logo
Chris Eubank Sr held my hand in hospital and told me I'm the superior fighter, claims defeated Conor Benn

Chris Eubank Sr held my hand in hospital and told me I'm the superior fighter, claims defeated Conor Benn

The Irish Sun29-04-2025
CONOR BENN said he was comforted by Chris Eubank Jr's dad from his hospital bed following their brave battle.
Eubank Jr beat Benn to walk away from Tottenham's stadium
Advertisement
5
Conor Benn said he was comforted by Chris Eubank Jr's dad from his hospital bed
Credit: YouTube/iFL TV
5
Conor Benn with Chris Eubank Sr and his dad Nigel
Credit: AFP
But both ended up in the same hospital -
And Benn claimed Eubank Sr -
He told
"We were just talking, man. He's a vibe. He's a vibe. I mean half of it I don't know, half of it I couldn't understand what he was trying to say.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN BOXING
"Then the other half was me in and out of consciousness. Can't remember much."
Benn, 28, confirmed that Eubank Jr, 35, was only a few beds down from him after they were sent to hospital for precautionary checks.
He said: "I mean, it was a bit of a weird turn out, to be honest. It's like a family affair all of us at the hospital."
Eubank Sr had been vehemently against the second generation bout - which followed three decades after his win and draw over Benn's dad Nigel.
Advertisement
Most read in Boxing
Eubank Jr vs Benn: SunSport's verdict
THIRTY-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.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
He warned his son's best days at middleweight were over and Benn should not have been allowed to go up to 160lb.
Eubank Jr also missed weight on Friday's by an agonising 0.05lb - costing him £375,000 - while also being restricted to a 10lb rehydration limit.
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn in classy nods to their iconic dads during ringwalks for huge grudge fight
But - like a scene out of WWE - Eubank Sr did reunite with his boy - sending the 67,000 fans at Spurs' £1billion stadium wild.
Advertisement
And he watched as his severely dehydrated and exhausted son
A rematch clause is included in the contract but even Benn himself could turn it down to instead target welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
He said: "If the rematch doesn't happen I'd love to fight Barrios for the WBC world title, for sure.
"I'd love that to be my next fight if it's not Eubank."
Advertisement
Both men were out of hospital by Monday but Eubank Jr now
The former super-middleweight world title challenger shared footage of himself using what appeared to be a portable sauna blanket and sweat suit.
Both are prohibited under BBBoC rules and although they argue it is not clear when the video was taken - Eubank Jr faces a probe.
Benn meanwhile revealed he will fly out to New York to watch Ryan Garcia make his welterweight debut against Rolando Romero.
Advertisement
And Benn warned if he does indeed return to the 147lb division for his next fight - it KOs a rematch with Eubank forever.
He said: "I'd either do the rematch at 160 next or drop back down to 147 and stay there.
"I mean, it's a hard one for me to just accept that he's beaten me and not avenge the loss. We'll see but I know the rematch clause is there.
"All the terms have been agreed. We shall see."
Advertisement
5
Eubank Jr beat Benn by unanimous decision
Credit: Getty
5
WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios is another option for Benn
Credit: Getty
5
Benn says he will fly out to New York to watch Ryan Garcia fight
Credit: Getty
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Eamon McGee: Jimmy McGuinness is winning matches by making Donegal players believe
Eamon McGee: Jimmy McGuinness is winning matches by making Donegal players believe

RTÉ News​

time6 hours ago

  • RTÉ News​

Eamon McGee: Jimmy McGuinness is winning matches by making Donegal players believe

