‘There was blood everywhere' – Nigel Benn reveals ‘brutal' fist fight with son Conor ahead of Chris Eubank Jr showdown
NIGEL BENN will lead son Conor into battle against Chris Eubank Jr - but they were not always in the same corner.
Conor and Eubank Jr clash in a middleweight grudge match on Saturday at Tottenham's stadium.
Advertisement
4
Nigel Benn with his son Conor
Credit: Getty
4
The two are now inseparable - but it wasn't always that way
Credit: Getty
4
Nigel is always in his son's corner
Credit: PA
It comes 35 years after
They controversially drew three years later and in 1996 Nigel retired from boxing as a two-weight world champion.
But after walking away from the sport, his life spiralled out of control and into a battle with drink and drugs.
Nigel's partying also saw him become unfaithful to his wife Caroline - Conor's mum - causing friction between the two.
Advertisement
The British boxing legend - living in Majorca - split with Caroline and spent a year living with a pastor as a born-again-Christian.
Conor attended the school attached to the church as one of just 30 students who followed a Bible-based curriculum.
He did not see his dad for those 12 months, sparking a resentment for his old man by the time Nigel returned.
Conor, now 28, told
Advertisement
Most read in Boxing
Exclusive
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
"How could you come back and try to discipline me after you'd been gone for a whole year?'
Nigel, 61, said: 'He couldn't stand me. He thought I didn't like him, but it wasn't that.
Conor Benn's brother Harley opens door to fighting Chris Eubank Jr's cousin Harlem after chance meeting in Marbella
"I didn't know any other way. I just didn't want him to be like me. I wanted him to be different.'
Advertisement
Conor was sent to live in the UK - first in Blackpool and then Birmingham - due to his increasingly problematic behaviour.
Then, the family all moved together to Australia after Nigel reconciled with his wife.
It is there that Conor began boxing as an amateur - and where he first challenged his dad to a sparring session.
Nigel recalled: 'I had a boot on because I damaged my achilles, so I said to him, 'Let's just use the jab.'
Advertisement
'He said, 'No, I'm going to throw the right hand'. In the heat of the moment, I chipped his tooth. There was blood everywhere.'
Conor would amass a 20-2 amateur record while living in Sydney - and continued to call out his dad for a scrap.
Nigel said: 'It was only me and him in the gym and we just knew we were going to have a spar.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
THE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st Century
Familial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.
There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person.
SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard.
Latest News
All the info
Eubank Jr vs Benn - Start time, full undercard, TV and stream for huge night
'You've got to understand, I was looking to absolutely knock him spark out, and he was thinking the same.
Advertisement
"We were throwing punches and didn't care where they came from as long as they connected.'
Conor added: 'You can't understand the full brutality of it. There were no head guards, nothing.
"It was emotional because that was the last time I spent with my dad. We thought it was best that I leave Australia because of the trouble I was in.
"I flew to England on my own the next day and tried to take boxing more seriously. I went and stayed with Ricky Hatton for four months.'
Advertisement
Conor decided to turn professional after touching down in England, eventually settling in Essex under esteemed coach Tony Sims.
You can't understand the full brutality of it. There were no head guards, nothing.
Conor Benn on sparring dad Nigel
Debuting as the son-of-a-legend, all eyes were on Conor as he went from bungling novice to genuine world level contender over the years.
Conor improved to 21-0 by the time he first signed to fight Eubank Jr in a 157lb catchweight contest in 2022.
But the bout was axed with just days to go when it emerged the unbeaten welterweight failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency tests.
Advertisement
Conor returned an adverse finding for clomifene - a banned substance known to boost testosterone.
The Brit spent two years fighting and protesting his innocence after his British Boxing Board of Control licence was removed.
Conor had two fights in America - beating Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson up at light-middleweight - as his UK Anti-Doping case dragged on.
But eventually, the case against Conor was dropped after the NAPD were 'not comfortably satisfied' that UKAD had proved Benn had committed a doping offence.
Advertisement
It cleared Conor to fight on home soil again - but still the court of public opinion is out against the boxer.
And Conor said: 'I've struggled with the fact there'll always be that cloud of, 'Did he or did he not?'
"It was hard to accept that people will never 100 per cent believe you, but I ain't done it and I've spent over a million quid proving it, so who cares? Say what you want.'
Conor nows steps up to the 160lb middleweight limit to fight 35-year-old Eubank.
Advertisement
And he predicted: 'It could be a really brutal, gory, messy fight.
Read more on the Irish Sun
"I know it could be, but ultimately I'm not too concerned. I think I will go in there and terrorise him.
"Either I'm delusional or hundreds of thousands of people don't believe in me, but my dad will be proud of me regardless.'
