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Road to Tottenham: How did Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn settle mega-fight deal?
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will finally settle their differences in the ring this week, more than two-and-a-half years after they were first set to battle between the ropes.
The pair meet in a major middleweight encounter at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, headlining The Ring's Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves on Saturday, April 26.
The grudge match of the decade so far sees two fighters keen to carve out their own lineage beyond the shadow of their fathers - and a piece of each other in the process too.
This long-simmering rivalry, born initially from that of Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, has twisted into something altogether more personal though since October 2022.
Then, the pair's original fight, scheduled for The O2 Arena, was pulled at short notice after Benn returned an adverse drugs test finding, further stirring the pot between them.
Ahead of fight night in north London, DAZN News takes a look at the Road to Tottenham for both men - and just how the intervening years have brought their destinies here.
A rumble in Riyadh
This past October, two years on from their original date to dance, both Eubank Jr and Benn found themselves in very different places - but still set on a trajectory to inevitably collide.
The former was back in the ring for the first time in over a year as part of a stacked Riyadh Season card - his first - against Kamil Szeremeta, looking to secure himself a victory.
The latter was battling a second suspension from UKAD and the BBBofC, after it had been reinstated in May following appeals against a NADP ruling made the previous year.
Nevertheless, Benn was in Saudi Arabia with what appeared to be only one thing on his mind - and that was goading his rival as clamour grew for them to finally make good.
The pair clashed in a physical altercation a few days before Eubank recorded a seventh-round stoppage against Szeremeta, and then in the ring afterwards following his win.
On both occasions, the pair had to be kept apart, further building the enmity between them and intensifying speculation that they could finally be set to fight in the near future.
A month later, Benn saw his suspension overturned once again by the NADP, and after UKAD and the BBBofC elected to not pusue another appeal, he was free to face his foe.
Deal-making maestro secures blockbuster
Hurdles remained to any fight however, namely over weight, purse and various clauses inserted into the contract - and any eye-to-eye approach seemed tough to fathom.
A dramatic shift in the boxing landscape however ensured that this time, a new key dealmaker could be at the table - Riyadh Season supremo His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.
Reportedly, by dealing individually with the fighters, the latter was able to agree purse fees without revealing the split between the pair, though promoters claimed otherwise.
BOXXER boss Ben Shalom suggested Eubank Jr had the A-deal, while the latter would later hit out at Eddie Hearn over claims Benn had picked up the bigger payday.
Either way, with money settled, weight followed soon after, with the agreement to hold at Eubank Jr.'s natural middleweight, rather than the 157-pound catchweight in 2022.
With Benn being required to vault two divisions, a rehydration clause was also inserted, to the consistent irritation of his rival, further sparking a war of words over social media.
But by January 15, the fight was secured, with confirmation coming a few weeks later that it would headline a first event for The Ring since His Excellency's purchase of the brand.
Egg-cellent entertainment promised
With the ink dry, formalities turned towards the main event itself - and after almost two-and-a-half years of corrosive bitterness, it was never going to be a quiet affair for the pair.
With Benn flanked by his father Nigel, and Eubank Jr conspicuously unsupported by his dad Chris Sr, with their rift still palpable, the pair met for media duties in Manchester.
The day at the Manchester Central Convention Complex was intended to be part of several press events in the build-up to the big fight week itself, but one man had other plans.
After keeping everyone waiting with a late show, Eubank Jr proceeded to talk over opposition promoter Hearn at the press conference, as Benn bristled opposite him too.
Then, the flashpoint - at a face-to-face, the former slapped the latter with a raw egg, sparking a fracas as both men and their entourages had to be kept apart by security.
The story dominated headlines around the globe, and a few days later at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the pair were kept comfortably apart as they completed their other duties.
That has now laid the table for this weekend's modern-day blockbuster - and with thousands of fans set to descend upon north London, it promises to be one for the ages.
Watch three incredible fight nights in one week only on DAZN
Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and DAZN PPV is the only place to watch them all.
- April 26: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
- May 2: Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
- May 3: Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull
Arch rivals Eubank Jr and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £19.95 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.
Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN. Fight fans can purchase either fight individually for $59.99 US; £/€21.99 UK/IRE; ROW - $24.99 per PPV or take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle where both fights can be purchased for $90 US; £34.99 in the UK and €34.99 in Europe.
