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      I felt sick after I cheered Chris Eubank Sr’s most infamous punch, but now he’s the hero of Eubank Jr vs Benn farce

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      IT’S the most high-profile boxing event staged in Britain so far this year — which says everything you need to know about the state of the fight game.Chris Eubank Jr versus Conor Benn has more in common with the grotesque YouTube celebrity bouts of Jake Paul & Co than the classic world title fights their fathers contested in the 1990s.Chris Eubank Sr is the only man from the Eubank-Benn dynasties who comes out of this farce with any creditCredit: GettyChris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are due to fight on Saturday nightCredit: GettySr is not on speaking terms with his over and has lambasted him over this fightCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe venue, fittingly, will be the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — home to some of football’s greatest clown shows this season.A full house of 60,000 will witness a scrap between a natural super-middleweight who has never quite been world class and a natural welterweight who is nowhere near world class.And yet millions will be gripped by it simply because Eubank and Benn carry the names of their fathers — infinitely better fighters, with far more compelling personalities, who fought two world super-middleweight title battles more than 30 years ago.But what’s in a name? That which we call a rotten egg, by any other name would stink just as bad.READ MORE IN BOXINGThose spectators and TV viewers might as well head to the M25 and rubber-neck at a car-crash site.The sporting integrity of tonight’s fight was highly questionable even before Conor failed a drug test for the female fertility drug clomifene ahead of its original scheduling, for the O2 Arena, in October 2022.Now the venue is bigger, the purse has been doubled by Saudi money — and the question of integrity is laughable.When the pair met at a February press conference, Eubank slapped Benn with an egg, mocking his explanations for how performance-enhancing clomifene had entered his system. Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBenn has been cleared to fight because his guilt was not proven due to legal, rather than scientific, technicalities.Back in 2017, I separately interviewed the Eubanks, Chris Sr and Jr, and the Benns, Nigel and Conor, for SunSport articles.Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight thrown into more chaos amid row over glovesOn both occasions, I asked whether Eubank Jr may one day fight Conor and, from both families, it was met with the derision it deserved.It’s funny how the offer of £7million apiece can alter opinions.These two families, more than most in boxing, understand the deep dangers involved in their sport, even when two elite fighters clash at their correct weights.Nigel Benn almost killed Gerald McClellan in one of the most brutal bouts ever seen in a British ring in 1995.Chris Eubank Sr nearly killed Michael Watson at the old White Hart Lane, just yards away from tonight’s venue, in 1991.I was there as a teenager, roaring on Eubank in a venue dominated by Watson fans.When Eubank detonated an uppercut on Watson’s chin it was one of the most thrilling sporting moments I’ve witnessed.It wasn’t until the next day I learned Eubank’s punch had left Watson in a coma. He would suffer permanent brain damage.That I’d cheered that punch left me feeling sick — and refusing to watch boxing for years.Boxing doesn’t have a God-given right to exist. If it were invented today it would never be legally sanctioned.It needs integrity. It demands stringent levels of safety. It must be clean. And it requires a level playing field. It’s highly questionable whether tonight’s fight has any of that.Read More on The SunEubank Sr, who is no longer on speaking terms with his son, has had nothing to do with this entire circus.As a result, he is the one member of either fighting dynasty to emerge with any credit.Michael Watson suffered a near fatal brain injury after an uppercut from Eubank SrCredit: Getty More

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      Man City’s Premier League rivals to be forced into paying out £5MILLLION each if Man City win legal battle

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S Premier League rivals each face a £5MILLION bill — if the dethroned champions win their crunch legal battle with League bosses.Under Prem rules, costs are taken away from the amount distributed between top-flight clubs from broadcast and commercial deals.Manchester City’s rivals face £5m bills if they win their legal battleCredit: EPARivals Manchester United would be hit with the hefty billCredit: PAArsenal would have to fork out the cash tooCredit: EPAWhile a verdict on Pep Guardiola’s City’s 130 alleged breaches of financial rules is yet to come, it is anticipated the total legal bill for both sides could reach £100m.Earlier this month, it emerged “administrative expenses”, including legal fees, hit £200.2m last season.It was initially understood legal bills for the campaign would be around £8m.But Prem chiefs were caught in a series of rule disputes and challenges against City, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity’s win in the first Associated Party Transaction case in February saw Etihad bosses demand the Prem meet the club’s £10m legal costs in addition to their own bills.City faced 130 allegations when their financial rules case was heard by a commission last autumn.If the charges are proved, it is understood there will be a separate “sanctions hearing”.But a City win would almost certainly result in the club demanding a full recovery of their costs.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThis would see the legal bill split between the 19 other clubs, who stand to lose £5m each.It would be a hefty hit with Profitability and Sustainability Rules in place until next season at least.Pep Guardiola aims sly dig at rivals Man Utd hours after their heroic Europa League comeback More

