Before the fight, Eubank Sr. wasn't happy with his son's behavior. He wanted the fight called off because of weight issues and didn't like Junior's egg-smashing stunt. The two hadn't talked for months. Eubank Sr. even criticized his son's fighting style under Roy Jones Jr., calling him "an ordinary fighter."
But on fight night, Eubank Sr. showed up and walked in with Junior. The fight itself was a battle. Benn, a natural 147-pounder, came out aggressive with hard shots. Eubank Jr., who had to deal with a tough weight cut to 160 pounds and a rehydration clause, landed more combinations as the fight went on. His size advantage became clear, and he finished strong.
After the fight, Eubank Sr. had nothing but good things to say about his son. On his YouTube channel Call Chris Eubank, he praised Junior's toughness in the later rounds:
"I've had no chance to watch the fight [back], but I know what I felt. When you feel it, it means it's a hit. My recollection is that from round six, he's going toe-to-toe, so it's a battle of will. Those last two rounds, what they refer to as the championship rounds, I didn't know he could get through that. I know his age. I know about the dehydration, I know he's doing what is not possible."
Eubank Sr. even quoted Rudyard Kipling to describe his son's performance:
"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your term long after they're gone and so hold on when there is nothing left in you except the will which says hold on – Rudyard's Kipling If."
A rematch might be next. Benn wants to even the score, and there's already a rematch clause in place. Unless Eubank Jr. decides to retire, we'll likely see these two face off again.