Donegal's most recent All-Ireland SFC final appearance is not on repeat in the McGee household. In fact, Eamon McGee, a champion with his brother, and now selector, Neil in 2012, admits the defeat two years later to Kerry evokes powerful pangs of regret. "I still haven't watched that game in total now," he tells RTÉ Sport ahead of the county's rematch in the 2025 decider this Sunday. "I've tried to make an attempt at it a few Christmases. You know, we're sitting doing nothing, throw it on YouTube, but it's just still too sore." It's not just the result - an early goal from Paul Geaney, who could be involved this weekend, helped Kerry hang on to win 2-09 to 0-12 - but also what he sees as "weaknesses" in preparation. "It's still too sore in terms of the way we just didn't turn up," said McGee. "And lots of regrets about the way we maybe went at it for the few weeks in the build-up. "One thing that really stood out was, we were nearly cheering for Kerry to beat Mayo in that brilliant semi-final, because we felt Kerry would be easier opposition. And I think that's where the weakness crept in. "Mayo were in a better place than 2012. They were just very unlucky. But when you think back, to say that about Kerry, who when they get to Croke Park… it was just extremely naive and it was silly thinking by those of us who took part. It shouldn't have bothered us who was playing. "I remember saying to one of the lads 'We're gonna win this final', and that shouldn't have come into our thinking at all until the analysis side of it. "There's a fine line. I've seen it from myself, and from other players, that line with confidence and arrogance, and I think maybe talking about opposition like Kerry in that manner, we had crossed over to arrogance. "But at the same time, you learn these things and I think [Jim] McGuinness, Neil, Colm [McFadden, selector], Michael [Murphy], Paddy [McBrearty], Ryan McHugh, will learn that. It's a different season now too, it's just coming straight out at you. But if they see any weakness at all, they're going to just jump on top of it because it's jeopardising their All-Ireland medal." McGuinness stepped down as manager two weeks after that final defeat to Kerry. His former assistant Rory Gallagher then led the team to successive Ulster finals but All-Ireland quarter-final exits. His successor Declan Bonner regained the Anglo-Celt Cup in 2018-19 but didn't get out of the Super 8s groups, or the province in the straight knock-out years of 2020-21. Donegal did get back to the Ulster final in 2022, losing after extra-time to Derry, but were knocked out by Armagh in the qualifiers. Paddy Carr took over for 2023 and stepped down after five months with relegation from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League looming. Making it as far as the preliminary quarter-finals under interim boss Aidan O'Rourke was subsequently seen as an achievement. Then, the return of the messiah. Back-to-back Ulsters. All-Ireland semi-final last year and final now. One of Donegal's first champions as a player in 1992, McGuinness has been involved in all four of the county's appearances on the big day, something that slightly concerns McGee. "We can't keep going back, putting out the Jim McGuinness bat signal every time we through a lull," he observed. "Why does it take McGuinness to come back and to get involved with the Donegal group, to get them to believe, to put the structures in place that support an elite environment and to put all these things in place, on the field, off the field, S&C? Why does it take Jim McGuinness to do that?" Perhaps the likes of McGee, his brother or McFadden, another member of the class of 2012, will find the answer in time. But what does he think is the secret to Jimmy winning so many matches? "It's numerous things. It's not just about his tactics. I'm delighted now that he has shut up a few of the boys down the country that would have said he was primarily a negative coach, and that he got lucky with a good group. "He had a good group in 2012, surely. But he's a revolutionary and a visionary and he has done the exact same thing now the second time round, with different players. "It's just that single-mindedness but if I was to pick one thing out of the many things that he brings, I think it's the belief, that he gets you to believe. "We had a wile inferiority complex in Donegal and I still believe parts of it do. Sometimes I see it creep in but I try my best not to to view us or myself in that manner, that we're as good as anybody else." Speaking to RTÉ Sport ahead of the final, the Donegal captain, McGee's former teammate Paddy McBrearty, admitted that finding a way to "curb the influence" of David Clifford would be crucial to his side's chances of victory. McGee thinks that Tyrone's approach in the semi-final proved one marker is not enough to restrict the Fossa sharpshooter, who scored 1-05 from play, but he suggests Armagh's quarter-final game plan of doubling up while standing off the other Kerry forwards is not the only alternative. "I thought Paudie Hampsey was hung out to dry," McGee said. "He is a good lad and he's been a top defender for a long, long time in Tyrone and, Ulster. He just couldn't do anything and I think when Clifford's in that frame of mind and in that form, I don't think he can be stopped in a 1 v 1. "Malachy [O'Rourke, Tyrone manager] in fairness came out afterwards and said that he made the wrong call. He went after the suppliers and tried to keep an eye on Clifford at the same time. And I don't think you can do that. "[Brendan] McCole will be tasked with Clifford. But McCole is going to need some kind of support or some kind of plan from that zonal defence of Donegal. It will be really interesting to see what way McGuinness goes at it now because he loves the zone and he has stuck to it. They're brilliant at smelling the threat and shutting it down. "I think you've got to double up. You've got to bring a savage defensive game, which McCole has shown, he has snuffed out numerous threats throughout the last three, four years. But you've also got to have someone there just to give yourself the best percentage chance, should he slip. "Within that zonal press, it's about keeping an eye on Clifford, but also recognising that you don't give O'Shea free shots. "Armagh doubled up, but their zonal press… You know Seanie O'Shea has it in his locker [to score two-pointers]. Letting him have a free shot at it is naive in the extreme. They [the Donegal defence] will not go to the three of them but should Paudie [Clifford] be picked up, Donegal will know that Seanie O'Shea, this is on his radar. Get out quick." Watch the All-Ireland Football Championship final, Donegal v Kerry, on Sunday from 2.15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Joe McCarthy to be given final chance to prove fitness as Andy Farrell contemplates changes
Joe McCarthy to be given final chance to prove fitness as Andy Farrell contemplates changes

