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Eubank Jr vs Benn: Is the vicious grudge battle the biggest fight of 2025?
Eubank Jr versus Benn, as it is at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night, will be an occasion to increase the heartbeat. The enmity between both men has been clear to see in the build-up and that will reach a crescendo when they finally square off this weekend.
It has the makings of a potential classic, as was the case when their fathers – Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn – fought two iconic battles in 1990 and 1993 . Those memories merely add to the drama and excitement ahead of one of the biggest fights of 2025. It is certainly dripping with sub-plots, but this year has already seen some huge showdowns in the ring.
Jai Opetaia v David Nyika
Opetaia made a successful defence of his IBF cruiserweight title against Nyika in Australia in early January. The world champion registered a brutal fourth-round knockout win over Nyika in arguably the biggest fight in trans-Tasman history.
Promoter Eddie Hearn suggested afterwards that Opetaia could move up to heavyweight to face world champion Oleksandr Usyk within 18 months. “We have to chase for greatness,” said Hearn.
“I believe he is the only person who can genuinely give Oleksandr a fight.”
Dmitry Bivol v Artur Beterbiev
In February, Bivol’s masterclass saw him gain revenge over Russian compatriot Beterbiev and win the undisputed light-heavyweight world title in Saudi Arabia. Bivol’s smart footwork and powerful punching saw him triumph in Riyadh in a deserved majority decision points win.
Beterbiev, 40, landed power punches in the early to middle rounds but gradually tired as Bivol reversed last October’s points loss to his rival. With scores of 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113, Bivol claimed the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF titles.
Jack Catterall v Arnold Barboza Jr
Also in February, British light-welterweight's Catterall suffered an agonising split-decision points defeat by Barboza Jr in Manchester. Unbeaten American Barboza edged a tight contest to win the WBO 'interim' belt, with several rounds difficult to score and neither man stamping their authority at the Co-op Live Arena.
Lancastrian Catterall, 31, was at times outworking and outmanoeuvring his 33-year-old opponent, landing smart counter punches, but Barboza ended the rounds strongly, with crisp and well-timed power shots. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 to Barboza, while the third had the same outcome for the home favourite.
Claressa Shields v Danielle Perkins
Shields became the first undisputed world champion in three weight classes in the four-belt era by beating Danielle Perkins for the women's heavyweight title in Michigan. The 30-year-old won by unanimous decision, dominating fellow American Perkins and knocking her down with a powerful right hand with seconds left in the 10th and final round.
Shields has also been undisputed world champion at middleweight and light-middleweight. “It feels unbelievable,” said Shields, who improved her record to 16-0. “I feel so happy. And shout out to my opponent, Danielle Perkins. Man, that girl was strong as hell.”
What is to come and can anything top Eubank Jr-Benn?
In May, Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood will clash in a super-featherweight bout at the Nottingham Arena on May 10th. Two-time WBA featherweight champion Wood has not fought since he stopped Josh Warrington in dramatic fashion back in October 2023.
Meanwhile, Deontay Wilder will return to the ring against Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas on June 27. The former WBC heavyweight champion has not fought since a knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang last June, but a win over Herndon could propel him back into contention for another big-name bout.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk are in talks to fight at Wembley Stadium on 12 July. The rival heavyweight champions hold all four major world titles between them, with Dubois the IBF champion and Usyk the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC belt holder.
Usyk, 38, is undefeated in 23 fights and has a win over Dubois, stopping him in August 2023. Their rematch would be for the undisputed heavyweight title as well as offer 27-year-old Dubois the chance of revenge.
But this weekend’s eagerly-anticipated clash between Eubank Jr and Benn could take some topping. The tussles between Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, in Birmingham and Manchester respectively, over 30 years ago remain the stuff of boxing legend.
As their sons prepare to clash in the ring for the first time, the intrigue surrounding the fight is understandably huge.
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 .
