Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA summed up Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s thrilling fight in just nine words. The born rivals gave fans an instant classic over 12 gruelling rounds with Eubank Jr awarded a unanimous decision victory. Conor Benn was beaten by Chris Eubank Jr on pointsCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua summed up the fight in a nine-word statementCredit: GettyAnd former world heavyweight champion AJ summed up the feelings of the entire nation with his post-fight reaction. Joshua, 35, said: “Watching this fight makes me proud to be British.”The second generation grudge bout came 35 years after their dads’ famous first fight, which was won by Eubank Sr before a drw three years later. But the two-weight world champion threatened to boycott his son’s bout. READ MORE IN BOXINGEubank Sr warned his eldest should be fighting at super-middleweight and Benn never allowed to jump up from welterweight. His son also missed Friday’s 160lb middleweight limit by an agonising 0.05lb – and had to pay a painful £370,000 fine to Benn for doing so.But he did hit the 170lb rehydration cap on the morning of the bout – leading to concerns over his health heading into the fight.Eubank Jr looked destined to head into the fight of his life all on his own – until his dad made the most grand and surprising of entrances. Most read in BoxingEubank Jr vs Benn: SunSport’s verdictTHIRTY-FIVE YEARS of the Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr rivalry was settled with 36 minutes of violence.Yet with all the tremendous heart shown by both boxers, there wasn’t much technique, skill or finesse on display here.After tons of trash talking, egg throwing and mind games that have been played out to the world over the last three years, SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on what should be the final chapter in one of British boxing’s biggest beefs.Read here to find out why the 12-round slugfest should not be repeated – and why the rivalry should now be put to bed.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSr sent Spurs’ £1billion stadium into a frenzy after reuniting with his boy and later watching his victory. A rematch clause is in their contract with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh having already eyed Tottenham again for September.Conor Benn back in training just 48 hours after brutal fight with Chris Eubank Jr that put both boxers in hospitalBut Eubank Jr could choose to move back up in weight while Benn has options down at welterweight to fight WBC champion Mario Barrios.Both ended up in hospital with Benn being discharged first and heading right back into training just 48 hours after his first loss. He said: “Yes, people. Attack the week, make the days count.”School’s never out. Working, learning and staying in shape. The same, really.”I watched the fight back. I, personally, have me up a point. I wouldn’t mind a, you know, one point either way.”Four points is a bit wide, in my opinion. But you keep it moving. I ain’t gonna cry over spilt milk. I’ve got to do better than I do.”And work harder, if that’s possible, and work as smart as I can. We gotta keep it moving. We’re just getting started. Just getting started, baby.”Come on, attack the week. Let’s go.”Eubank Jr, 35, was also released on Monday morning and spoke out soon after on social media. He posted: “Well it took nearly 3 years but we finally got the job done.”Big shout out to everyone that supported the fight on Saturday & made it the once in a lifetime event that it was… without the fans none of this is possible, thank you.”Read More on The SunBenn, 28, reacted to Eubank being discharged by posting “Great news”, and a hand-clapping emoji.Eubank Jr celebrates victory with his dadCredit: Getty More

DANIEL DUBOIS nearly sparked a premature Wembley brawl with Oleksandr Usyk by PUSHING his heavyweight rival.The pair faced off at the home of English football on Monday morning for the first time since the announcement of their July joust.Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk faced off at Wembley on Monday to promote their July joustCredit: RICHARD PELHAM / QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS

Dubois upped the ante by shoving the unified heavyweight championCredit: X@QUEENSBERRYSecurity quickly intervened to stop a brawl from breaking outCredit: X@QUEENSBERRYThey intensely stared at one another in the centre circle before Dubois upped the ante by SHOVING the former undisputed heavyweight champion.Pound-for-pound king Usyk, 38, reacted by getting in a fighting stance.But security promptly jumped between the pair to ensure they didn’t prematurely trade blows on the hallowed Wembley turf.Boxing fans were quick to comment on the argy-bargy, with one writing on X: “Dubois flinched.”READ MORE ON USYK VS DUBOIS IIAnother said: “Usyk just smiles back. This will be a good fight.”And another said: “He’s definitely scared as f**k.”One remarked: “Pushed him and then proceeded to s**t himself when Usyk moved towards him.”Dubois and Usyk locked horns with one another in the unified heavyweight title showdown in Poland in August 2023.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSDaniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk first locked horns with one another in August 2023Credit: GETTYUndefeated Ukrainian Usyk won their Polish punch-up via ninth-round TKOCredit: RICHARD PELHAMUsyk retained the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring heavyweight titles with a ninth-round stoppage.Dubois thought he was on his way to winning the fight in the fifth round when he dropped Usyk with a thudding body shot.Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois LIVE RESULT: Latest fight updates as Usyk WINS epic title fight after controversial shotBut referee Luis Pabon deemed the punch to be a low blow and gave Usyk the allotted five minutes to recover.Pabon, however, controversially urged Usyk to take more time to recover after the fan favourite said he was ready to fight.Dubois and promoter Frank Warren appealed to the WBA to overturn the result of the fight to a no-contest due to Pabon’s questionable low-blow call.But their attempts to have the result of Usyk’s second defence of the unified heavyweight titles were KO’d by the Panama-based sanctioned body.And to say revenge is on the mind of ‘Triple D’ ahead of July 19’s undisputed straightener would be an understatement. The IBF heavyweight king said: “This is the fight I wanted and demanded and now I get my chance for revenge. “I should have won the first fight and was denied by the judgement of the referee.Read More on The Sun”So I will make no mistake this time around in front of my people at the national stadium in my home city. “I am a superior and more dangerous fighter now and Usyk will find this out for himself.”Daniel Dubois has vowed to avenge his crushing loss to Oleksandr UsykCredit: REUTERS More