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      Chris Eubank Jr net worth and how much he is getting paid for Conor Benn grudge match

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR has been raised around wealth due to his boxing mogul of a father – but he has gone a long time without using daddy’s credit card.Win, lose or draw, Eubank Jr’s illustrious career has seen him secure several high paydays.Chris Eubank Jr is set to earn his biggest paydayCredit: GettyAnd the British star is expecting a significant boost in his career earning as he is set to finally settle a long-winded feud with bitter rival Conor Benn.EUBANK JR VS BENN – BETTING TIPS AND LATEST ODDSWhat is Chris Eubank Jr’s net worth?Chris Eubank Jr’s last reported net worth is around £5million.However, that figure is likely to have increased as the British boxer earned £2.4m for his bouts Liam Smith in 2023.And Eubank Jr reportedly took home a further £850k for his most recent win against Kamil Szeremeta.Read more on Chris Eubank JrLooking further back, the son of boxing legend Chris Eubank also pocketed £775k for his loss to George Groves before beating Liam Williams to earn £1m.In total, his reported earnings from professional fights add up to around £6m.Eubank Jr also has a car collection just worth under £1m which includes a £215,000 Lamborghini Huracan and a £218,000 McLaren 720S.But his upcoming fight against Conor Benn is expected to be his biggest payday yet.Most read in BoxingHow much is Chris Eubank Jr getting paid for Conor Benn grudge match?It has been widely reported that Chris Eubank Jr will take home £10m of the £18m purse to fight Conor Benn.And Eubank Jr broke his silence on the contract situation.The Brit boxer said: “Many of you would have heard Eddie boasting about a 60-40 split he secured for Conor.”That’s just an absolute lie, which is not surprising. The truth of it is, Uncle Turki flew in and saved the day like the superhero he is.”This is the Saudi show, he called me and said, ‘What do you want to make this fight?'”I’m sitting there thinking, ‘I’ve got to be a businessman now, and any good businessman in any negotiation, starts with an aggressively high number, then there are counter offers and negotiating and you get to the number.”I gave him a diabolical number, I gave him an inconceivable number, and he said, ‘Done, I’ll send you the contract on Monday.’ I’m thinking I could have got more, or a couple of watches out of him!”There is no split, there are no percentages, you lied to the public in front of everybody and now I’m setting this straight.”Read More on The SunHowever, Eubank Jr will have to pay £375k of his earnings after FAILING to meet the weight at the weigh-in.When is Eubank Jr vs Benn?Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn takes place on Saturday, April 26.Ring walks are set to take place from 10pm BSTThe Tottenham Hotspur Stadium plays host. More

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      I’ve been relegated and promoted from the Premier League – here’s how Leeds and Burnley can escape ‘yo-yo’ curse

