Fuelled By Fear, Benn Ends 35-year Wait For Revenge

Conor Benn assured nan boxing world earlier this week that things would beryllium different this time.

Benn told america he could support a grip connected his emotions arsenic he prepared for Saturday's rematch pinch Chris Eubank Jr - nan latest instalment of a family feud that began pinch their fathers 35 years ago.

It was difficult to believe, considering really overmuch of a charged individual he is, successful and retired of nan ring. But arsenic he dropped Eubank for nan 2nd clip connected nan measurement to an emphatic, calculated win, Benn proved his doubters wrong.

"It's been difficult facing my first nonaccomplishment and coming backmost from adversity," Benn said.

"As a man you spell done things successful life and don't cognize why but you person to - facing your ain demons each day.

"When I said I hit myself that nighttime [in nan first conflict pinch Eubank successful April], I meant it. My caput wasn't successful nan correct place."

Benn's successful revenge bid is nan latest portion of adversity he has had to overcome.

He is nary alien to dragging himself done reliable times.

The fighting boy of 1 of nan astir celebrated boxers successful British history, told by his schoolhouse he was possessed by demons aged 12, astatine nan centre of a two-year doping scandal and suffering conclusion astatine nan hands of nan boy of his father's arch nemesis – Benn has dragged himself distant from nan brink complete and and complete again.

"I consciousness for illustration I'm going to spell location and cry," he told a packed media room.

"A calm Conor is simply a amended Conor.

"I'm fuelled by fearfulness of losing. I emotion winning but fearfulness losing much and couldn't suffer to nan aforesaid man twice. Did I really suffer aliases did I learn?"

Saturday's arena was promoted arsenic "unfinished business", but successful nan build-up it did not consciousness for illustration that really rang existent - location was nary contention complete nan consequence of nan first contest.

Maybe it was harking backmost to nan rivalry betwixt their fathers, who fought a arguable tie successful their 2nd and last gathering successful 1993.

It was a feud that gripped nan British nationalist but felt unsettled.

The scars of that conflict still haunt Benn's begetter Nigel and astatine nan post-fight news convention he was dragged correct backmost into that mindset.

"He [Eubank Sr] conscionable loves nan limelight, he doesn't attraction astir his son, " Nigel Benn said.

"I don't deliberation I'll ever speak to him again. He tries to quote scripture but he doesn't cognize what he's talking about."

As Nigel was increasing much and much animated, his boy began to laughter and could perchance image himself speaking astir Eubank Jr successful 3 decades.

Despite still holding a grudge, it did consciousness for illustration Nigel was capable to summation immoderate closure connected nan feud done his son.

"I don't cognize if Conor knows but this is my past training camp," he added.

"I won't beryllium doing this immoderate more. I person 3 beautiful kids successful Australia that request me. I person a beautiful woman that needs me."

The sons were ne'er meant to fight. Eubank Jr is 7 years older, and Conor Benn has operated 2 weight classes little for astir of his career.

But nan appetite to spot 2 icons - Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn - backmost successful nan boxing sphere alongside their offspring was insatiable.

As characters, they could not beryllium further apart.

Eubank Sr is simply a performer, often pulling attraction from his boy pinch his creation moves, while nan elder Benn is consecutive and to nan point.

At nan post-fight news conference, Nigel had changed retired of his pick suit and donned a bluish Team Benn tracksuit.

He entered nan room adjacent to his boy and they were followed by a group of astir 20 group made up of family, friends and coaches.

Benn made judge to salary tribute to each 1 of them aft helping him done "dark times" erstwhile he was banned from boxing aft testing affirmative for a banned substance.

"There were a batch of group successful nan changing room that were location for maine successful those acheronian times," Benn said.

"I wasn't beardown capable to do it unsocial and they gave contented and helped transportation me. The triumph is for them."

In beating Eubank, Benn has achieved thing his begetter was incapable to do.

He is already looking to his adjacent goal, pursuing successful Nigel's footsteps by winning nan WBC world title.

Benn keeps his father's loop connected nan wall astatine his gym to supply information erstwhile he is going done gruelling sessions.

"Winning nan WBC title is dense connected my mind," Benn said.

"It's nan title my dada won and is my dream. I'm up connected him pinch Eubank-Benn rivalry and now want that title."

Benn silenced his doubters by winning nan rematch and he will person plentifulness much waiting successful nan wings to make a lawsuit for why he cannot triumph a world title.

Even promoter Eddie Hearn admitted he did not deliberation Benn was tin of winning a location title erstwhile he saw him make his debut successful 2016, describing him arsenic a "mess".

Benn agreed. "I was worse than that, I was terrible," he replied.

Hearn plans to push for a world title conflict adjacent and an all-British matter could beryllium connected nan cards.

Jamie Conlan, who manages IBF champion Lewis Crocker, said nan Northern Ireland combatant was open to facing Benn if he hit Eubank.

Having held up his broadside of of nan bargain, Benn will surely beryllium chasing that opportunity.