The Eubank Jr-Dad Reunion Had Boxing Champs Haney and Lopez Feeling All Kinds of Ways

By Lewis Barnett 1 May, 2025 7 mins read 40 Views

I nearly spilled my coffee watching Chris Eubank Jr and his dad reconcile at Tottenham's stadium last weekend. There's something about father-son boxing duos that hits different - especially when there's been bad blood between them. Trust me, I've seen enough boxing family drama to fill a Netflix series.

Junior was heading into the biggest fight of his life against Conor Benn without his legendary dad in his corner. The two had a very public falling out over Junior's decision to stay at middleweight for the fight against welterweight Benn. Senior was NOT having it.

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When Dad Shows Up Unexpectedly...

But then it happened. Three decades after Senior's own battles with Nigel Benn, Eubank Sr shocked everyone by appearing at his son's side. The 67,000 fans at Tottenham's ridiculous £1billion stadium went absolutely mental.

And guess who was watching from across the pond with a massive grin? Devin Haney.

"Oh man, I love to see both of them," Haney told me when I caught up with him. "I love to see that moment. It was great for boxing, great for teh fans, just great overall seeing both with their dads."

The 26-year-old couldn't contain his joy. "Even one losing, and his dad embracing him and one winning and his dad embracing him it was just beautiful to see. I was smiling ear to ear, just watching the whole thing."

No wonder it hit Haney so hard. He and his dad Bill are practically joined at the hip - Bill's been coaching him since day one.

Lopez Gets It (Maybe More Than Most)

Teofimo Lopez felt that father-son energy on a whole different level. His relationship with Teofimo Sr has been... complicated, to put it mildly.

"It was good to see Nigel Benn, not only Nigel Benn, but it was good to see Chris Eubank and his father for sure, man," Lopez told us, his voice carrying that hint of someone who knows the struggle.

God. I remember back in 2021 when Lopez and his dad were barely speaking to each other after some disagreements. The boxing world is small - we all knew about it.

"It's definitely not easy if you're gonna be separated from your loved one or from your father who's always been in your corner," Lopez admitted. "Thankfully I haven't been in that position, to see Chris Eubank go and still push forward and keep moving forward despite his father being in his corner until then, I mean kudos to him as well."

That Fight Though? Absolute Slugfest

Junior walked away with a unanimous decision win after what can only be described as a war. Family bragging rights: secured.

Lopez couldn't hide his excitement about the actual fight. "Turned out more than what everyone expected it to be – a full blast of entertainment. These guys didn't stop throwing punches."

He's already looking ahead. "I look forward to the rematch, definitely well earned and deserved and I had my prediction correct and I had my odds right, I said before the fight that I had Eubank winning. I was right."

Typical Teo. Always gotta remind you when he's called something correctly!

Haney's Using This as Fuel

For Haney, watching that Eubank family moment was more than just heartwarming - it was motivational. He's got his own redemption story brewing.

"It was more motivation for me even going into this fight, because this is a big moment for us," Haney explained. "The whole world is gonna be watching, seeing what Devin Haney shows up. So yeah, it was just motivation."

Poor guy had a rough 2024. Got dropped THREE times by Ryan Garcia back in April. The result was later overturned when Garcia tested positive for ostarine (that muscle-building stuff), but let's be real... the beatdown still happened.

Haney took a year off - welcomed a baby daughter in January - and now he's back.

Times Square Triple-Header? Yes Please!

Both Haney and Lopez are fighting this Friday night in what's shaping up to be an insane card in Times Square. Haney faces Jose Ramirez while Lopez defends his WBO super-lightweight title against Arnold Barboza Jr.

And who else is on the card? Ryan Garcia against Rolando Romero.

When I asked Haney about potentially facing Garcia again, he shut it down quick.

"Right now it's not time for me to speak on that. Right now my main focus is Jose Ramirez and focusing on Jose."

Smart. One fight at a time.

Lopez, meanwhile, is just "happy, looking forward to a great show." That's it. That's all he gave me. Sometimes getting more than three sentences out of these guys is like pulling teeth.

I'll be ringside Friday night. Can't wait to see if any more family drama unfolds. Boxing and daddy issues - name a more iconic duo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an age limit for boxing?

There are age restrictions in professional boxing. Most boxing commissions require that boxers be 18 years or older to compete professionally. At the upper end of the spectrum, there is no age limit per se, but physical ability and health will limit an individual's ability to compete safely. It's crucial for older athletes to be thoroughly assessed for fitness and risk before taking up the sport professionally.

How can amateur boxers become professional?

A significant change in competition, intensity of training, and mental preparedness is required to make the transition from amateurs to professionals. An amateur boxer must establish a strong track record of performance, typically honing skills in various local and national competitions. 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.

How does a boxer maintain weight and weight class?

Boxers maintain their weight with a combination of strict diets, and training. Dieticians work with boxers to create a diet that allows them to achieve their weight-class target without sacrificing energy and nutrition. Exercise and weight monitoring are important, particularly as the fight nears. Weight management can be a strategy that can cause health problems or poor performance if it is not done correctly.

What kind of diet should a novice boxer follow?

A novice boxer needs to follow a balanced nutritional diet that will fuel intense workouts while promoting recovery. It is usually recommended to consume carbohydrates for energy as well as lean proteins that promote muscle growth and repair. Healthy fats should also be consumed for good health. Vitamins and minerals are also essential. Consulting with a sports nutritionist can provide a personalized diet plan that aligns with the boxer's training regimen and weight class targets.

What equipment is essential for someone starting in professional boxing?

For anyone starting in professional boxing, the essential equipment includes boxing gloves, hand wraps, a mouthguard, headgear (for sparring), and proper footwear. Training aids such as heavy bags, speed bags, double-end bags, and other training tools are crucial for technical workouts. Use quality gear that is durable and offers protection. Poor equipment can lead to injury.

What role does a manager or promoter play in the career of a professional boxer?

Managers and promoters play pivotal roles in a boxer's professional career. Managers are responsible for guiding the boxer's career path, negotiating contracts, and handling the business affairs of the boxer. The managers also help the boxer to choose the best fights, and look after his interests. Promoters on the other hand focus on event planning, marketing of fights, attracting audience, and sponsor attention. This enhances a fighter's public image and earning potential.

What are the risks of professional boxing?

Professional boxing, like any contact sport, carries inherent risks. 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. Although boxing regulations and safety equipment can help to reduce risk, it is impossible to eliminate them completely. To box professionally, you must accept these risks and be able to recognize them.

Statistics

Cardiovascular fitness is critical, with a focus on high intensity interval training, comprising up to 40% of a boxer's conditioning program.
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.
Approximately 80% of professional boxers start their career in the amateur ranks before transitioning to the professional level.
Around 60% of professional boxers supplement their income with other activities or jobs, due to variability in fight earnings.
Less than 10% of professional boxers are undefeated throughout their career, highlighting the sport's competitive nature.
As per recent surveys, only about 17% of professional boxers reach a title shot opportunity in their careers.
An analysis of boxing injuries suggests that 90% involve the head, neck, and face, emphasizing the importance of protective gear.

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How To

How to learn from and analyze professional boxers

You can learn a lot from professional boxers. Analyze the movements and techniques of professional boxers. Be sure to pay attention to their pace control, defensive skills and adaptability to different opponents. Analyze their footwork and combinations to see what works and why. Observe the way they behave under pressure and how resilient they are in adversity. To complement this, read their interviews. Learn about their training and philosophies. The knowledge you gain can be used to improve your own training routine and mentality.