How their early days formed Eubank and Benn

There was always going to be interest in the boxing offspring of former world champions Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr, with Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr slated for big things ahead of their professional debuts.

No two boxers’ route to the top is the same – but Eubank Jr and Benn share more in common than just their famous surnames.

While the spotlight has long followed the Eubank and Benn names, both sons took an unusual path in their early careers – choosing to begin their boxing education overseas, far from British rings and media scrutiny.

Following the all-out war won by Eubank Jr back in April, the two are already making preparations for their rematch later this year. Whilst a venue has yet to have been confirmed, Benn and Eubank Jr will resume family hostilities on September 20th.

Chris Eubank Jr’s move to America to escape the pressure of a famous name

Born in Hove, East Sussex, Eubank Jr made the deliberate decision to begin his amateur career in the United States – keen to develop away from the legacy and attention that surrounded his father.

Alongside his younger brother Sebastian, Eubank Jr moved to Las Vegas in his late teens, immersing himself in the fight culture of the city. He trained in some of the sport’s most storied gyms, including Top Rank and the Mayweather Boxing Club, where he honed his style out of the spotlight.

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The decision paid off. Eubank Jr claimed the Nevada State Golden Gloves title in just his sixth amateur bout. By his eighth, he had captured the Golden Gloves title for the entire western United States, qualifying for the national tournament in 2008.

He returned to the UK to cap off his amateur run, winning the prestigious Haringey Box Cup at Alexandra Palace in 2011. Later that year, he made his professional debut.

Conor Benn’s Aussie amateur start

While born in London, Conor Benn spent much of his childhood in Majorca, Spain – where he’s also chosen to prepare for his grudge match with Eubank Jr. But it was in Australia, after the Benn family relocated again, that his boxing career took off.

Benn began boxing for fitness as a teenager in Sydney, but quickly progressed into the amateur ranks. Training out of Vinegar Hill Boxing Club in Blacktown under coach Rod Williams – who famously guided Lucas Browne to become Australia’s first heavyweight world champion – Benn compiled a record of 20 wins from 22 amateur bouts.

With the dream of going pro in sight, Benn returned to the UK to pursue the next step. After a brief stint training under Ricky Hatton in Manchester, he linked up with Tony Sims in Essex – a partnership that remains intact and yielded 23 consecutive professional wins.

That streak ended in April when Chris Eubank Jr inflicted upon Benn the first loss of his pro career.