Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn expressed immense pride in Conor Benn`s performance against Chris Eubank Jr, despite the judges` decision going the other way. Speaking after the fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Hearn called the bout “very close” and suggested it “could have gone either way,” indicating optimism for Benn`s future.
I couldn`t be prouder of Conor Benn,” Hearn stated enthusiastically. “When you get a fight like that, I can`t really complain, because boxing won tonight.
He emphasized the difficult journey Benn has had:
This young man has been through so much. He`s become the people`s champion and a huge star in British boxing.” Hearn also paid tribute to Eubank Jr, saying, “Respect to Junior, I thought he showed unbelievable toughness. I hope he`s okay. I heard he might have a broken jaw, hopefully that`s not true. I was just blown away by the performance tonight.
As the intense, back-and-forth final round unfolded, Hearn reflected not only on the immediate action but also on the significant disadvantages Benn had overcome leading up to the fight.
Hearn listed these challenges: “14 months out of the ring, all the mental and emotional problems he`s faced over the past couple of years.”
He highlighted Benn`s significant weight jump: “Coming up two divisions to fight a much bigger opponent. Everyone was focused on Chris Eubank making the weight he`s competed at for the last two years. Conor hasn`t even turned his phone on yet [referring to the expected positive reception].”
Expressing anticipation for public support, Hearn said:
I`m so excited to see the reception he`s going to get. You know the hell he`s been through for the last two and a half years, how difficult his life has been, and what he`s had to overcome. I know the British public; he`s become a hero tonight, and I`m incredibly happy for him.
As is typical in boxing, discussions quickly turned to the future. A rematch is likely to be considered, despite concerns about Eubank Jr.`s ability to safely make the middleweight limit (160 lbs) and Benn being naturally a welterweight (147 lbs).
While acknowledging the difficulty, Hearn added:
I don`t want him having too many fights like that. There are so many disadvantages at middleweight, but he stood there and absorbed everything Chris Eubank Jr threw at him. He rocked Eubank repeatedly. With a bit more sharpness and the experience he gained tonight, he can probably beat him.
Alternatively, Benn could return to his natural welterweight division to challenge top contenders like Jaron `Boots` Ennis or Mario Barrios.
Hearn confidently stated, “He beats Mario Barrios easily.” He also positioned Benn as a major draw:
He can fill any arena in the country now because we have a young superstar. Not Eubank who`s 35, not Fury in his mid-30s. Not the older guys.
He`s a 28-year-old with a compelling backstory who can entertain fans from start to finish. He never stopped trying to win the fight, not just survive, but win, and the British public loves that.
