constantly trying, often clumsily, to slip countershots.
Although the three judges gave Eubank a four-point margin last time, I scored the fight closer—just two points apart, with Eubank winning seven rounds to five. I therefore expect another tight, evenly matched rematch with no clear favorite.
Based on everything we’ve seen, Benn seems the more likely of the two to bring something new to the ring, correcting some of the mistakes from April. That might not be enough for a clear-cut victory, but considering that Eddie Hearn is the “host” of the event, I have a feeling that if it goes the distance, the razor-thin verdict could tilt slightly in favor of “The Destroyer.”
Prediction: Conor Benn by Split Decision, followed by heated debates among fans and pundits over the legitimacy of the result.