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Why do Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn hate each other? A timeline of the pair's feud before blockbuster rematch
Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn return to the site of their titanic first tussle this week for a rematch-of-the-year contender at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The pair brought their long-simmering rivalry to the boil in a modern British classic this past April , with the former victorious by a narrow unanimous decision after a dozen rounds.
Plans for a second dance were pushed back from an original September date, but now, with just days before they step back into the ring, both men are chasing a place in history.
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Yet this rivalry, originally built as a legacy encounter on the names of their fathers Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, has emerged as its own beast across the past three years.
Here, DAZN News takes you through the timeline of a generational feud, filled with flashpoints and action as its stars prepare to settle the score once and for all in north London.
August 2022: Born rivals announced for blockbuster bout
After rumours circulated across the summer, both men were announced to meet in October at London's The O2 Arena almost thirty years after their fathers last fought a bout.
Benn promised to "settle family business" after his dad was held to a controversial draw in 1993 , while Eubank Jr. admitted his world title chances were over if he lost this clash.
GettyImages
Already, the fiery interplay that would come to define their relationship outside of the ring was on show as they set out the stall for a 157lb contest - but trouble laid just ahead.
October 2022: Adverse finding leaves plans in tatters
Just days before the October 8 fight night, Benn was prohibited from fighting after he returned an adverse finding result from the British Boxing Board of Control before the bout.
Despite claims from promoters Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing that the bout would still take place, it was ultimately cancelled only a matter of hours before doors.
Benn denied all wrongdoing, but the late drama only served to infuriate Eubank Jr., who posted on social media that he had "escaped his schooling [...] for now."
February 2023: Eubank stunned in knockout loss
Seeking a subsequent bout to fill the fight, Eubank Jr. set a dance with Liam Smith at Manchester Arena the following February, and entered as favourite to take the victory.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Instead, not only did he suffer only a third career loss, but he also fell to his first defeat by knockout too, as the former WBO light-middleweight champion stopped him in his tracks.
At the same time, Benn was cleared by the WBC of any intentional wrongdoing, who suggested "excessive consumption of eggs" as the reason for his original adverse findings.
July 2023: Suspension lifted to free Benn for action
Having been charged and suspended for the alleged use of a prohibited substance by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD), Benn scored a victory on the road to clear his name.
The National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) ruled that his suspension should be lifted, and cleared the way for him to enter the fray again, at least for the moment.
Appeals from both UKAD and the BBBofC would see his provisional ban reimposed the following May however, in another setback to settling his score with Eubank.
September 2023: Revenge mission served and return to the ring
Back in the ring against Smith once more, a hungrier Eubank entered determined to avenge his unexpected loss - and did so, with a tenth-round knockout to claim his revenge.
In the aftermath, the star called out Benn to rearrange their bout as he gave his post-fight interview, stating to a crowd in Manchester: "I'm coming for you, Connor."
Benn himself ended a lengthy wait to return to the ring the same month, taking a unanimous decision victory over Rodolfo Orozco across the Atlantic OCean in Orlando, Florida.
February 2024: Benn extends unbeaten record amid rumours
Three months before he was barred again amid the ongoing war to clear his name, Benn returned to America for a bout with Peter Dobson in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ed Mulholland/Matchroom)
Once again, he took victory by unanimous decision, though it saw the star taken a dozen rounds for the first time in his professional career as he fought his way to victory.
Almost a year-and-a-half after their scotched bout, Benn suggested that Eubank was in fact dodging the fight, calling him "a p—y" and urging him to "sign the contract".
October 2024: Face-off at fight week in Riyadh
Suspended again after UKAD and the BBBofC appealed, Benn was on his way to clearing his reputation yet again when he popped up in the crowd for Eubank's next fight.
The latter defeated Kamil Szeremeta on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol's bout, but two flashpoints further highlighted his bitter bond with his would-be foe.
The pair were involved in a physical altercation after an encounter before the fight, while Benn also stormed the ring following the fight to challenge him once again to a bout.
November 2024: Final clearance sets stage for business
At the start of November, as talk of a bout between the duo continued to intensify after their encounter in Riyadh, Benn saw the final two chapters of his suspension saga play out.
Firstly, an independent panel lifted his suspension once again after it ruled they were "not completely satisfied" he had violated the sport's anti-doping rules after adverse findings.
Then, at the end of the month, UKAD and the BBBofC decided against any further appeal, effectively drawing a two-year saga to a close and paving the way for a full return again.
January 2025: Green light go for stadium showdown
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder - and with demand through the roof to see both men finally settle their differences, a blockbuster was announced in the new year.
Brokered by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Eubank Jr and Benn agreed terms for a middleweight bout to be held at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, April 26.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Even then, the deal was not without controversy - the contest would require the latter to move up two divisions, while the former was subjected to a rehydration clause.
February 2025: Scrambled on stage as egg slap hits hard
There was an expectation that there would be fireworks when the two men met in the ring - but it only took the launch press conference for their bout for everything to boil over.
Amid a media event where Benn was kept waiting by a late Eubank, the two traded furious barbs before a face-off that turned into a multi-person brawl on stage in Manchester.
Eubank slapped Benn with an egg - in reference to the WBC ruling almost two years prior - and both men had to be kept firmly apart after an encounter in a lift a few days later.
April 2025: Eubank Jr. prevails in date with destiny
It seemed almost surreal to finally reach the pair's bout on fight week - and there was still more sporting drama to come, as Eubank Jr. reunited with his estranged father.
The pair shared a now-iconic ringwalk ahead of the star's bruising encounter with Benn - a modern British classic that went the distance and the former a unanimous decision.
It marked vindication for Eubank Jr., who subsequently was rushed to hospital for severe dehydration after a punishing weight cut - but the reward was surely worth his pain.
June 2025: Second dance set until roadblocks hit
With such a strong reception to their first bout, it seemed powerbrokers would not let either man go without a rematch - and so it proved to be, just two months after their first fight.
Eubank Jr. and Benn agreed to a provisional September date for a second dance, with eyes on Wembley Stadium for an even bigger crowd - but there would be roadblocks.
The former pulled out of the original date, forcing a frantic reshuffle to November and a return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving the latter irate at wasted months.
September 2025: Explosive claims aired as grudging respect shows through
There may have been no eggs at hand, and there might have been some grudging respect, but the major press conference for the rematch descended into typical farce again.
Eubank Jr. made a series of explosive claims against the British Boxing Board of Control and Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn, with allegations of underhand tactics and foul play.
Both fighters were ultimately more measured, and shook hands at the end of their DAZN Face Off, but it remained clear enough bad blood still bubbled away for the extra spice.
November 2025: Do-or-die for future title hopes as rematch arrives
Now, with just a few days left before the pair return to the ring, there's no shortage of questions for fans and pundits over just what will unfold - and what comes next for both men.
Benn has made no secret of a desire to return to welterweight for a title challenge, but he must close the gap on his more experienced opponent here to surely burnish his chance.
Eubank Jr. meanwhile could face serious questions over his future if he fails to close out the duology on a winning note, with retirement one potential option mooted by his critics.
Either way, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night, it promises to be another fight to remember - and you can be sure both men will leave nothing in the ring once more.
Watch Eubank Jr. vs Benn 2 only on DAZN
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn's much anticipated rematch is live and exclusive on DAZN PPV on Saturday, November 15. Buy for £24.99 UK / $59.99 US.