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      SO now we know four  of the six clubs who will be promoted to or relegated from the Premier League.And we need to make sure this magnificent competition remains a meritocracy.Burnley have bounced back to the Prem under Scott ParkerCredit: RexLeeds are also returning to the top flight with two games to spareCredit: RexKarren Brady has seen relegation and promotion during her time as West Ham vice-chairmanCredit: GettyI’ve heard some supporters say: “It’s the same clubs going up and down” — but that’s  just not true. While this season the ‘three-up, three down’ did happen — or is about to — over the years that has not been a regular trend.There have been some yo-yo clubs, but remember in 2021-22 all the promoted clubs stayed in the Premier League and flourished.Just look where they are now. Fulham, Bournemouth and Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest are all in the top half.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSo, it can be done and we want to make sure that remains the case, in order to uphold the Prem as world football’s most vibrant and exciting domestic competition.Heck, we must be doing something right as the average top-flight  attendance this season is more than 40,000 and the full-house signs are up everywhere. A decade ago that figure was 36,000 and 20 years ago it was 33,000.If you analyse the stats, relegated clubs from the Prem finish on average ninth in their first  season in the Championship, then 12th in their second season.Most read in FootballThriving Nottingham Forest are fourth in the Prem after beating SpursCredit: RexBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThat does not suggest there is a long-term trend for teams  bouncing between the two leagues but it does mean we must keep a very close eye on the situation as the Prem should reward success, as well as punish failure.What we have to ensure is that on any given day any side can beat anyone else in the Prem.Scott Parker sheds tears in emotional celebration with family as Burnley boss retains hundred per cent promotion recordForest won at Liverpool in  September, just as Fulham beat the champions-elect this month.Ditto Arsenal, who lost at home to West Ham in February.Also, Forest, Bournemouth,  Fulham and Brighton are all in the top half, with Brentford 11th and Crystal Palace 12th. That suggests merit is alive and kicking.To those clubs chasing the Prem dream . . . good luck.So far Sheffield United and Sunderland have booked themselves two of the four play-off  places and both clubs will know that promotion to the top flight will bring unbridled joy to fans.It is the Willy Wonka golden ticket and the financial windfall can change the future.You are then in the big league, performing in front of a global audience of billions.There is increased revenue from TV money, sponsorships, attendances and countless other commercial opportunities which come knocking, whereas for those clubs who get relegated from the Prem it is a tough world out there.Cost-cutting is the name of the game as revenue drops by millions in one hit. I know, I’ve been there.Without parachute payments, the tough task of remaining in the Prem gets even tougher and relegation is ArmageddonI’ve lived with the pain of relegation and  joy of promotion and, believe me, you never forget either.The challenge for whichever club joins Burnley and Leeds in the Prem next season is sustainability.Spend wisely and don’t go overboard in the transfer market.There are examples of clubs who have managed the leap into the Prem after showing resilience and building strong foundations.They have spent on the right players, appointed the right manager and have treated survival as a starting point, not the finishing line.Promotion to the Prem can make or break you and if the powers-that-be abolish parachute payments — which they have threatened to — I predict a very bleak future for some clubs.Without parachute payments, the tough task of remaining in the Prem gets even tougher and relegation is Armageddon.Read More on The SunAs we near the last few hurdles in the campaign, some will dream and some will turn to despair.And that’s why it remains the game we all love. More

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      Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn: Who is on commentary for DAZN and Sky Sports in huge grudge match at Tottenham?

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      BOXING fans do not have long to wait for the MASSIVE Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn grudge match.Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are just a few days away from continuing their fathers’ rivalry and cementing their own legacy.Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn finally meet in the ring on SaturdayCredit: GettyEubank Jr come into this fight with a record of 34-3 with 25 KO victories whereas Benn comes in at a perfect record of 23-0 with 14 KOs.Conor Benn’s record may not even matter in this fight as he’s had to catapult up to two weight classes to middleweight just to be eligible to fight Eubank Jr.Eubank Jr is bigger and has the experience over Benn but can he cause a shock victory?Who’s on commentary for this bout?DAZN have announced that the ‘Voice of Boxing’ Adam Smith will be on main commentary duties. read more Eubank Jr vs BennHe will be joined by two former world champions in Barry Jones and Darren Barker, while two other world champions – Carl Frampton and Tony Bellew – are on pundit duties.Former Love Islander Josh Denzel is on hosting duties, while Jamie Ward will be doing the in-ring interviews. Chelsea fan Olivia Buzaglo will be on reporting duties from the bowels of the stadium.Sky Sports have not announced their commentary team at the time of writing.Most read in BoxingTheir coverage is expected to feature regulars such as Johnny Nelson and Anna Woolhouse.Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor BennTHE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st CenturyFamilial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person.SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard.Latest NewsAll the infoWhen is Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn?Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn takes place on Saturday, April 26.Ring walks for the main event are set to take place at 10pm BST.Coverage for the event begins at 5pm BST.How to watch Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn and is there a live stream?Sky Sports and DAZN have rights to the event.The card is pay-per-view and will cost £19.95 – it will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV.The fight can also be streamed on Sky GO and the DAZN website to paying customers.SunSport will live blog all the action as it happens.Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn full cardChris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn (Middleweight)Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur (Light heavyweight)Liam Smith vs Aaron McKenna (Middleweight)Chris Billam-Smith vs Brandon Glanton (Cruiserweight)Viddal Riley vs Cheavon Clarke (Cruiserweight) More

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      Chris Eubank Jr looks like a ghost as he vows to inflict serious pain while Conor Benn is hit with ‘mother hen’ fan jibe