CHRIS EUBANK JR and Conor Benn paid a touching but subtle tribute to their dads during their second generation grudge match. Eubank Sr shares Britain’s greatest rivalry with Benn’s father Nigel, who he beat in 1990 and drew with three years later. Chris Eubank Jr beat Conor Benn in their grudge matchCredit: GettyAnd he emotionally reunited with his son on the night of the fight – following their public falling out. Benn stepped out with Nigel to his dad’s old ring walk song Dangerous by Conroy Smith. And Eubank Jr was flanked by his old man – to the elation of Tottenham’s stadium – with Simply The Best blaring out. Eubank Sr of course having famously walked out to his fights to the Tina Turner classic. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut the tributes did not stop there as Benn wore all black shorts while Eubank Jr donned white and red. Fans were quick to point out they were the exact colours their dads fought in three decades ago. One said: “Both fighters came out in same the same shorts as their dads 35 years earlier in Eubank Jr vs Benn last night.”Another hailed: “Love that Eubank is wearing the same shorts his dad wore in his first fight with Benn.”Most read in BoxingEubank Sr beat Nigel Benn in 1990 with their sons wearing the same shots 35 years laterCredit: PACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third added: “He had the same colour shorts his dad had on in his first fight with Nigel.”Eubank Sr had been passionately against the fight due to the weight difference between the two born rivals. SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on Chris Eubank Jr’s win over Conor BennBenn, 28, is a natural welterweight while Eubank Jr, 35, missed the 160lb middleweight limit by 0.05lb and had a 10lb rehydration clause. But Eubank Sr sent Spurs’ stadium into a frenzy by returning to his son’s side – something he apparently always planned to do. He revealed after the fight: “I’m so proud of him. That’s my son. I was always going to be here.”Eubank Jr earned a unanimous points win with a clean sweep of 116-112 scorecards. He was taken to hospital as a precautionary on the night of his heroic victory with Benn joining him a day later. A rematch clause is in their contract with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh having already eyed Tottenham again for September. Eubank Jr vs Benn: SunSport’s verdictTHIRTY-FIVE YEARS of the Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr rivalry was settled with 36 minutes of violence.Yet with all the tremendous heart shown by both boxers, there wasn’t much technique, skill or finesse on display here.After tons of trash talking, egg throwing and mind games that have been played out to the world over the last three years, SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on what should be the final chapter in one of British boxing’s biggest beefs.Read here to find out why the 12-round slugfest should not be repeated – and why the rivalry should now be put to bed.But Eubank Jr could choose to move back up in weight while Benn has options down at welterweight to fight WBC champion Mario Barrios. Benn said: “Do I avenge the loss or move back to 147lbs and win a world title? If Barrios is watching, I’d love that,” Benn said.”But I feel like I just want to settle this.”Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn added: “In defeat, he’s become a superstar.”We have to think about what we do next, we’ve seen tonight he’s a world-class fighter and can win world titles. “We’ve got a rematch up at 160lbs but this kid has an unbelievable future and can be a superstar in this country, filling stadiums.Read More on The Sun”I think he can win the rematch but we have to think carefully about what we do because he’s been through an unbelievable amount.”I’d like to see him go back to 147lbs and fight for a world title.”Benn contemplated his next move in the post-fight press conferenceCredit: Getty More

CHRIS EUBANK JR made an incredible ring walk last weekend with his dad – who demanded some last-minute changes.The IBO middleweight champion went to war with Conor Benn in front of a sold-out crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday, nearly 32 years after their fathers’ controversial rematch.Chris Eubank Sr made a last-minute U-turn to be by Jr’s side for his clash with Conor bennCredit: GETTYThe pair made an iconic walk to the ring for the Tottenham tussleCredit: PASenior demanded some last-minute changes be made to his son’s walkoutCredit: talkSPORTEubank Sr initially refused to be part of the build-up to the fight but made an incredible last-minute appearance to be a part of his son’s big night.And Senior demanded that the DJ for the night make some short-notice changes to his son’s ring walk, which is still being talked about by boxing fans.Footage captured by talkSPORT showed the Brit boxing legend say to the DJ: “That part there, you can play that over and over.”The words are good, but that there, with the base, the audience will be like this, ‘Ohhh’ [shakes his entire body].”READ MORE ON EUBANK JR VS BENNSenior’s changes had the desired effect as the crowd went crazy as he walked his son to the ring.To add even more nostalgia to the event, the pair came out to Senior’s walkout music for the latter part of his career – ‘Simply The Best’ by Tina Turner.The crowd went wild as the iconic track blared throughout the stadium’s sound system.After the pair soaked in the atmosphere on a platform, the track eventually transitioned to a live orchestral version of Eubank Jr’s usual walkout song – ‘Still Dre’ by Dr Dre.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSEubank Jr and Benn, 35 and 28 respectively, put on a fight for the ages in what turned out to be a 12-round war.Eubank Jr edged a closely-contested clash via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the contest 116-112 in favour of the Hove hitman.SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on Chris Eubank Jr’s win over Conor BennHe said: “I knew I was capable of that. I just needed someone to bring that out of me.”I’m not going to lie, I did not expect that he’d be the guy to do that.”But the fact that our fathers did what they did all those years ago, it brings out a different soul, a different spirit.”That’s what we both showed here tonight. I pushed through.”There’s a lot of things that have been going on in my life that I’m not going to get into right now.”But I’m happy to have (my father) back with me.”We upheld the family name like we said we were going to do. Onwards and upwards from here.”Chris Eubank Jr edged an incredible 12-round war with Conor BennCredit: GETTY More