Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn battled it out in a grueling twelve-round war at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month. Eubank Jr. won by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112 in his favor.
The fight lived up to its "born rivals" billing, keeping British boxing fans on the edge of their seats. Benn, the naturally smaller man, started fast and landed his best shots early. Eubank Jr., with his experience and weight advantage, found success with combinations as the fight progressed. He finished extremely strong, sealing the victory.
Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, no stranger to filling out UK stadiums himself, watched the fight with great interest. When asked about the possibility of a rematch, AJ gave his honest assessment.
"Yeah. 50/50. Close fight, man. There wasn't much in it. He definitely can. If he wants it, and I think he does. I think he's got the bit for it now. Remember, he'd been out the ring for a little while. I think it will be a good rematch. Obviously I'll watch it, definitely."
Joshua believes Benn has a real shot at reversing the result. He pointed out that Benn had been out of the ring for a while before their first encounter and seems more motivated now. The close nature of the fight also factors into AJ's 50/50 prediction for a potential rematch.
The scoring of the first fight stirred up some controversy in the boxing world. Some felt Benn did enough to win, while others saw it as a straightforward victory for Eubank Jr. This debate will likely fuel interest in a rematch.
Negotiations for a second fight are expected to begin soon. Eubank's team may push to renegotiate some of the pre-agreed terms, particularly the rehydration clause that limited his weight advantage on fight night.
One unexpected moment from the first bout was Chris Eubank Sr. joining his son at the very last minute. The presence of the boxing legend added another layer of intrigue to an already compelling father-son storyline.
As British boxing fans eagerly await news of a potential rematch, Joshua's words echo the sentiment of many: it will be a must-watch event if it happens.
