Articles by George Sessions

Sports

Conor Benn says rivalry is ‘done, finished, over’ after beating Chris Eubank Jr

Conor Benn snapped back at his critics and promised the family rivalry was over after he claimed redemption against an out-of-sorts Chris Eubank Jr with a masterful display. The sons of Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr had produced a classic encounter in April which went the way of the latter to ensure it was 2-0 after three historic bouts. A fourth and final instalment failed to match the drama of previous contests, but Benn produced a composed showing for the best performance of his career to win by unanimous decision after the judges scored the one-sided fight 119-107, 116-110 and 118-108. After Eubank Sr won the first 1990 bout in Birmingham, a contentious draw followed three years later which left Nigel Benn incensed. Yet, his son Conor Benn ended the 35-year-long wait for success in this rivalry after he produced two knockdowns in round 12 to cement his dominance before the feud closed with an embrace with adversary Eubank Jr. “Everyone saying I can’t box, put that in your pipe and smoke it,” an overjoyed Benn reflected. “It’s been some journey and this is the end of the Benn-Eubank saga. Done, finished, it’s over. I know Chris has twins coming and I’ve got my boy, but this ends here. “This wouldn’t have been what it was without Chris and our dads most of all. This is generational, this has never been done before in history. “Credit to Chris, man. That’s all I’ve got to say. Thank you for sharing the ring with me.” Eubank Jr was magnanimous after the fourth defeat of his career, which will only fuel the notion that the 36-year-old should retire. Benn looked the younger and fresher opponent throughout even though he made the jump up from welterweight to fight the naturally bigger man. A strong start by Benn – albeit after he lost the battle of the ring walks as 50 Cent stunned the crowd by joining Eubank Jr – was followed by more control in the middle rounds. A sensational combination and huge right hurt Eubank Jr in round seven and ended with Benn being able to goad his rival. When Eubank Jr spat out his gumshield early in round eight, it only provided brief respite and despite some whistles as both men tired during a flat round 10, Benn produced fireworks late on. Twice Eubank Jr was sent to the canvas, the first by a vicious right but it went to the judges scorecard and a stellar list of ringside A-listers, which included actors Jason Statham and Pierce Brosnan along with Thierry Henry, watched Benn explode with joy as revenge was finally served to the Eubank family. Eubank Jr immediately sought out his rival and hugged Benn. “I’ve been through hell and back to get to this night and you know, it is what it is. I tried my best and listen, the kid fought hard, he fought tough and he’s got power this kid,” Eubank Jr said. “Yeah, Conor Benn was the best man tonight so congratulations to him.” “It’s 1-1, I’ve got to go away and deal with some of the things I’ve been dealing with over the last couple of months and who knows. “Maybe we’ll see something new with me and him or maybe we won’t, but for right now, it’s all about this man, it’s his night.” The two boxers may not be or ever reach the level of their fathers, but after two sold-out shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium captured the imagination of the public three decades after their dads brutal battles, they have etched their name in British boxing history. Benn concluded: “Not bad for two silver-spoon kids eh!”

Sports

Chris Eubank Jr responds to retirement rumours ahead of Conor Benn rematch

Chris Eubank Jr quashed rumours of retirement ahead of his rematch with Conor Benn on Saturday. The boxer secured a unanimous decision victory in their previous bout back in April – a fight hailed as a classic in front of 67,484 spectators at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. And, ahead of this weekend’s fight, he firmly rejected suggestions that this could be his final time in the ring. Eubank Jr also spoke about his recent news where he revealed he will soon become a father to twin boys. The 36-year-old said: "It’s a blessing, a blessing and I’m very proud and I’m very excited for that next chapter of my life." “This is not the environment that I feel like talking (more) about things like this. Let’s stick to the boxing. “I am a fighter. This is my life, this is what I was born to do and I have heard people, even my father, say retirement is on the cards, I should sail off into the sunset. It is just not who I am. “As long as I have that fire in me to keep getting in the ring, keep getting in the gym, waking up early, I love the lifestyle. “I love who I am as a fighter and the way it makes me feel, so that’s all it is. Testing myself, giving the fans what they want to see and pushing myself as far as I can go. That’s the motivation.” Fight-week activities started on Monday when Benn teased rival Eubank Jr about making weight and about how many toenails he had during the pair’s first face-off. Eubank Jr’s April triumph came after a dramatic build-up, which resulted in him missing weight by 0.05lbs a day earlier and therefore being fined £375,000 as per the contract. That money went directly to Benn, who subsequently bought a Rolls-Royce, and yet the weight and controversial rehydration clause accepted by Eubank Jr was a bone of contention before the first fight. Eubank Sr was so incensed by the conditions his son had to follow he refused to be involved before a remarkable U-turn resulted in one of the images of the bout as the father and son arrived together to enormous noise at Tottenham. While victory for Eubank Jr made it 2-0 from the three battles between the families, Benn was eager to remind his rival that he did walk away with a prize as they gathered on top of a London skyscraper on Monday. “I’m slightly hoping you miss weight again, just a little bit. Just a pound. Just a little bit. That would be nice. Nice little gift from you last time,” Benn said on Monday. “I’m hoping you’re well recovered. Have you got 10 toes? Ten toenails?” Benn, a father himself, insisted there is no prospect of their own sons sharing the ring in the future. Speaking at The Pelligon in Canary Wharf, Benn insisted: “First off, this ends here. “The rivalry ends here. This is it. “The Benn-Eubank chapter is done. That’s it, it is finished.”