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR vowed to inflict very real pain on Conor Benn despite looking like a ghost at his failed weigh-in and being hit with a £350,000 fine.The 35-year-old Brighton man needed two attempts at making the middleweight limit of 11st 6lbs but he blew it.Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn swapped more heated wordsCredit: GettyEubank Jr’s reduced frame size shocked many observersCredit: GettyThe all-Brit battle fight takes place at middleweight on Saturday nightCredit: GettyAfter a long night and morning sweating in sauna suits, Eubank Jr weighed 160.2lbs and was facing a £750,000 penalty.After, even after he went away and melted a few more beads of sweat out of his already depleted 5ft 11in frame, he only managed to dry himself down to 160.05lbs and his fine was halved.The son of British ring legend Chris Sr looked emaciated on the scales and can only replenish by up to 10lbs on Saturday morning or be hit in the pocket again, where his £8million purse is headed.But despite the gruelling and dangerous weight cut, he vowed to punish Benn for the two failed 2022 doping tests that kyboshed their original clash.READ MORE BOXING NEWSHe said: “If they want to take half-a-million dollars off of me for being .05lbs off the limit, then that’s the sort of people that Conor and Eddie Hearn are.“But weights have no relevance to what happens in the ring, I am just going to stop this guy.“The rehydration rule is still in place, so I have to watch what I eat and drink.“It’s all designed to get me off track – but none of it will work.Most read in BoxingBenn couldn’t give a cluck about one fan’s fowl insultCredit: GettyThe posing is almost over as the showdown loomsCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“He’s in for a helluva surprise.“He thinks he will hop, skip and jump into landing a right hand on me but he has no idea how much pain I have in store for him tomorrow.”Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight thrown into more chaos amid row over glovesBenn entered The Islington venue with a large entourage to a mixed reception, the 28-year-old got a few cheers but also some loud ‘Eubank’ chants.One boxing fan, familiar with the contaminated-eggs excuse the WBC gave Benn for one of his failed tests, shouted out “hello mother hen”.Benn needlessly stripped off the ceremonial photo-shoot weigh-in, with the official one taking place eight hours earlier.And he showed off a giant diamond necklace, almost the size of his bearded head.The final stare-down was intense but short as Benn broke away from the gaze to flex his muscles and growl again.He said: “It’s an expensive price to pay but he is experienced and has made the weight lots of times.“But now he’s looking for sympathy and he won’t get any hereRead More on The Sun“I am not scared or intimidated.“I am there to get in there and get the stoppage, I am going there to take his head clean off.”Eubank Jr says he will overcome all obstacles put in his ‘track’Credit: GettyBenn claims he has no fear of his confident rivalCredit: Getty More

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      Former Premier League manager, 65, looking to achieve ‘career highlight’ promotion with sixth tier side

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      PHIL BROWN famously won promotion with Hull to the Premier League and kept them up for a season.But today he aims to get Kidderminster back into the National League.Phil Brown is aiming to achieve a ‘career highlight’ with KidderminsterCredit: AlamyBrown famously won promotion with Hull to the Premier League and kept them up for a seasonCredit: GettyKiddy travel to Southport where victory will guarantee them the National North title and automatic promotion — with Brackley only behind on goal difference and Scunthorpe two points back.Only one side goes up automatically with the next six going into the play-offs.Brown, 65, took the Tigers up in 2009 and also won promotion to League One with Southend in 2015. He has also managed Derby, Preston and Barrow.And he told SunSport: “This will be a career highlight. It really does feel more exciting than getting promoted to the Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I’ve won two promotions as a manager and me and my assistant Neil McDonald were also part of Sam Allardyce’s backroom team at Bolton. But this does feel special.“I might have been there, seen it and done it — and everyone seems to think if you’ve had success in the Premier League you should be able to have success in the lower divisions.”That’s a load of rubbish. The bottom line is if your owners aren’t allowing you to do things, right then you’re going to have a problem. “You’ve got to cut your cloth accordingly and myself and Macca have learned a lot about the process of being successful.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“Macca worked with Sam at Blackburn and West Ham too — and he has assisted me in the past — and having the right backroom team is key.”Kiddy incredibly pulled in 5,341 fans for Monday’s league game with Hereford — beating the 5,327 they attracted for the 2022 FA Cup game against Premier League big-guns West Ham.Why Mo Salah and James Maddison will be pivotal in Liverpool Spurs clash | Experts’ best bets – Weekend WagerAllardyce, who is from nearby Dudley, put on an “Evening with Sam Allardyce” in November and attended their game against Burton the next day.Brown said: “He came into the changing room on Saturday, gave a team talk and then watched the match. It was brilliant — you have these sorts of people who have parallels with non-league football.“I used to work with Brian Horton, who managed Manchester City back in the day, and he gave Harriers a glowing endorsement.”He said, ‘Kidderminster are one of the biggest non-league clubs.”They’ve been in the EFL before under Jan Molby and if you can get them going there’s no reason why you cannot take them back into the Football League.”Brown famously serenaded Hull fans with The Beach Boys’ classic Sloop John B after the club stayed up in the Premier League on the final day of the season in 2010.The Geordie says he still loves to sing and said: “I’ve got my daughter’s christening in May and can promise you I’ll be up on the microphone most of the night.”Although he would not share his playlist, Brown highly recommends giving a listen to Front Door Famous by country singer Luke Combs.He said: “My motivation in life is always to make my family proud.Read More on The Sun”There’s a great song called Front Door Famous.”He makes the point, ‘You walk through your front door and it doesn’t matter who the f***ing hell you are, your kids run up to you and say, ‘daddy’ and that is what life should be all about.” More