RTÉ News​

time6 hours ago

  • RTÉ News​

Joe McCarthy to be given final chance to prove fitness as Andy Farrell contemplates changes

On paper, it should be an easy selection week for Andy Farrell. The British and Irish Lions bullied the Wallabies for large parts of Saturday's first Test win in Brisbane, and even though Australia never looked like mounting a miracle comeback, Farrell will have had plenty to think about when he and his coaches sat down for their final selection meeting for the second Test this morning. "I let everyone have their say," Farrell said, when asked how their selection meetings play out. "I play devil's advocate, and we thrash it out and we all agree. And that's it. That's exactly what we'll do again." Injuries will play a part in his selection, with second row Joe McCarthy's foot injury making him a major doubt, and the coach gave little away when asked if he's likely to be fit. "He hasn't trained so far [this week] but with the nature of the week, which is a bit different, we will see how he is for Thursday." It looks like the Ireland and Leinster lock will be given the opportunity to test out his injury when the squad train at Xavier College in the city-suburb of Kew, with Farrell (below) set to name his side shortly after. If he doesn't make the cut, then England's Ollie Chessum looks most likely to step into the second row to partner Maro Itoje, with Farrell unlikely to move Tadhg Beirne up from flanker, having dominated the Wallabies in Brisbane. Were Chessum to start, Farrell could look at getting another back row on the bench, rather than promoting James Ryan or Scott Cummings. It would be tough on Cummings, with the Scottish lock one of the better performers in last night's stodgy win against the First Nations and Pasifika XV, but the fact that he was left on the pitch for 80 minutes doesn't bode well for his chances. Likewise, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock both played wire to wire at Marvel Stadium, and Jac Morgan's departure early in the second half now makes him the frontrunner if a place becomes available on the bench. Given how the Lions destroyed the Wallabies pack in that first half at Suncorp, it's unlikely Farrell will tinker with the rest of his starting pack, but the way his side's performance fizzled out in Brisbane potentially puts a couple of bench places up for grabs, particularly with the Australian pack set to be far stronger this week, with Will Skelton, Rob Valetini (below) and David Porecki all expected to be named in the matchday 23 by Joe Schmidt at 4.30am Irish time. Luke Cowan-Dickie is fit again following concussion and could put Rónan Kelleher under pressure for the 16 shirt, while Ben Earl may face stiff competition from Morgan, even if McCarthy is cleared to play. It's in the backline where Farrell faces some big calls. Garry Ringrose returned in Tuesday's win against the First Nations and Pasifika XV and was one of the few standouts in an otherwise sloppy team performance. Prior to his concussion after the win against the Brumbies, the Leinster centre appeared to be leading Huw Jones for the 13 shirt, and although he looked back up to top speed at Marvel Stadium, the 63 minutes he played were more than Farrell would have bargained for. If Ringrose does get the decision, it will be fascinating to see whether Farrell is willing to retain Sione Tuipulotu at 12, or swap his midfield entirely and keep the all-Irish and all-Sottish partnerships. It would be a harsh call to drop Tuipulotu based on Saturday's win, and it's possible the Scots are retained in the starting team, with Ringrose a versatile bench option. Blair Kinghorn had some sloppy moments against the FNP side yesterday, but like Ringrose, he was tracking to be in the first choice squad at full-back before injuring his knee two games out from the first Test, and with Hugo Keenan (below) getting caught in the air for the opening Wallabies try at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, that position could become a coin-toss. Kinghorn's versatility could also come to his benefit. The Scotland international made his first tour appearance on the wing, and if Mack Hansen fails to recover from the foot injury which has troubled him in recent weeks, he could be an option on the right wing after Tommy Freeman failed to fire. It would be a bold call for Farrell to make so many changes to a winning formula, but not an unprecedented one. Four years ago Warren Gatland changed three of his starting team after the first Test victory against the Springboks, while Farrell was an assistant to the New Zealander in Australia 12 years ago when there were five changes made ahead of the second Test in Melbourne. The Lions lost on both occasions, a cautionary tale against tinkering with a victorious Test team.

