Ricky Hatton thinks Conor Benn might pull off an upset against Chris Eubank Jr. The two British fighters will face each other on April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a match that's got everyone talking.
Eubank Jr and Benn come from boxing families with a long-standing rivalry. The fight is a big deal because Benn's moving up two weight divisions to take on Eubank Jr. This weight difference is a major factor in the bout.
Eubank Jr's got some clear advantages. He's bigger, more experienced, and has fought at super middleweight. He's also been in the ring with some tough opponents like George Groves, Billy Joe Saunders, and James DeGale. Recently, he split two fights with Liam Smith, losing the first by knockout but winning the rematch. In October, he stopped Kamil Szeremeta in a solid performance.
Benn, on the other hand, has been building momentum at welterweight. His biggest win was knocking out an older Chris Algieri. But he hit a snag when he tested positive for a banned substance before their first scheduled fight in October 2022. Since then, he's fought twice in America against lower-level opponents, winning both fights on points.
Hatton shared his thoughts on the fight in an interview:
"Conor is going up two weight divisions, he's not fought anyone like the people Eubank Jr has fought at his own weight, let alone two weights above. But Conor has huge self belief and drive to be honest with you, like his dad, the Benn family, I've never seen a family with more drive and determination so I think everything is pointing at Chris Eubank Jr but I think I might have a sneaky few quid on Conor to be honest with you."
Hatton believes Benn's confidence might be the key to victory:
"His confidence and drive is something I've only ever seen in a few people, he's going to need that, and I think that might be enough against Chris Eubank."
The build-up to the fight has already gotten heated. At a recent press conference, Eubank Jr smashed an egg on Benn's face, adding more fuel to the fire.
As the fight date gets closer, fans and experts are split on who'll come out on top. Will Eubank Jr's size and experience be too much for Benn? Or will Benn's determination and self-belief help him overcome the odds? We'll find out on April 26.
