Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will finally face off in London next month, putting an end to their long-standing family rivalry.
The fight was originally set for two years ago, but got called off just days before when Benn tested positive for a banned substance twice. After a legal battle, Benn got cleared to fight late last year. Both fighters quickly signed a new agreement to make the match happen.
They'll fight at 160lbs, with a special 10lb rehydration clause for Eubank Jr. This weight sits between their usual divisions - Eubank Jr has fought as high as super-middleweight, while Benn has mostly competed as a welterweight.
George Groves, who beat Eubank Jr in 2018, shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight. Groves won their World Boxing Super Series semi-final by unanimous decision in Manchester at 168lbs.
"No [he didn't hurt me]. I mean he was physically strong but I don't remember any shots that came through where I felt like the legs stiffened or he buzzed me in anyway at all."
Groves explained that while Eubank Jr is strong and hits hard, his technique makes his punches easier to see coming.
"He's certainly heavy handed enough that you wouldn't want to give away any free shots, he caught me with a couple of cuffing left hooks and stuff like that but I think everything was answered really well, so anytime where he had a tiny bit of, what he might have perceived as success, I shut it down. I shut it down with heavy right hands to the body, it's a shot I couldn't miss with."
The former WBA super-middleweight champion believes his own power outclassed Eubank Jr's.
"He's certainly a physical guy and a strong guy but in terms of punch power you see a lot of his shots coming because he loads up so much and I made him miss a lot especially a lot of the combinations he was throwing. I think my power was on another level from his."
Groves shared these insights in a recent interview, drawing from his experience facing Eubank Jr in the ring. His assessment gives an interesting perspective on what Benn might expect in the upcoming fight.
