Latest news with #Benn
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Conor Benn gives damning Chris Eubank Jr rematch verdict amid fight delay
Benn was due to face Eubank Jr in a rematch in September but the bout was delayed due to the latter requesting more time to prepare for the sequel Conor Benn is ready to step back into the ring, even if his next fight is not a rematch with long-time rival Chris Eubank Jr. The duo had a heated encounter in April after years of trading barbs online. Both fighters put on a 'Fight of the Year' performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, with Eubank Jr going on to hand Benn his first professional defeat. It appeared likely that the pair would face off again immediately on September 20. However, Eubank Jr recently disclosed his preference for the rematch to occur in November. After the September clash was postponed, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn pointed the finger at Eubank Jr for withdrawing from the scheduled date. Despite being accused of backing out, Eubank Jr maintains he needs more time to train for the rematch, confirming his plans to Turki Alalshikh. Yet, Benn is not inclined to wait and is even prepared to progress his career as he aims to secure a world championship at 147lb, reports All Out Fighting. Speaking at BoxFest, when asked about his thoughts on Riyadh Season pulling out of the sequel, Benn responded: "Who's next? Get me that WBC world title. Get me any world title. Give me Rolly (Romero), give me Ryan Garcia, give me Devin Haney, give me Shakur Stevenson. "So I'll see. See you later Eubank, I want to get back down to 147lb and win those world titles. But most of all, give you guys (the fans) the fights that you guys want. That is what I want to do." He added: "I want to be active. I am willing to go again. Just give me the date. Let me go. Whoever it is. Genuinely, I do not care who it is. I am ready for any of them." It is fair to say the initial clash surpassed all predictions, with Benn himself taking pride in being part of boxing history in north London. "I loved every minute of it. For me, it was... it lived up to what we said we were going to do. For me, it was my moment to show 'if you want to go, we can have it,'" he said. The lead-up to the explosive encounter was overshadowed by drama. Eubank Jr shocked the boxing world when he smacked Benn across the face with an egg during their initial confrontation. He was subsequently hit with a £100,000 penalty for the Manchester incident. When questioned about the dramatics, Benn acknowledges his opponent rattled him and reveals he will never be mates with 'Next Gen'. "He got under my skin for sure. But I think he has that ability to get under anyone's skin," he said. "Did I like him before the fight? No. Did I like him after the fight? No. Do I like him now? No. And I probably never will. But, it takes two to tango, so I respect Chris for bringing that out of me." Benn was later asked if he believes his rematch with Eubank Jr will be the next fight, and the 'Destroyer' opened up about the difficulties in negotiating with Eubank Jr's team. "I was ready for September 20th," he disclosed. "I was back in the gym the Monday after the fight. So, we were both told it would be September 20th and it has been a miscommunication on their part as to why now it is not September 20th. If anyone can make the fight happen, if you guys want the fight, Turki Alalshikh will make it happen because he (Eubank Jr) and his team were difficult to deal with." When is Conor Benn's next fight? As previously mentioned, Benn was scheduled to face Eubank Jr for a second time in September. However, due to the delay, it remains uncertain whether the immediate rematch will occur despite agreeing to two fights at middleweight. Benn insists he does not want to wait for his rival and will move on from the clash to return to welterweight and aim for a world title. He stated: ''I'm not waiting. I'm not waiting around. I feel like my career has sort of been on hold to give the fans this fight, and I'm glad that the fight delivered, but now I've got to just tick the box off on my personal goals, which is winning a WBC world title. It's either [moving back down to] 147lbs for me or the rematch. I'm ready to honour my side of the agreement, which was a two-fight deal [at middleweight] and it's safe to say he's scared. He almost lost. It could have gone either way. To a welterweight."
