Thursday night’s press conference wasn’t your usual pre-fight banter.
Sure, there was the expected trash talk and tension in the air ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
But it was also a moment where Eubank Jr let his guard down—not in the ring, but emotionally.
In the middle of the usual back-and-forth, he opened up about some deeply personal pain that made the usual physical strain of fight prep seem insignificant in comparison.
Beyond the Ring: Real-Life Pain That Hits Harder
When asked about how tough it’s been to shed the pounds before fight night, Eubank Jr responded with something unexpected.
“What is pain?” he asked, before revealing the heartbreak that’s been sitting on his chest for years.
He spoke about losing his brother Sebastian, who tragically died of a heart attack while swimming in Dubai in 2021.
Sebastian left behind a son, Raheem, who’s now three years old.
“That’s pain,” Eubank said.
“His little boy asking why his dad can’t take him to school—that’s the kind of hurt I know.”
He didn’t stop there. Eubank Jr also touched on the silence between him and his father, legendary boxer Chris Eubank Sr.
Despite carrying on the family legacy in the sport, the two haven’t spoken in years.
His father once called him a disgrace, a word that still clearly stings.
“Cutting weight? Dehydration? I can deal with that,” he said. “I’ve been through worse.”
Determined and Battle-Ready
After baring his soul, Eubank Jr shifted gears and locked back into fight mode.
He talked about how every moment in his career—every drop of sweat and sacrifice—has prepared him for this.
He called out Benn’s decision to train in Spain, suggesting it was to avoid the weight of public scrutiny back home.
“He didn’t want to feel the heat from the streets here,” Eubank said.
“Now he thinks beating me will win everyone back. Not a chance.”
He didn’t hold back when it came to his game plan either.
“This isn’t about who’s stronger or faster. It’s about who’s put in the work, who’s kept it clean, and who’s truly ready. And in every single category—it’s me.”
No Room for Promoters—Unless Invited
One of the lighter moments of the night came when Eubank Jr flexed his control over the room.
Promoter Eddie Hearn was literally silenced—only allowed to speak if Eubank personally invited him to.
Hearn had come prepared, even bringing his colleague Frank Smith to share the stage in case things got awkward. They did.
Eventually, Eubank asked Hearn a cheeky question about reviving their £1 million bet on the outcome of the fight.
That finally gave Hearn his opening.
“If there are no penalties, I’ll think about it,” he said.
“Now go drop that weight and get ready for a beating.”
Benn: Calm, Cold, and Locked In
On the other side, Conor Benn kept his responses short but sharp.
He radiated confidence and made it clear he sees no scenario where he loses.
“This is what I’ve always wanted,” he said.
“I’ve played this fight over and over again in my mind. There’s no pressure. Not after fighting in front of a full O2 Arena at 19 years old.”
Then, he got personal.
“I’m not lowering myself to Chris’s antics. Just focus on cutting weight, fat boy.
This fight is personal, always has been. He’s just another man to me, and I’m not losing to a man named Eubank. I’m coming to take his head off.”
What’s Coming Next?
With both fighters fueled by history, pride, and raw emotion, Saturday night’s showdown promises to be more than just a boxing match—it’s a battle of legacies, identities, and personal demons.
Eubank Jr is carrying the weight of loss and family estrangement, while Benn is fighting to reclaim his reputation and prove a point.
The question isn’t just who will win—but who will walk away changed.