A trio of authentic British boxing heroes – i.e. actual world champions – have weighed in on the rash of predictions as to who will win Saturday’s hyped rematch between the sons of two other genuine stars of the UK ring.
Chris Eubank Jr to repeat his April victory or Conor Benn to avenge that defeat?
It was intriguing to hear Carl Froch, George Groves and Tony Bellew agonising over the answer. Not least because all three of them are usually as sharply opinionated as the woke brigade at the Beeb.
The debate eddied around these issues… and here are their verdicts.
1. Would the older Eubank have been more damaged by the rustic slugfest first time out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium than Benn the younger?
Froch: ‘Although Chris won, he’ll have suffered more of the wear and more of the tear.’
Groves: ‘Both finished exhausted but the younger you are the easier to recover.’
Bellew: ‘This may be the last hurrah for Eubank – win or lose.’
Chris Eubank Jr beat Conor Benn by unanimous decision in their first fight in London in April
2. Will they both be as manically driven a second time?
Groves: ‘Nobody goes in the ring with the mind set on losing but revenge may give Conor the edge in hunger.’
Bellew: ‘Conor will be the more desperate – for better or worse.’
Froch: ‘I expect both to give their all again.’
3. Who will have learned the most from the first fight?
Bellew: ‘Benn because he had the most to learn.’
Froch: ‘Maybe both will realise it’s better to box a bit, not only brawl.’
Groves: ‘Conor found out what a big night in a huge stadium inn front of a massive crowd takes.’
Carl Froch (left) beat George Groves for a second time in their rematch in 2014
Tony Bellew with Chris Eubank Sr at the British Boxing Awards in March this year
4. Will the difference in natural size help the two-division heavier Eubank more this time?
Froch: ‘Yes, if Chris has taken coming down a few pounds from super-middleweight more seriously.’
Bellew: ‘Too much has been made of this.’
Groves: ‘Size always matters to some extent.’
5. And what about the post-weigh-in rehydration limit which ended with Eubank being rushed to hospital immediately after having his hand raised by the ref?
Froch: ‘Dehydration increases the risks of our dangerous sport.’
Groves: ‘Such clauses are always a worry.’
Bellew: ‘We’ve all done it. Don’t make so much fuss.’
Eubank (left) and Benn will face off again on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
So, gentlemen, who wins?
Bellew: ‘Benn this time.’
Groves: ‘I’m torn. Either way I just hope for the sake of boxing and the public that it ends in a clear-cut stoppage, not in the hands of the judges.’
Froch: ‘Hmmm – until this week i”ve been going for Eubank and I still hope he wins but I’m’ beginning to edge towards Benn.’
So there you have it. Or not.