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Conor Benn blames rival Chris Eubank Jr for proposed rematch ‘falling apart'
The British pair engaged in a ferocious battle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, with Eubank Jr prevailing by a close but clear unanimous decision to hand Benn his first defeat as a professional. Much of the focus centred on Eubank Jr's cut to the 160lb middleweight limit and subsequent rehydration clause, and the 35-year-old was hospitalised for two days after the fight owing to severe dehydration. Conor Benn's statement to The Ring's Mike Coppinger following the news that Riyadh Season won't be involved with the scheduled rematch against Chris Eubank Jr on Sept 20th. — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 17, 2025 A return bout had been in the offing for September 20 but it now appears on the verge of collapse, with Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season reportedly withdrawing from the negotiations. Benn said in a statement to Ring Magazine: 'This rematch falling apart had nothing to do with me. I was ready to go on the scheduled Sept 20 date. I'm not sure what happened to Chris Eubank.' The first fight rekindled memories of their fathers' fierce dust-ups, with Chris Eubank Sr defeating Nigel Benn in November 1990 before a hard-fought draw three years later. Eubank Sr was an outspoken critic of their children renewing the rivalry 32 years on, with Eubank Jr campaigning at middleweight or super-middleweight during his career and Benn primarily a welterweight. Eubank Jr incurred a £375,000 fine after missing the middleweight limit by half an ounce but came in under the stipulated rehydration weight of 170lbs on the day of the fight. The rematch was expected to be on the same weight terms but Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn cast doubt on Eubank Jr fighting again. Hearn told IFL TV: 'We've said to Eubank that is the date. And if you don't take the fight on that date, the fight doesn't work. 'There are no stadiums available. Commercially you guys are on a fortune. So if Eubank is not prepared to take the fight on September 20, I don't think there will be a fight. 'That's not my decision, that's a decision of (Alalshikh). Eubank probably can't be bothered to go back into camp. I'm not sure if he'll ever fight again. I've just got the feeling he doesn't want it.'
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Conor Benn blames rival Chris Eubank Jr for proposed rematch ‘falling apart'
The British pair engaged in a ferocious battle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, with Eubank Jr prevailing by a close but clear unanimous decision to hand Benn his first defeat as a professional. Much of the focus centred on Eubank Jr's cut to the 160lb middleweight limit and subsequent rehydration clause, and the 35-year-old was hospitalised for two days after the fight owing to severe dehydration. Conor Benn's statement to The Ring's Mike Coppinger following the news that Riyadh Season won't be involved with the scheduled rematch against Chris Eubank Jr on Sept 20th. — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 17, 2025 A return bout had been in the offing for September 20 but it now appears on the verge of collapse, with Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season reportedly withdrawing from the negotiations. Benn said in a statement to Ring Magazine: 'This rematch falling apart had nothing to do with me. I was ready to go on the scheduled Sept 20 date. I'm not sure what happened to Chris Eubank.' The first fight rekindled memories of their fathers' fierce dust-ups, with Chris Eubank Sr defeating Nigel Benn in November 1990 before a hard-fought draw three years later. Eubank Sr was an outspoken critic of their children renewing the rivalry 32 years on, with Eubank Jr campaigning at middleweight or super-middleweight during his career and Benn primarily a welterweight. Eubank Jr incurred a £375,000 fine after missing the middleweight limit by half an ounce but came in under the stipulated rehydration weight of 170lbs on the day of the fight. The rematch was expected to be on the same weight terms but Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn cast doubt on Eubank Jr fighting again. Hearn told IFL TV: 'We've said to Eubank that is the date. And if you don't take the fight on that date, the fight doesn't work. 'There are no stadiums available. Commercially you guys are on a fortune. So if Eubank is not prepared to take the fight on September 20, I don't think there will be a fight. 'That's not my decision, that's a decision of (Alalshikh). Eubank probably can't be bothered to go back into camp. I'm not sure if he'll ever fight again. I've just got the feeling he doesn't want it.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Conor Benn blames rival Chris Eubank Jr for proposed rematch ‘falling apart'
The British pair engaged in a ferocious battle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, with Eubank Jr prevailing by a close but clear unanimous decision to hand Benn his first defeat as a professional. Much of the focus centred on Eubank Jr's cut to the 160lb middleweight limit and subsequent rehydration clause, and the 35-year-old was hospitalised for two days after the fight owing to severe dehydration. Conor Benn's statement to The Ring's Mike Coppinger following the news that Riyadh Season won't be involved with the scheduled rematch against Chris Eubank Jr on Sept 20th. — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 17, 2025 A return bout had been in the offing for September 20 but it now appears on the verge of collapse, with Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season reportedly withdrawing from the negotiations. Benn said in a statement to Ring Magazine: 'This rematch falling apart had nothing to do with me. I was ready to go on the scheduled Sept 20 date. I'm not sure what happened to Chris Eubank.' The first fight rekindled memories of their fathers' fierce dust-ups, with Chris Eubank Sr defeating Nigel Benn in November 1990 before a hard-fought draw three years later. Eubank Sr was an outspoken critic of their children renewing the rivalry 32 years on, with Eubank Jr campaigning at middleweight or super-middleweight during his career and Benn primarily a welterweight. Eubank Jr incurred a £375,000 fine after missing the middleweight limit by half an ounce but came in under the stipulated rehydration weight of 170lbs on the day of the fight. Chris Eubank Jr, pictured, missed weight by half an ounce ahead of his fight against Conor Benn (Bradley Collyer/PA) The rematch was expected to be on the same weight terms but Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn cast doubt on Eubank Jr fighting again. Hearn told IFL TV: 'We've said to Eubank that is the date. And if you don't take the fight on that date, the fight doesn't work. 'There are no stadiums available. Commercially you guys are on a fortune. So if Eubank is not prepared to take the fight on September 20, I don't think there will be a fight. 'That's not my decision, that's a decision of (Alalshikh). Eubank probably can't be bothered to go back into camp. I'm not sure if he'll ever fight again. I've just got the feeling he doesn't want it.'
