Chris Eubank Sr wants to pull Chris Jr out of ‘dangerous’ Conor Benn fight as he ‘won’t risk losing another son’
CHRIS EUBANK Sr is battling to STOP son Chris Jr fighting Conor Benn at 157lb.
The British boxing legend has just returned from South Africa and is desperately trying to convince his 32-year-old offspring against dropping an extra 3lb below his normal middleweight limit.
And he cites the tragic death of 29-year-old son Sebastian last year from a heart attack as even more reason to be anxious about Chris Jr boiling down and dehydrating for the mega-money October 8 showdown.
The former two-weight world champion, 56, told SunSport: “This fight should not be allowed to happen, it is dangerous.
“I have given my advice and I will continue giving it because I know how dangerous weight cutting is.
“I have already lost one son, there is no way I am going to risk losing another.
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“I have spoken to Conor Benn — who I regard as a brilliant fighter and a king — and he told me he was willing to fight at 160lb.
“So who has engineered this dangerous decision to limit my son?
“I will be sitting down with all the people who have played their part in this and explaining that I will not have my son put in this danger.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn and broadcasters DAZN have been banking on Eubank Sr playing a major role in helping to flog the O2 spectacle by rekindling his iconic rivalry with Conor’s dad Nigel.
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The clash is billed as Born Rivals and there were hopes to tap into the magnificent 1990s two-fight feud that ended with a stoppage win for Eubank and controversial rematch draw most fans believe Benn was robbed in.
But the former middle and super-middle world champion is on the warpath against the latest circus act.
Eubank Sr said: “This fight is born out of the Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather fight. Catchweight bouts should not exist.
“I would not let my son fight Conor at 160lb either because that would be so unfair on Conor, who is a 147lb fighter. It would be bullying and we are not bullies, we are champions and heroes.
“Boxing has so many tragic tales and Junior knows all about them after his bout with Nick Blackwell.
“He knows the dangers but I was not by his side when he signed this contract and the people involved do not have his best interests at heart.”
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Eubank Sr said Conor Benn should concentrate on a welterweight world title — and his son should remain targeting a middleweight crown.
And he added: “Great fighters, as they get older, move up in weight. Not down. Your body cannot do at 32 what it could do at 22. Junior was 158lb in 2014.
“Anybody who understands this sport and weight cutting will tell you that the older you are the more difficult — impossible — it becomes.
“I cannot train Junior or be in his corner for this bout because it would make me complicit.
“I cannot be a part of this because I love my son and I have nothing but his best interests at heart.”
- Benn vs Eubank — The Trilogy Tour. Get tickets at goldstarpromotions.co.uk