Chris Eubank Jnr has branded promoter Eddie Hearn a “weasel” – and forced him off stage – during a chaotic, and at times incredibly emotional, press conference where the fighter also silenced the crowd discussing his estranged father and late brother.
Eubank Jr vs Benn | SUN 27 APRIL 5AM AEST | Two British boxing dynasties in the ring once again. 30 years of rivalry and hatred runs in their blood. | Order now on DAZN
In a highly entertaining performance, 35-year-old Eubank Jnr also forced the press conference feed to go silent at one point — with an apology popping up for bad language – while later promising to “erase” undefeated rival Conor Benn and heavyweight UK promoter Hearn from boxing entirely.
Elsewhere, the British boxing star also again urged Hearn to take a personal bet of one million pounds on the fight, interrupted his rival’s famed father Nigel Benn and took several shots at the undefeated welterweight’s past drug positives.
Having famously smacked Benn with an egg during a previous media encounter, it was words Eubank Jnr used this time around declaring of his hyped rival: “It’s about preparing to get this kid out of boxing.
“I have a duty to boxing, to the public, to the fans he’s lied to, who Eddie Hearn has lied to for the last two, three years … I have a duty to erase these guys from the picture.”
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One of the biggest fights in boxing is set to explode early this Sunday when Eubank Jnr and Benn throw down in a blockbuster involving some two years of jawing between the pair – and 35 years of history between the families.
Way back in the 1990s, it was the fighter’s fathers Chris Eubank Snr and Nigel Benn who contested two boxing classics which saw the former win their first epic showdown before the second finished in a split decision draw.
During Friday morning’s press conference however, it was their sons who exchanged words, with the pair moving between tense exchanges over weight to Eubank Jnr silencing the crowd when referencing the tragic 2021 passing of brother Sebastian, who suffered a heart attack in Dubai.
The fighter became visibly emotional during an exchange with Benn, who initially suggested the rival who has competed several times a division higher, and is also subject to a rehydration clause for this fight, “concentrate on getting your weight off fat boy”.
“Weight? What’s weight?” Eubank Jnr replied.
“Everyone is always talking about this weight thing.
“Yeah, the weight is painful. I’m in pain right now and I’ll be in even more pain tonight and tomorrow morning …”
Benn: “And then the worst pain you’ve ever experienced come Saturday night, I promise you that.”
Eubank Jnr, undeterred: “But the question I ask myself is ‘what is pain?’.
Benn: “Oh, shut up Chris”.
Eubank Jnr: “No, I’m serious.”
Benn: “Oh, shut up.”
Eubank Jnr: “I have a 31-year-old brother who is buried in the desert in Dubai, that’s pain.
“I have his son Raheem, who is three years old. He asks ‘why can’t I see my daddy, why can’t he take me to school?’ – that’s pain.
“My own father, a man I idolized for my entire life … we don’t speak, haven’t spoken for years. He thinks I’m a disgrace.
“You know, these things are what pain is to me. And if I can deal with all these trials and tribulations then the weight cut and the rehydration clause … these are not an issue, they’re not important, OK?”
‘You’re a disgrace!’ – Eubank SLAMS son | 00:37
Elsewhere, Eubank Jnr also took a big swing at UK promoter Hearn when Benn’s famed promoter, early in proceedings, took to the microphone to say “just a few thank yous …”
“Eeeeedie,” Eubank Jnr mocked over the top of him.
“I knew this was coming,” Hearn replied. “Do you know what, I’ve been thinking …
Eubank Jnr: “Of course it was coming, of course it was.”
Hearn: “Can I even say a few thank yous?”
Eubank Jnr: “No.”
Hearn: “Matchroom have to speak …”
Eubank Jnr: “No, they don’t have to speak.”
Hearn: “I’m going to firstly say how proud I am of Conor Benn …”
Eubank Jnr: “You don’t have to speak, I don’t wait to hear anything from you.”
Hearn: “And I can’t wait for him to smash you to pieces.”
At which point, and with Eubank Jnr still going, Hearn suggested he switch things up and hand the microphone to Matchroom CEO Frank Smith, who the fighter had also previously branded a “scumbag”.
But guess what?
“Frank,” Eubank Jnr started as he got on stage, “if Eddie isn’t speaking do you think you’re getting a word in?”
He wasn’t.
When Smith said he would be quick, Eubank Jnr replied: “You are going to be quick because you aren’t going to say anything”.
Still, Smith started again, only to again be cut off.
“If there’s a question to you or Eddie you can speak,” he said. “But outside of that I don’t want to hear a peep.
“So if you try to talk to me, or try to do your little speeches to the media, I’m going to shut it down.
“Because guess what? People aren’t here to listen to you or Eddie speak. The want to hear what me and Conor have to say.”
Then again: “You’re not going to out talk me. I don’t even know why you’re on stage. You should probably get Eddie back in.
“Eddie is irrelevant but you are …”
Smith: “Super irrelevant?”
Eubank Jnr: “Exactly.”
Later in proceedings, and with Hearn off stage, Eubank Jnr also reignited talk of their massive bet, asking: “Are we going to put the mill on or what?”
Hearn: “I’m allowed to talk now?”
Eubank Jnr: “Well, I asked you a question so of course. Get on the stage and answer …”
At which put Hearn returned to stage, tried to praise Benn, got interrupted again, so walked away while the fighter goaded “are you going to fulfill the bet or are you going to run away like the weasel that you are”.
Eubank Jnr then even suggested Hearn only need bet 900,000 pounds against his million, so the promoter could cover any potential fine he received from UK boxing authorities – which is apparently a sticking point for the wager taking place.
“As I’ve said to your promoter,” Hearn replied, “if I won’t face any penalties on my licence we can consider it.
“In the meantime, get back to the hotel, take that weight off and get prepared to get an absolute spanking on Saturday night.”
For Benn, meanwhile, it was a far more subdued press conference performance.
“I’m not going to lower myself to Chris,” he said at one point. “Go back and forth.
“All that PR is done.
“I’m excited to get in there and put my hands on him.
“Irrelevant of the rubbish he wants to talk, the names, we’re not at school …”
At which point Eubank interrupted: “You will be at school on Saturday my friend, I’m taking you right to school.”
Benn: “Well done, well done you.”
Eubank Jnr: “At school, I’m going to be the headmaster and you will be in detention.”
Benn: “You are funny Chris, you make me laugh. Just concentrate on getting your weight off fat boy.”
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