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Potentate visits city
His Highness, the Maharaj Sir Bhawani Singh, Bahadur of Jhalawar, the first of India's princes to visit New Zealand, arrived in Dunedin from Christchurch by the express last Highness is accompanied by Lieutenant-colonel R.A E. Benn, the Administrator of Jhalawar, Dr Bhoratia, Mr Khan (ADC), and two Indian valets. Mrs Benn is also included in the party. The Maharaj is the guest of the New Zealand Government, and Mr A. Wilson, tourist agent, Auckland, is in charge of the tour. The Mayor (Mr H.L. Tapley) and Mr D.B. Theomin welcomed his Highness on his arrival at the railway station. His Highness expects to leave on Monday for Queenstown, and will return to Dunedin on Wednesday, and will leave on Thursday. During his brief stay in Dunedin it is anticipated that he will be able to visit to several of the leading industrial factories, and also to make a motor trip on the Taieri. When approached last night, Lt-col Benn informed a representative of the Otago Daily Times that his Highness would not talk on political subjects. He was making his present tour expressly for health reasons, and while in New Zealand intended to visit the various beauty spots in the dominion. He said that Sir Bhawani was a great traveller, and had visited most of the countries in Europe. He took a keen interest in scientific matters, and it was during a period when he was carrying out research work at Oxford that his health had given way and he had been forced to travel to recuperate. Sir Bhawani is a noted educationalist, having founded district schools in his State, and is a great lover of books. His is said to be one of the finest libraries in India, the collection comprising between thirty and forty thousand books. He is keenly interested also in various branches of science. He was a member of a large number of scientific bodies in London and Paris. After he left New Zealand he would return to England via Panama, and would proceed thence through Italy to India. Work-life balance A neighbour of mine says that he put on a casual labourer to do some digging —15 shillings a day of eight hours. The man arrived twenty minutes late, but had "started on time" — came from South Dunedin. At ten he held a stop-work meeting across the street fence with a friend who chanced to be loafing around; at eleven he appeared at the kitchen door for morning tea and smoke-ho; from twelve to one was his lunch hour; at three, smoke-ho again and afternoon tea. — by 'Civis' Oil company mobilises An extensive scheme of distribution in Australia and New Zealand has been adopted by the Vacuum Oil Co, and will involve an outlay of £2,000,000. The idea behind the scheme is to distribute motor spirit, oils and kerosene even to outback parts expeditiously and at a minimum of cost. This is calculated to facilitate materially the development of rural areas and to increase the means of transport. Bulk-handling depots will be set up at Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin. In all towns of over 5000 people, what are termed tank stations will be erected at a cost of £20,000 each. The oils and motor spirit will be transported from the central depots to the inland tank stations by means of tank trucks on railways. In this way supplies will be constantly passing to the tank stations, the capacity of which will vary according to the requirements of the districts. A fleet of tank cars and wagons will also be maintained by the company to expedite despatch to country districts. The manager of the company (Mr Cornforth) states that the fleet of oil steamers will carry cargoes to the principal ports where the company has established depots. Although the complete scheme will not be working until October, certain portions of it may be utilised as they become available. The elimination of tins and cases in the distribution of petrol and oils is an important factor of the scheme. — ODT , 18.7.1925
