Chris Eubank Sr has named Nigel Benn as the most terrifying opponent he ever faced in the ring. The former British super-middleweight champion shared this insight in a recent YouTube video, reflecting on his boxing career and past rivalries.
Eubank, who fought from 1985 to 1988 during the golden era of British super middleweight talents, had a storied career. He notched up notable wins against Michael Watson twice and secured the WBO Middleweight title from Nigel Benn in 1990. He also suffered losses to Steve Collins, Joe Calzaghe, and Carl Thompson.
The rivalry between Eubank and Benn was fierce. Their first encounter in 1990 saw Eubank clinch the WBO Middleweight title. They met again in 1993 for a super-middleweight rematch that ended in a controversial draw.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Eubank opened up about his feelings towards Benn:
"Nigel Benn is a terrifying man. Do you remember the bully at school? If he was at that part of the playground, you made sure you stayed in this part of the playground. That's who Nigel was to me."
Eubank went on to describe a pre-fight encounter and his strategy for dealing with Benn's intimidating presence:
"I had to come to terms with taming this man. I sat down in a studio signing the contract for the fight, this is where he said he hated me. At one point, the host says, You won't look at him, why won't you look at him? I said, 'Well, I have nothing to say to him. I find the man intolerable because he's so wild.'"
Reflecting on the intensity of their rivalry, Eubank added:
"When I look back, the truth, Nigel would have hit me in the studio. We would have been rolling around on the ground."
Despite their fierce rivalry in the ring, Eubank and Benn have since become friends. Their legacy continues through their sons, with Eubank Jr and Benn Jr facing off in April. Eubank Jr won by unanimous decision, and there's talk of a potential rematch later this year.
