Two hundred three days later, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are ready to do it all over again.
Twelve pulsating rounds of middleweight action back in April saw the pair of bitter British rivals separated, unanimously, by four rounds. In the end, it was Eubank who got the nod inside London’s sold-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving Conor Benns unbeaten record in tatters.
Will we see anything different in Saturdays rematch? Both men are a year older and 36 minutes wiser as to what their opponent offers inside the ring but who will that favor?
Let’s drill down further into Saturday nights keys to victory for both fighters.
In Aprils first meeting, there were a number of times where it looked like Eubank’s size and power would prove telling in breaking the durability of the smaller Benn. Eubank wants his signature shot to be the uncorking of a long, flashy uppercut, but he struggled to land it with enough consistency to make it a telling piece of arsenal in the contest.
If Eubank wants an easier nights work than the first time around, old-manning Benn in the clinch, leaning on him more effectively and tying him up instead of unnecessarily trading could pay big dividends.
A move away from the cocky, machismo-fueled performance that saw him win, but endure a war to do so, will benefit Euabnk in the rematch. He must lean on the physical advantages many saw as the defining difference between the pair when this fight was signed.
Leading on from the last point, the jab will be crucial for Eubank to enact this game plan.
His stiff, long left hand had plenty of success against Benn when he decided to use it, but those times were far and few between once the heat started to increase. Even the chopping left hook will keep Benn at bay, and found the target plenty of times in the early stages of Aprils opener.
If Benn decides to fight on emotion again (more on that if you scroll down) then the younger man will find himself falling over his front foot time and time again; its Eubanks prerogative to nullify these exchanges, catch him with the left hand rather than seeking the highlight-reel right hand haymaker.
As shown in his rematch against Liam Smith, Eubanks educated lead hand allows him to settle into a flow state, dictating rhythm and unleashing punches in bunches.
Eubank emptied the tank back in April, enduring three days and two nights in the hospital post-fight. He ate plenty of clean shots from Benn, and after a grueling weight cut, due to dehydration, didnt appear to get a sweat on until a considerable distance into the fight.
Hes known for his toughness, his resilience and his warriors spirit, and he might be forced to dig deep into the reserves once again to get the nod over an unrelenting Benn.
Eubank isnt so junior anymore. Hes 38 fights and 246 rounds into a tough career, and will have had his belly softened after news that he is expecting twin sons. But hes a smart man and a diligent athlete hopefully he still knows his bodys limits.
Benns best success came with flashes of combinations, with the younger fighter accepting that he might have to eat one punch to land two. His hand speed is impressive, as would be expected by a lighter fighter, and if Benn is able to use these attacks more economically, then he can pinch rounds.
Eubanks defense has come under scrutiny for his whole career dont expect any wholesale changes to this at the age of 36. Benn needs to mix up his attacks rather than just head-hunting the veteran, testing the body and gas tank.
Benns ability to explode off the front foot is impressive, as long as it isnt too telegraphed.
Benn was an emotional wreck going into the first fight something he would be happy to concede himself. But now that he has experienced a Eubank-Benn fight week, a Eubank-Benn ring-walk and a Eubank-Benn war, he should be able to rationalize the challenge ahead of him a little better.
Benn and his trainer Tony Sims have accepted that their game plan flew out the window back in April, leaving Benn fighting on heart and emotion without engaging the brain. If they are able to stick the plan a little more rigidly, then it’ll open up more avenues to avenge their loss.
That’s easier said than done. An argument could be made to suggest that emotion is exactly what has made the Benns so dangerous throughout their careers, but as they say: Everything in moderation.
As controlled as Sims may want Benn to be going into this rematch, “The Destroyer still has to fight on instinct. Eubank will always offer his opponents openings, and Benn needs to be ready to jump on any of these opportunities in search of a seeking the upper hand.
Benn is a brawler and instinctive in his nature. Waiting for the perfect moments to strike against the bigger man could prove to be a fools errand, so being spiteful and accurate in the counter has never been more important for Benn and if he gets an opening, he needs to be measured in his attack rather than gung ho.
Benn hasnt stopped a fighter since April 2022 (Chris van Heerden). Over that time, hes been trying too hard to find openings that arent there, rather than saving his energy for the perfect opportunity to strike.