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      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s brother Christian, 26, on brink of ‘winning TWO league titles in one day’

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      CHRISTIAN OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN can follow in his famous brother’s footsteps – by winning a league title.It may not be the stature of the Premier League crown Alex lifted with Liverpool five years ago — but his team Truro City can win the National League South by beating St Albans City.Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the brink of title success with Truro CityCredit: RexChristian is the brother of former Liverpool star and Premier League champion Alex Oxlade- ChamberlainCredit: INSTAGRAM @christian_ox98That would make them the first Cornish team ever to get within one tier of the EFL.Incredibly they are one of SIX clubs who can win the title going into the final day. Truro lead Devon rivals Torquay on goal difference by just two with Eastbourne, Worthing, Boreham Wood and Dorking all in with a shout.And Oxlade-Chamberlain, 26, told SunSport: “If we were to get the job done, it’ll be the biggest achievement of my career.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Everyone is so excited down here because we’re on the brink of making history for Truro and the whole of Cornwall.“We’ve been getting some great crowds this season — averaging just under 1,800 — with amazing atmospheres.“We got more than 3,300 for the Torquay game last Friday. It’s a sellout on Saturday and hopefully we can make the city proud.”Ironically, Oxlade-Chamberlain is on a season-long loan from Kidderminster, who lead the National North going into the final game.Most read in FootballAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain now plays in Turkey with BesiktasCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEven his brother — currently playing in Turkey for Besiktas — has been eagerly following Truro’s fortunes, watching highlights on YouTube.But Oxlade-Chamberlain laughed: “When we let a goal in against Torquay, he texted me, ‘What were you doing? Crap defending.’ He deleted the word ‘Crap’ and admitted he was a bit harsh!Liverpool fans work out where guard of honour could be with Steven Gerrard humiliation in line to be avenged a decade on“Alex is a lot more forceful with his advice and opinion than my dad. He hasn’t been over to a game yet. They don’t do flights from Istanbul to Newquay!”Oxlade-Chamberlain is lucky to have both a brother and dad who have not only played at the top level but for England too.Mark Chamberlain played in the top division for Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth as well as won eight caps, scoring one goal.While Alex played for Arsenal and Liverpool, winning 35 caps and scoring seven goals.Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “They’ve both been an inspiration.My dad is a great coach. I remember once playing against Aldershot for Portsmouth’s youth side and I kept giving the ball away so stopped trying to get on it.“Afterwards driving home, he said, ‘Never hide again. Always get on the ball and try to do the right things, don’t be frightened to make mistakes.’They’ve both been an inspirationChristian Oxlade-Chamberlain“It was pretty cool watching Alex come through and going to all the big stadiums. It inspired me to want to be a footballer.“We used to play together as kids on a big field near our house and when he was at Southampton I’d pick up the cones and balls after training.”They had players like Luke Shaw, Harrison Reed and Calum Chambers coming through at the time.“The biggest thing I admire about my dad was the way he stood up to racism as a player.”He’s told me stories about Millwall fans lobbing bananas at him and he’d pick one up and eat it! That is so resilient.“While my brother, the way he has bounced back from so many injuries. It gets harder but he stays professional, does rehab and gets back. He’s a strong person.”Oxlade-Chamberlain came through the ranks at Portsmouth before moving to Notts County before they got relegated into the National League.He has done the non-league hard yards with Gosport, Aldershot, King’s Lynn and Kidderminster.Read More on The SunAnd he said: “I made a couple of appearances for Notts County in the League and it would be great to get back to that level again.”To win a title on Saturday would be something to be proud of.”Christian’s dad Mark represented England eight timesCredit: Rex More