Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch: who will come out on top?

Six months after our first bloody taste of action between Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, we’re all set for the Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch, where everything is on the line. 

In a rivalry passed down through generations, Eubank Jr and Benn faced off on April 26, 2025, in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was long-awaited, tense, and at times chaotic, but Eubank won the fight in a unanimous decision (116-112 x3).

Now, we’re in for an equally fiery second fight as the two square up once again on November 15 in a stacked card that will also feature Jack Catterall vs Ekow Essuman. Adam Azim was seemingly set to fight Zaur Abdullaev, but with that fight now off, it remains to be seen if the Brit will remain on the undercard.

The main event will be a tough one to call, with Benn intent on redeeming himself and Eubank keen to close the chapter on not just his opponent but also a rivalry that has spanned over three decades. Before the two great fighters go toe-to-toe, let’s see how they measure up and who I think could come out on top. 

Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch – a longstanding rivalry

Before we get into the details of each fighter, I think it’s important to get an understanding of the long and storied history between the two. The rivalry dates all the way back to the 1980s and their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr, Both were formidable boxers in the 80s and 90s, leading to one of the most memorable rivalries in British boxing.

The two agreed to meet on November 18, 1990, at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, with Benn’s title of WBO middleweight champion on the line. The rivalry between the two was fierce; an intense clash of two outspoken characters. Benn was rebuilding, following a shock defeat to Michael Watson in May 1989, which he followed by knocking out Doug DeWitt and decimating Iran Barkley in the first round of their contest. Eubank was the WBC International champion and came into the fight off an incredible victory against Reginaldo Dos Santos, which he won in exactly 20 seconds (including the count). 

Eubank Sr vs Benn Sr – what happened in the first fight?

Benn landed the first meaningful blow when he caught Eubank in the fourth round with an uppercut that caused him to bite his tongue. Eubank was left bleeding heavily and found himself down on the canvas in the eighth and ninth rounds. 

It seemed that Benn would win narrowly on decision, but Eubank came back with a devastating left-right combination and left hook. Following another series of brutal flurries, Benn was left reeling in the corner, forcing the referee to stop the fight and declare Eubank the victor by technical knockout, just four seconds before the end of the ninth round.

Eubank held the WBO middleweight title until he vacated it to fight Michael Watson for a chance at the WBO super middleweight title. In the same weight division, Benn claimed the WBC super-middleweight title, creating the perfect storm for the two to fight again. 

Round two

On October 9, 1993, the two formidable fighters met again at the Old Trafford in front of a crowd of 42,000. I think it’s fair to say that the rematch didn’t quite live up to the brutal heights of the first contest. Neither man was seriously hurt, and the bout ultimately resulted in a draw. The two never fought again, and both went on to lose their titles against Steve Collins.

Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch – the perfect stage

As you can imagine, given the history between the two families, the stage was perfectly set for the fight between Eubank Jr (35-3, 25 KOs) and Conor Benn. The much-anticipated second-generation fight had also been delayed. The bout was originally scheduled for 2022 and postponed just two days before it was due to take place, when Conor Benn tested positive in a random drug test by UKAD. 

Although Benn (23-1, 14 KOs) admitted to failing two drug tests, he insisted it wasn’t intentional doping and maintains his innocence to this day. He was provisionally suspended from UK boxing for doping in March 2023. Following appeals from his team, the ban was lifted, then, following another appeal from UKAD, it was reinstated.  During his UK suspension, he posted two unremarkable points wins in the US against Orozco and Dobson. It wasn’t until November 2024 that Benn was cleared to fight in the UK, but the damage to his home reputation was already done.

Hurling insults and eggs

The lead-up to the first fight between the two sons certainly had echoes of the rivalry between their fathers decades earlier. Benn continued to protest his innocence in the doping scandal, suggesting it was down to his ‘highly elevated consumption of eggs’. 

While Eubank was preparing for a fight against Kamil Szeremeta, which he ultimately won, Benn appeared at a media event and pushed him. He was there, once again, when Eubank won the bout and stormed the ring to hurl insults at him. 

The tension boiled over again in news conferences, where they frequently argued. Then, at their first face-off, Eubank slapped an egg across Benn’s face (in reference to his egg consumption claim). Although Eubank was fined £100,000, it was almost worth it to heighten the iconic rivalry to absolutely unprecedented levels. 

What did the first fight teach us?

Both fighters had their fathers in their corners when the bell rang for the long-awaited fight. Benn was out of the blocks quickly and landed significant shots throughout the rounds.

However, Eubank’s stamina and experience carried him through, and he came out with consistent, precise punches. He outlanded Benn in every round, finishing the contest with an overall percentage of 40.2% punches landed, compared to Benn’s 36.3%. Eubank also outscored his opponent on total jabs, 40% to Benn’s 25.5%. In the end, all judges agreed on a 116-112 scorecard in favor of Eubank – a testament to his accuracy and power. 

Could the rematch be a replay?

Neither has fought since the first bout in April, so it’s hard to know exactly what has changed between then and now. Therefore, I find it hard to see the fight going any other way than one more victory for Eubank Jr. The first bout was a close result, though, and there were plenty of opportunities for Benn to snatch victory, which he could capitalise on if they were presented again. 

You also have to consider Eubank Jr’s physical condition. He wasn’t ready for the original rematch date in September, which could suggest he’s not entirely pleased with his preparation for the fight. He was also hospitalized for two days following the bout in April, with serious concerns over dehydration. Eubank attributed this to the rehydration clause in the contract between the two fighters, which prohibited them from weighing more than 12st 1lb on the Saturday morning prior. 

Heightened tensions (again)

In case there was any doubt, the rematch won’t lack animosity; all meetings between Eubank Jr’s camp and Benn have confirmed that. Eubank has taken particular aim at Benn’s promoter’s team, especially Eddie Hearn, accusing them of ‘breaking any rules they can’. 

He further called his opponent’s team out for ‘contract breaches, fines, rehydration clauses and weigh-in sabotage’, and most sensationally, accused them of delaying his ambulance for half an hour at the previous fight. Benn and his team roundly rejected the claims as nonsense, but there’s no doubt that it’s all added fuel to the fire for the fight in November.

Who is likely to come out on top in the Eubank Jr and Benn rematch?

I believe the Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch is going to be a closely fought contest, with both of the fighters running off the adrenaline of the previous bout’s result and the tense conferences. Given that we haven’t seen either boxer in action since their initial fight, it’s certainly hard to call, but I can see Eubank edging it.

He’s the more consistent and accurate fighter, and he seems more determined than ever to beat Benn and put the decades-long rivalry to bed once and for all. Regardless of who you have down to swing it, I know that we’ll all be ready and waiting to see how this story, started back in the 80s, finally wraps up.