MANCHESTER, UK — The long-simmering rivalry between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn exploded into chaos during Monday’s pre-fight press conference, setting the stage for one of the most heated grudge matches in recent boxing history.
In a scene more fitting for a reality TV showdown than a professional boxing event, Eubank Jr. escalated tensions by smashing an egg into Benn’s face—a calculated and mocking reference to Benn’s past doping controversy. The move ignited an all-out melee on stage, with security forced to intervene as tempers flared.
With their highly anticipated showdown set for April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the intensity of the buildup suggests fans are in for a brutal and deeply personal encounter inside the ring.
The Egg That Broke the Press Conference
The breaking point came as the two fighters squared up for the customary face-off. Eubank Jr., never one to shy away from mind games, reached into his pocket, pulled out an egg, and forcefully crushed it against Benn’s face. The act was a deliberate jab at Benn’s explanation for failing two drug tests in 2022, where he claimed the banned substance clomifene—known for boosting testosterone levels—entered his system through contaminated eggs.
The reaction was immediate. Benn, visibly enraged, lunged toward Eubank Jr., prompting a frantic intervention by security and members of both camps. Promoters Eddie Hearn and Ben Shalom also found themselves drawn into the scuffle, with Hearn seen shoving Shalom amid the pandemonium.
After being restrained, Benn addressed the incident with steely determination. “That’s the only shot he’ll land on me,” he said. “Two rounds, and he’s finished.”
Eubank Jr., unfazed, doubled down on his actions. “Apparently egg contamination was the reason for his two failed drugs tests,” he quipped. “So I contaminated him with an egg.”
A Rivalry Rooted in Boxing History
While the bad blood between the two fighters has been boiling over for months, the roots of their animosity stretch back decades. Their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, were two of the biggest names in British boxing during the 1990s, engaging in two legendary battles that defined an era.
The younger Eubank and Benn have long been on a collision course, with their initial bout in 2022 postponed after Benn’s doping scandal derailed the fight. The controversy cast a long shadow over his career, and despite being cleared by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in 2023, doubts lingered in the court of public opinion.
Eubank Jr. has never missed an opportunity to needle Benn about the ordeal, and his antics on Monday only added fuel to the fire.
Promotional Friction and Explosive Fallout
The intensity of the press conference wasn’t limited to the fighters. Hearn and Shalom, representing Benn and Eubank Jr. respectively, exchanged heated words, further complicating an already volatile promotion.
Hearn, incensed by the egg incident, accused Shalom of enabling Eubank Jr.’s antics. “This is supposed to be a professional event,” Hearn fumed. “He’s making a mockery of it.”
Shalom fired back, suggesting Benn needed to “keep his emotions in check” if he wanted to make it to fight night unscathed.
High Stakes and Unfinished Business
Beyond the theatrics, the fight itself carries enormous significance. For Eubank Jr., this is a chance to silence his doubters after suffering a knockout defeat to Liam Smith in 2023. For Benn, it’s an opportunity to finally move past the doping scandal and prove he belongs at the top level.
The fight will be contested at a 157-pound catchweight, the same as their originally scheduled bout in 2022. Eubank Jr. has insisted that making the weight won’t be an issue, while Benn remains eager to prove he can match his rival’s physicality.
Looking Ahead
The events of Monday’s press conference have ensured one thing—April 26 will not just be a fight; it will be a war.
Whether Eubank Jr.’s mind games will pay dividends or merely enrage Benn further remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: after years of anticipation, setbacks, and personal animosity, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are finally set to settle their score in the most unforgiving way possible—inside the ring.