EXCLUSIVE Chris Eubank Jr to wear custom-made jacket featuring blood from his last opponent Liam Smith for Conor Benn press conference

Daily Mail​

24-04-2025

Chris Eubank Jr has never shied away from a bold fashion choice — but his latest wardrobe decision takes things to an entirely new, and chilling, level.
The 35-year-old middleweight will arrive at the final press conference ahead of his grudge match with Conor Benn wearing a custom-made jacket stitched with the actual blood of former opponent Liam Smith.
Yes, real blood.
The jacket, which took over six months to create, features panels made from the blood-stained ring canvas used during Eubank's rematch with Smith in September 2023 — a fight in which Eubank gained emphatic revenge with a 10th-round stoppage.
Visually, it's impossible to ignore. From the front, a stark Union Jack patch blazes from the chest beside the date of their rematch — '02.09.2023' — stitched like a badge of honour for Eubank.
The name Eubank dominates in block capitals, flanked by the bold vertical text 'CHAMPION' running down one sleeve, and 1909 's signature monochrome palette heightens the militaristic, almost dystopian feel. It's sleek but severe, a uniform built for vengeance.
Turn it around, and the symbolism deepens. On the back, the oversized initials 'NG' — standing for 'Next Gen,' Eubank Jr's longtime moniker — are emblazoned across the shoulders in canvas cut directly from the post-fight battleground.
Embedded in those letters are unmistakable, dark bloodstains — raw, real, and deliberate. Beneath them, the embroidered words 'CHRIS EUBANK JR' - the man who caused the pain.
Above that sits a final, potent message: In Your Blood.
The phrase hits on multiple levels. The blood is literal — the stains of battle. But the rivalry with Benn is also genetic: a fight inherited. Eubank Jr's father, Chris Eubank Sr, famously fought Conor Benn's father, Nigel Benn, in one of British boxing's fiercest rivalries. This isn't just business. It's legacy.
The move sends a not-so-subtle message to both Benn — his long-time rival — and to Smith, who also features on the undercard this Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It's a reminder of what Eubank believes happens when his back is against the ropes: he comes back, and he draws blood.
When first presented with the jacket by 1909 and Boxing News, Eubank Jr's reaction captured its impact: 'This is real blood? That's sick. I'm a big jacket guy — and that is a sexy jacket.'
The dramatic garment is arguably the most provocative work yet by Antonia Bronze, whose custom pieces have been worn by figures like Idris Elba and Leah Williamson — but none have quite the same edge.
'I actually met Eubank Sr on Brighton beach when I was a kid,' Bronze recalls. 'He had this aura — I thought he was so cool. When this job came about, it was a full-circle moment. It's completely different from my other projects, but I love finding new ways to document athletes' stories. This is definitely one of the most unique.'
Myles Jordan, creative director at 1909, adds: 'This jacket is the essence of what we're trying to do. Luxury streetwear rooted in boxing. The materials we use are just as important as the design itself — and this piece tells a story, in every thread, in every stain.'
The jacket is more than theatre — it sets the tone for one of the most emotionally-charged fights in recent British boxing history. Eubank Jr and Benn were originally due to face off in 2022, but the bout was cancelled after Benn tested positive for a banned substance. Two years on, the feud has only intensified.
Saturday's fight, staged in London but part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing investment in global boxing, will finally see the sons of British boxing royalty settle their differences in the ring.
With Benn now cleared to fight but still facing fierce scrutiny — not least from Eubank, who has called for lifetime bans for drug cheats — the narrative around this clash is as personal as it is professional.
Adding another layer of tension is the presence of Smith on the same card. Smith handed Eubank the first stoppage loss of his career in January 2023 — before Eubank responded in brutal style eight months later, dominating and stopping Smith in their rematch.