Fears for Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz partnership as US Open already hit by high-profile withdrawals
Fears for Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz partnership as US Open already hit by high-profile withdrawals

The Irish Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Fears for Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz partnership as US Open already hit by high-profile withdrawals

FEARS over Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz's partnership are on the rise after the US Open was hit by high-profile withdrawals. Raducanu and Alcaraz were among the teams announced for the new format of the mixed doubles event in New York in August. Advertisement 4 Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu have entered the US Open mixed doubles together Credit: Getty 4 The tennis stars posed for an Evian commercial amid rumours of a romance Credit: Getty The pair, who have both won the US Open singles, were then Raducanu even However, several other partnerships have already pulled out of the controversial event. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa initially entered. Advertisement READ MORE ON TENNIS But they have since removed themselves from the entrant list. That comes amid reports the Then Jack Draper and Zheng Qinwen also revoked their entry as they both battle injuries. British No1 Draper admitted at Wimbledon that he "thinks it was me who messaged" his partner - all but revealing it was all done by his agency IMG. Advertisement Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Other pairings such as Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro and Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic remain on the entry list. But there are Emma Raducanu jokes 'I wouldn't know about heartbreak' after Olivia Rodrigo watches her Wimbledon win Tennis fans are desperate to see 'Radalcaraz' in action together. Advertisement However, there is a chance they may follow suit and withdraw - to give themselves the best chance of success in the singles. Also, the British-Spanish duo may not actually qualify. Only the top eight pairs by singles ranking are guaranteed to get in. However, US Open chiefs would surely give Advertisement 4 In total, 25 pairs are now on the entry list - with 16 spots available Credit: US Open Eleven new teams have put their names forward to play in the innovative competition, taking the total entries up to 25 - with 16 getting in. Among them are engaged couple Katie Boulter and Alex De Minaur plus Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune, Siniakova has 11 Grand Slam titles - including all four in women's doubles and the Wimbledon 2025 mixed doubles crown. Advertisement The Czech doubles specialist blasted the rejigged tournament, which will be staged the week before the singles action gets underway with $1million up for grabs for the winners and a 'fast four' format with shorter sets. Siniakova, who is reliant on a wildcard, said: "When two world No. 1s in doubles don't get into the tournament, there's probably nothing more to say about it. 'I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if I won't get it, actually. I will just keep it like this.' 4 Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas split up and withdrew their entry Credit: Getty Advertisement

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store