Chris Eubank Jr stands accused of ignoring his trainer's desperate pleas during a one-sided defeat to Conor Benn in their highly anticipated rematch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Brighton fighter was comprehensively outboxed by his rival on Saturday night, offering little resistance to Benn's superior speed and punishing body shots. The judges scored the fight as a unanimous decision victory for Benn, with a strong case to be made that he won every single round.
Bellew's Stinging Critique
Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, providing analysis for DAZN, did not hold back in his assessment, placing the blame squarely on Eubank Jr's shoulders for failing to follow the game plan laid out by his respected trainer, Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre.
"This version of Conor Benn will beat him 10 times out of 10," Bellew stated bluntly. "He can't deal with boxing someone who is quicker than him. And that's the problem. He wasn't listening to BoMac."
Bellew described a frustrating scene in the corner, revealing that BoMac was screaming the right instructions for Eubank Jr to follow, but the fighter chose not to heed the advice. The trainer was reportedly urging Eubank Jr to use his jab to create distance and manage the fight, a tactic that was repeatedly ignored.
A Costly Failure to Listen
Bellew used a pointed analogy to emphasise his frustration, remarking, "He's the most expensive man in the world and you've paid him just to give you a drink." Despite the criticism, Bellew did credit both fighters for their bravery, calling them "absolute warriors."
This rematch marked a reunion for Eubank Jr and trainer BoMac, who had previously worked together for Eubank Jr's victory over Liam Smith in September 2023. However, their partnership was unable to secure a different outcome against a dominant Benn.
What Comes Next?
In the aftermath, Eubank Jr suggested he would be open to a trilogy fight, hoping for another chance to settle the score. Benn, however, appears to consider their rivalry finished.
Instead, the victorious Benn has his sights set on bigger prizes, explicitly calling out a host of big names in the welterweight division. He declared his interest in facing WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, as well as American stars like Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero, and Devin Haney.
"I fancy [Mario] Barrios for the WBC world title, Ryan Garcia, [Rolly] Romero, Devin Haney, all of them yanks can get it," Benn said. "Any day of the week, and twice on Sundays."
