Eubank Jr vs Benn: The £18M Grudge Match That's Been Brewing Since Our Dads Knocked Seven Bells Out of Each Other

By Lewis Barnett 23 April, 2025 6 mins read 90 Views

This Saturday night, 60,000 screaming Brits will pack into Tottenham's stadium to watch two men with famous surnames try to cave each other's faces in. And I'm absolutely buzzing for it.

The Eubank-Benn rivalry is basically boxing royalty in Britain. Their dads' battles in the 90s were the stuff of legend - proper wars that defined an era. Now the sons are picking up where the old men left off, and it's been... messy.

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When An Egg Costs You £100K

Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Eubank Jr literally cracked an egg over Benn's head during a press event. An EGG! Like we're back in primary school or something. The boxing authorities weren't impressed - they slapped Eubank with a £100,000 fine for that little stunt.

God. Can you imagine paying the price of a decent house just because you couldn't control yourself with some breakfast food?

The build-up to this fight has been absolutely toxic. These two genuinely can't stand each other, and it shows. Every press conference feels like it might descend into an actual street fight before they even get to the ring.

Remember That Little Drug Test Issue?

This fight was supposed to happen back in October 2022. I had tickets and everything. Then boom - Benn fails not one but TWO drug tests, and the whole thing gets scrapped. I was gutted. My mate Dave still brings it up after a few pints... "remember when you were banging on about that fight that never happened?" Thanks, Dave.

Benn got banned, there were appeals, legal battles, the whole circus. Now he's back and trying to prove he belongs.

So... How Much Are These Lads Making?

The numbers are pretty wild. They're splitting a cool £18 million between them. Not bad for a night's work, eh?

Eubank Jr managed to negotiate himself the bigger slice - £10 million to be exact. His promoter Ben Shalom was practically boasting about getting Chris to "accept" a 55% cut. Poor Conor has to make do with just teh £8 million. I'm sure he'll manage somehow.

Saudi money is involved, of course. Turki Alalshikh, the guy who's basically taken over boxing in the last year, is backing this fight. When he opens his wallet, everyone gets paid.

Wait, Benn's Fighting at WHAT Weight?

This is actually a massive deal that casual fans might miss. Benn is jumping up to 160 pounds for this fight - a weight he's never competed at before. Back in 2018, he was fighting at 147!

Eubank Jr, meanwhile, has fought as high as 168 pounds and is naturally the bigger man. It's a gamble for Benn, but for £8 million... I'd probably fight a gorilla.

Listen. The weight difference is why the original 55-45 split makes sense. Eubank is giving up some advantage by coming down, while Benn is reaching up.

How to Watch Without Remortgaging Your House

If you want to catch this grudge match (and you should), it'll cost you £19.95 on either Sky Sports or DAZN pay-per-view. Not cheap, but I've spent more on a night out that I can barely remember.

The action kicks off at 5pm with the undercard, but the main event ring walks should be around 10pm. Perfect timing to have a few beers first.

My prediction? Someone's getting knocked out. There's too much bad blood for this to go the distance. I've got £50 on Eubank stopping him in the 8th. My wife thinks I'm an idiot. She's probably right.

Saturday night. Tottenham. 60,000 fans. Two men with famous names and a genuine hatred for each other.

It's gonna be absolute chaos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me to become a boxer professional?

The time it takes to become a professional boxer can vary widely. It is dependent on the starting level of the boxer, his/her ability to adapt, and how well he/she trained. It may take several years for a dedicated amateur athlete to reach the level of a professional. Some exceptional talent may advance faster, while others might need more development time.

Are there age restrictions for learning to box professionally?

There are age restrictions in professional boxing. Most boxing federations require that boxers are at least 18 to fight professionally. On the upper end, while there is no specific age limit, physical capabilities and health factors will naturally limit the age at which one can compete effectively and safely. Before taking up a sport professionally, older athletes should be assessed thoroughly for their fitness and risks.

How can amateur boxers become professional?

In order to transition from amateur boxing into professional, there is a major increase in the intensity of competitions, training and mental prep. An amateur boxer is required to establish a record of success, usually by honing their skills at local and national contests. It is also critical to obtain a professional boxing license and align with experienced managers and trainers who can guide career decisions and secure professional bouts.

What are the main components of a professional boxer's routine?

A boxer’s regular training routine usually consists of multiple key components. Technical skill development, strength and conditioning exercises, sparring and mental preparation are all part of a boxer's training routine. The tactical drills will help you develop your fight strategy. Technique-focused training improves punch accuracy, defensive maneuvers, and defensive techniques. Conditioning exercises enhance athleticism, and sparring provides practical fight experience. Mental training focuses on building confidence, focus, and resilience.

What are the risks associated with professional boxing?

As with any contact sport there are inherent risks in professional boxing. There are acute injuries, including cuts, bruises and broken bones. Also, there may be chronic conditions, like concussions syndromes or neurological disorders, that can develop from repeated impacts. The risks can be reduced with proper training, safety devices, and adhering to boxing rules, but never completely eliminated. Understanding and accepting these risks is a critical part of choosing to box professionally.

Anyone can learn how to box professionally.

Although boxing can be enjoyed by many, not all will have the skills to compete at professional levels. Professional boxing demands a unique combination of talent as well as physical abilities, mental strength and dedication. Prospective boxers should also be willing accept the inherent risk of the sport. A thorough assessment by a coach can determine if a person has the potential to make a career out of boxing.

How important is mental toughness to professional boxing?

Mental toughness, just like physical conditioning, is essential in professional fighting. Resilience, focus, pressure-handling ability, and psychological fortitude are all required in the sport. Mental preparation is a combination of stress management, visualization and a strong mentality to meet the challenges that are faced in the ring. Without mental toughness a boxer will struggle to perform under the high pressure conditions of professional competition.

Statistics

A study showed that most professional boxers have spent more than 4 years in training before their first professional bout.
As per recent surveys, only about 17% of professional boxers reach a title shot opportunity in their careers.
Professional boxers typically train 4 to 6 hours per day, 5 to 6 days a week, depending on their fight schedule.
The average age for boxers to turn professional is between 18 to 25 years, though many continue to compete well into their 30s and beyond.
Research shows that a boxer's reaction time is typically under 0.25 seconds, honed through repetitive drills and sparring.
Around 60% of professional boxers supplement their income with other activities or jobs, due to variability in fight earnings.
Nutrition experts emphasize that over 70% of a boxer's diet should focus on carbohydrates and proteins for energy and recovery.

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How To

How to Manage Recovery After Intense Boxing Training

Efficient recovery after intense boxing training is critical for performance and progression. Implement a cool-down routine after workouts that includes stretching and low-intensity cardio to reduce muscle soreness. Nutrition is important immediately after training. A combination of carbohydrates and protein can help muscle recovery. Water is essential, so replace fluids lost through exercise. For recovery, you need to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Regular use of massage and foam rollers can also reduce stiffness and promote muscle recovery.