Deep in a gym in Vauxhall, South London, Chris Eubank Jr. is putting in the final preparations for a long-awaited fight with Conor Benn.
Unlike the glamorous settings of Las Vegas or the serene vibe of Brighton, where his father Chris Eubank Sr. still resides, this gym reflects the intensity of Eubank’s mindset: focused, determined, and stripped of distractions.
A Fighter’s Code: Eubank’s Stance on Cheating
For Eubank, boxing has lost its integrity. In his eyes, the sport has become a haven for cheats.
“If I enforced the laws I believe in, half the industry would be gone,” he states bluntly.
He’s not exaggerating. His belief is simple: cheaters in boxing should face lifelong bans.
“It’s outrageous,” he continues, “You get caught with performance-enhancing drugs, get a fine, a short ban, and then come back like nothing happened. That’s boxing as it stands.”
His black-and-white mentality—treating cheating with zero tolerance—is rooted in his upbringing.
Raised by a strict father, consequences were severe and unequivocal.
Eubank recalls, “If I stepped out of line, there was punishment—no grey areas.”
That strict discipline shaped his unyielding sense of right and wrong.
And it’s why he refuses to cheat.
“It’s not because I fear punishment,” he says.
“It’s because I know it’s not who I am.”
The Paradox: Facing a Fighter Who Cheated
It’s a curious contradiction.
Eubank, who advocates for lifetime bans for those who cheat, is preparing to fight Benn, who failed two drug tests in 2022.
“I know it doesn’t make sense to many people,” Eubank admits.
“They ask, ‘Why fight him?’ But the truth is, he’s going to fight anyway. If I win, I’ll have beaten a man who had every chance to cheat but still couldn’t win. It just shows the difference.”
Inside the Camp: The Rituals and Sacrifices
As the fight draws closer, the gym sessions are intensifying.
Eubank’s schedule doesn’t match the average person’s—he’s a bit nocturnal, as one of his team members puts it.
When he walks in, dressed in a Louis Vuitton jacket and shoes, it’s clear this is a man who knows exactly how he wants to present himself.
But first, he begins his ritual.
Taping his feet with surgical precision, Eubank prepares for the pain ahead.
His feet are battered—cracked skin, blisters, and open sores—but this is just part of the process.
Most people would avoid running on feet like these, but not Eubank. It’s just another challenge in his pursuit of victory.
The Intensity of Training
Next comes the gloves. Eubank slides his fingers in, adjusts, and tests the fit.
He’s meticulous, examining every detail like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
Once satisfied, he begins shadowboxing. His movements are long and controlled, cutting through the thick air.
The heat in the gym is unbearable—Vegas hot—but Eubank thrives in this environment.
Having trained in such conditions for years, he’s used to it.
There’s no fanfare here—no chants of “You’re a monster!” or “You’re a machine” like in Benn’s camp.
Eubank’s team is quiet, focused.
His trainer, Jonathan Banks, gives instructions in a low voice, and Eubank absorbs them like they’re sacred texts.
Each combination is practiced with the utmost precision, a slow buildup to perfection.
When it’s time for the core circuits, the pain is evident, but Eubank doesn’t flinch.
The repetition, the grind—it’s just part of the job. Emotion doesn’t factor into his training.
“I don’t have any emotions,” he says, almost matter-of-factly.
“Things don’t upset me like they would most people.”
The Mental Detachment: A Key to Victory
This emotional detachment serves him well, especially when it comes to dealing with Benn’s provocations.
Despite all the insults, the jabs at his family, and the attempts to rile him up, Eubank remains unfazed.
“I’m not emotional. I won’t give anyone my energy if I know that’s what they want.”
This mental resilience also helps him endure the physical demands of his training.
At 34, the weight cut isn’t easy, especially with a rehydration cap limiting how much he can gain back after the weigh-in.
But Eubank is no stranger to discomfort.
“It’s never easy cutting weight,” he admits, “But I’m a soldier. I signed up for this pain. Over time, you learn to push through it.”
Coping with the Struggle: Eubank’s Unique Distraction
Even warriors need distractions. For Eubank, it’s binge-watching cooking shows while nibbling on carrots.
“It helps,” he laughs.
“Watching these food shows makes the food I’m eating taste better. It’s a weird kind of pleasure during a tough time.”
This camp, however, has seen a shift. For the first time, Eubank is working with a nutritionist.
“I’ve never needed one before, but I’m following a plan now,” he shares.
He won’t say why he made the change, but it’s clear that this camp is different.
A Father’s Concern: The Emotional Challenge
The most emotional part of this journey, however, may be the absence of his father.
Chris Eubank Sr. won’t be at the fight—not because of a rift, but because of grief.
After losing his son Sebastian, Eubank Sr. is reluctant to watch another of his children step into the ring.
“Of course he’s scared of losing another son,” Eubank Jr. acknowledges.
“But this is my life. I can’t stop chasing my dreams because he’s worried.”
What if his father does show up? “It’s not about words,” Eubank Jr. reflects.
“It’s about presence. He just needs to be there for me.”
If his father doesn’t show, will it be the breaking point for their relationship?
“I don’t know. It’s up to him. But I think he’ll regret it.”
A Quiet Resolve: Eubank’s Path to Victory
The silence surrounding Eubank isn’t emptiness. It’s a calculated calm, a quiet determination.
Every detail—whether it’s taping his feet, adjusting his gloves, or enduring the painful grind of training—feeds into his preparation for battle.
This isn’t just about fighting Conor Benn. It’s about perfecting his approach, ensuring no detail betrays him.
When fight night comes, if Eubank wins, it won’t be with a roar.
There will be no loud celebration.
Instead, it will be with the same quiet certainty that defines him—a man who told you exactly what he was going to do, and then did it.