Boxer Conor Benn has revealed he felt little shock upon seeing the controversial video his rival Chris Eubank Jr posted following their rematch, which showed Eubank Jr unconscious in a hospital bed.
Benn Dismisses 'Sympathy Vote' and Questions Motives
The footage, which emerged weeks after their November bout, triggered widespread alarm across the boxing world. It led to intensified calls for Eubank Jr to retire and prompted a flood of online sympathy. Benn, however, remains unmoved by the reaction. He believes the focus should shift from the image itself to the reason it was shared publicly.
'I heard he had IBS throughout the last parts of training camp,' Benn stated. 'I heard it after the fight as well, or he's got a stomach cyst or whatever it is.' He added, 'Ultimately, I'm not really too concerned, to be honest. I know it's not a serious health condition.'
Benn is careful not to outright dismiss health concerns but is clear in his view that suffering is an inherent part of the profession. He argues fighters should not use it to reframe a defeat. 'I think people need to look deeper into the reasons as to why it's posted,' he said. 'There's a certain pattern here of sympathy vote and a victim mentality.'
'Modern-Day Gladiators': Benn Points to His Own Sacrifices
The son of legend Nigel Benn pointed to his own experiences as examples of what boxers routinely endure without public complaint. 'You don't see pictures of me making 152 for my fight in Vegas and I'm on the floor in a blanket, struggling to make the weight,' he remarked.
'Ultimately it's just part of the game. It's part of the sport we do. We're modern-day gladiators. You'll never hear me moan about anything.' He recalled entering a crucial rematch while carrying a significant injury, never suggesting it should alter the perception of the result.
'For one of my fights, I tore my tendon in my last spar of camp,' Benn revealed. 'That was my rematch against the Frenchman who had put me down in the first fight. Torn tendon, asthma, all of it and I'm good. I'm not here for sympathy.'
No Excuses: Benn Says Eubank Jr Should Retire
Benn acknowledges that every fighter, including Eubank Jr, faces challenges during training camp. However, he insists that choosing to step into the ring means accepting full responsibility for the outcome. 'Nobody has a perfect camp,' he said. 'I had issues in the first fight as well... but you'll never hear me make excuses.'
For Benn, the result of their rematch settled the matter conclusively. 'Ultimately, he thought he was good enough to come in and beat me on the night. Ultimately, he wasn't,' he stated. Benn believes he has fundamentally changed his rival. 'First time around, I took his soul. I could see it. He's not the same and he never will be the same again.'
This belief underpins Benn's view that Eubank Jr should now walk away from boxing. 'He will never get his soul back,' Benn said. 'Should he retire? He should retire, yeah. He should call it a day... If I was him, and I was his team, I'd call it a day.'
Despite the clear animosity, Benn insists his stance is rooted in the harsh realities of the sport rather than personal malice. 'Do I like him? No. Do I think he's a prat? Yes,' he admitted. 'But ultimately we're fighters, and you want to see him leave this game without any injuries... Don't overstay your welcome.'
While Eubank Jr has hinted at a possible comeback when fully fit, Benn is unconvinced. He did, however, leave the door open for a third fight. 'If he wants to fight, I'll happily beat him up at 168,' Benn declared. 'No problem. I'll do it for free.'
