In today’s world, genuine hatred is rare in combat sports. But that will not be a problem for this Saturday’s big boxing fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, because one of the oldest rivalries in the sport is being renewed.
After a long feud, Chris Eubank Jr will finally fight Conor Benn in a 12-round middleweight bout on April 26. They were initially slated to fight in October 2022, but it was cancelled after Benn was suspended. This fight has a weight limit of 160 pounds, but Eubank Jr failed to make the limit, weighing in at 160.2 and 160.05 pounds. Eubank was fined $500,000 for missing the limit. This fight has a rehydration clause, and each fighter will be required to weigh in at 170 pounds or less on the day of the fight.
Even after missing weight on Friday, Eubank Jr is still the favorite in this bout at -185 on DraftKings Sportsbook. Benn is a close underdog at +150. The over/under in total rounds is set for 8.5, which is -115. Eubank Jr is +135 to win by KO.TKO/DQ while the bout is -215 not to go the distance.
This rivalry started a long time ago when Nigel Benn, Conor’s father, fought Chris Eubank in November 1990. Eubank knocked out Benn in the ninth round to win the WBO Middleweight Championship. Three years later, in 1990, Eubank and Benn had a rematch, but this time it ended in a split decision draw. Saturday night, Nigel will be in Conor’s corner, but the same won’t be true for team Eubank. Eubank Sr hasn’t been in his son’s corner for a fight since 2019 after they had a falling out.
This is one of the biggest and most significant fights in British boxing history. Eubank Jr vs. Benn sold out in minutes when tickets went on sale to the public. This is the third boxing event being held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The last boxing match at this venue was between Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora in December 2022.
Eubank is 34-3 in his career but has won his last two bouts by knockout. Although this is a non-title bout, Eubank is the IBO Middleweight Champion. Benn is 23-0 with 14 knockouts in his career. This is the heaviest that Benn has ever fought at, as his previous two fights were at 150 and 154 pounds. Even though Eubank Jr is being drained and depleted in this contest, he is still the bigger fighter. Eubank is three inches taller (5’11” vs. 5’8″) while having a four-and-a-half inch edge in reach (72.5″ vs. 68″).
Top Light Heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde will look to increase his win streak to four when he faces Lyndon Arthur on Saturday. Arthur is 24-2 while having 16 knockouts. This is the trilogy fight between Yarde and Arthur. Arthur won the first bout in 2020, with Yarde winning the latest fight by knockout in 2021. Yarde is a massive -800 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Liam Smith, who is 1-1 against Eubank Jr, is fighting undefeated middleweight contender Aaron McKenna, who is 19-0. McKenna is a -195 favorite over the former WBO Super Welterweight Champion. Smith hasn’t won a fight since January 2023, when he beat Eubank Jr.
One of the best cruiserweights in the world, Chris Billam-Smith, is attempting to get back in the win column when he fights Brandon Glanton, who is 20-2 with 17 knockouts. Billam-Smith’s last loss was to WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto Ramirez. This bout is even, as both fighters are -110 to win.
The main card begins on DAZN PPV at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, with the Main Event ringwalks scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Full Card
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn
Middleweight Bout
Anthony Yarde vs. Lyndon Arthur
Light Heavyweight Bout
Liam Smith vs. Aaron McKenna
Middleweight Bout
Viddal Riley vs. Cheavon Clarke
Cruiserweight Bout
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Brandon Glanton
Cruiserweight Bout
