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I saw Chris Eubank Jr. defeat Conor Benn - here's why a rematch should not happen
As a sports writer who spends their life tracking names, numbers and stories across locations far and wide, I've been lucky to see some pretty remarkable feats in my time.
But few quite matched the energy of a Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd brought to its feet in the final round of Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn's grudge match battle.
The bout that came before effectively played out as a tale of two halves - the younger upstart threatening to make good on his promise before the veteran regained control.
Yet in that last three minutes, as both slipped and slumped against each other, looking to find a finishing blow that never came, it was sporting theatre of the highest order.
For all the naysayers that felt this was a legacy bout inflated to preposterous levels, Eubank Jr. and Benn proved they can deliver boxing entertainment with the best of them.
And that is why, despite a clause that practically begs to be invoked and executed for a second dance, neither man should agree to a blockbuster rematch after this first fight.
DAZNAfter such a feast of fighting fevour, many will be chomping at the bit to have a sophomore outing between these two, born rivals turned legeitimate foes with scores to settle.
However, with two men arguably at opposite ends of their career and a host of factors to consider, here is why Eubank Jr. and Benn should spurn another dust-up together.
Carry that weight
To paraphrase the Beatles, it was the topic on everybody's lips after Friday saw Eubank Jr. fail to make the weight cut at the first time of asking for a middleweight clash.
The star has fought plenty of times before at the level, but the restriction to his subsequent rehydration meant that he cut it too fine in his attempts to max out to the limit.
In the ultimate event, he proved up to the challenge - and so did Benn, who had to jump two divisions from his natural welterweight to meet in the middle with his rival.
Chris Eubank Sr. - who unexpectedly rocked up to support his son after a long estrangement on the night - had it right when he raised his concerns over the difference.
I feel I must concur too. As entertaining as their bout was in north London, both Eubank Jr. and Benn will be better served at super-middleweight and welterweight again.
Bigger fish to fry
If a rematch plays out next - and already, Benn has spoken of it as a potential preferred option - then it eats up another portion of both men's careers with no prizes at stake.
Both fighters are well-regarded at their optimal weight class, and have been touted for potential title shots over the past few months once this encounter was in the can.
Eubank Jr. has talked plenty of times about setting up a dream dance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez - and the WBC have suggested the Briton could get a title shot after victory.
Benn meanwhile has also got his sights back in the welterweight division at a potential title bid too, with WBC champion Mario Barrios pegged as a likely target for him.
Even with this loss, there is no shame for the latter in his return to challenge there - and with his stock arguably at the highest point of his career, he's primed for it too.
The romance is dead
They say you should never go back to an old love - and while there is certainly no love lost between the two men, I feel it is an idiom that can still be applied to their case.
Eubank Jr. and Benn have spent the best part of three years, since this fight was first made for October 2022, fending off questions about the other and their relationship.
But now, with a fight between them secured as one for the history books, there's an argument to be said that they will likely never top it again between them if they go again.
Saturday's blockbuster defied the odds and expectations to deliver top-drawer entertainment that went the distance. What are the chances that lightning can strike twice?
With plenty of other options on their plate, and even with the lure of a likely even bigger payday, both Eubank Jr. and Benn should draw a line in the sand and move on from here.
More Eubank Jr. vs Benn coverage
- Chris Eubank Jr reunites with father Chris Eubank Sr ahead of Conor Benn grudge match
- Anthony Yarde claims trilogy bout triumph over Lyndon Arthur in bruising encounter
- Aaron McKenna dominates Liam Smith to anoint credentials as middleweight future
- Viddal Riley outpoints Cheavon Clarke in slippery contest to claim British cruiserweight title
- Chris Billam-Smith gets two-time world title dream back on track with Brandon Glanton victory