4
Eubank facing off with Benn
Credit: GETTY
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up
A BRITISH rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up, and fans all have their own theories. Advertisement 5 A British rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up Credit: Alamy 5 Aaron Pierre is emerging as a front runner for the iconic Bond role Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 The star is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad and Rebel Ridge Credit: YouTube British actor Aaron Pierre, 31, is now emerging as a frontrunner for the iconic role. And industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender. Following a leak by industry insider Daniel Ritchman, it has been revealed Aaron is in talks for the role reported Aaron is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad, Rebel Ridge, and Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. Advertisement James Bond And rising betting odds are putting the young actor firmly in the frame for the coveted spot. Bookmakers now have Aaron gaining ground, as his odds narrow to place him alongside all the familiar contenders. Currently, Theo James leads the pack with odds of 5/2 followed by Henry Cavill at 3/1 and Jack Lowden at 4/1. While, Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, For Your Eyes Only, Official Trailer The Sun told last year how snap him up. Despite that, Advertisement Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is a current favourite to be named as the It's also been confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to 'woke' Hollywood streaming site Amazon. Timeline of James Bond actors Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007. The George Lazenby - The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy. Timothy Dalton - The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007's stewards Barbara, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal. Advertisement Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant - owned by An insider told the Commonwealth - and he has to be male.' 5 Aaron Taylor-Johnson is thought to already have agreed to the Bond role Credit: Getty 5 Henry Cavill is firmly still in the running to play James Bond Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Hobbit star Martin Freeman browses diamonds rings with actress partner Rachel Benaissa at London jewellers
SHERLOCK star Martin Freeman looks as if he is shopping for his precious at a jewellers. The actor, 53, seemed particularly taken with a £4,500 aquamarine and diamond ring. Advertisement 5 Martin Freeman, pictured with girlfriend Rachel Benaissa, seemed particularly taken with a ring Credit: Eroteme 5 Martin looks as if he is shopping for his precious at the store Credit: Eroteme 5 Martin, 53, has been with actress Rachel Benaissa, 30, for five years Credit: Getty 5 Martin seemed particularly taken with this £4,500 aquamarine and diamond ring Credit: Eroteme Martin, who played A local who saw him outside the 'He even fetched the shop assistant so he could point out which one wanted to look at. "He was wearing a cap so he could go incognito.' Advertisement Read More on Showbiz Martin, who has two children with ex partner He said: ' I talk to her about a lot of stuff because she's kind of my best friend and my confidante.' He also made a kinky admission on a recent podcast, revealing: 'She's a massive cheese and wine whore. 'She says that about herself, 'I'm a cheese and wine whore.' It's not all she is, but we like cooking.' Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Hobbit Frodo Baggins wields 'Sting' sword in Lord of the Rings 5 Martin played Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit trilogy
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Dua Lipa's ‘dream' Wembley shows with five outfit changes, star fans and cover with 90s music megastar
DUA LIPA realised a life dream as she played to 70,000 adoring fans at Wembley Stadium. Her Radical Optimism tour's sell-out gig on Friday — followed by another one yesterday — came ten years after she first per-formed in the capital to just 350 people. 11 Dua Lipa realised a life dream as she played to 70,000 adoring fans at Wembley Stadium Credit: Getty 11 Her Radical Optimism tour's sell-out gig on Friday came ten years after she first performed in the capital to just 350 people Credit: Getty 11 She said: 'Wembley, thank you. It is something I've dreamt of my whole life' Credit: Getty 11 Dua paraded in five different outfits during her set Credit: Getty 11 Dua also got Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay on stage to join her in singing the Nineties jazz-funk band's hit Virtual Insanity Credit: Getty 11 Dua shared a letter from the Spice Girls, who sent her flowers Credit: Instagram 'It is just surreal. It feels like such a journey, but also like everything has happened so quickly. I want to thank you for believing in me and trusting me, dancing with me, singing with me — and allowing me to wake up every single morning to do what I love to do. Looking out and seeing all you guys means the absolute world to me.' Dazzling in a white Valentino sheer lace catsuit, she added: 'It has been ten years since our first London show and I just dreamt of a night like this.' Dua paraded in five different outfits during her set — also including a petrol-blue Balenciaga slip dress draped in a faux-fur coat lined with the Union Jack flag and a silver custom Swarovski bodysuit with matching Christian Louboutin boots. Read More on Showbiz And it certainly seemed Queen Dua was reigning over North London — as billboards promoting her YSL plumping lip gloss were plastered on the famous Fans, many of whom got tickets through Priority from O2, queued at merch-andise stands with T-shirts priced £40. She opened with hit track Training Season and thrilled the crowd with No1 singles New Rules, One Kiss and Dance The Night. Her ballad Falling Forever cast a spell as fans lit up the stadium by holding their phone torches in the air. Most read in Bizarre Dua's mum Anesa and sister Rina, as well as actor fiance She even had support from the Spice Girls who sent her flowers. Dua Lipa surprises fans by bringing 90s band on stage as she stuns in diamonte bodysuit in front of star-studded crowd to Wembley And Dua shared a letter from the girls on Instagram. The post read: 'Dear Dua, we just wanted to wish you lots of luck with your sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium . . . that's Girl Power! We love you! The Spice Girls. XXXX.' Dua also got She told fans: 'This next song is a really, really big dream for me because I want to introduce someone who has inspired me from the moment I started making music. 'He is someone who has been a trailblazer for British music and paved the way.' I imagine these Dua shows have inspired the next gener-ation of British music stars, too. A FEW months ago, Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock parted ways with label Warner Music and landed a new deal with Virgin – and she's wasted no time getting started with new music. The singer shot a video for upcoming single, Been A Minute, in Stoke Newington, East London, last week. An insider tells me: 'The song has a carnival vibe and Leigh-Anne is really excited about it.' Leigh-Anne will showcase the tune when she performs at OASIS STRING 'EM UP OASIS have spent weeks rehearsing in a secret location in London ahead of their reunion tour – and I can reveal that when the lads hit the stage they will be joined by an orchestra. As well as 11 Oasis have spent weeks rehearsing in a secret location in London ahead of their reunion tour Credit: PA An insider said: 'The live orchestra will add a cinematic element to their sound and elevate some of the harmonies. It won't take away from the band, just boost the sound.' I can also reveal that everyone around them has ditched booze and turned to clean living in a bid to spur on the brothers, inset below, as they prepare for their Live '25 shows. Cigarettes and alcohol have been binned in favour of non-alcoholic beers and meditation. An insider tells me: 'In these final few weeks before the tour kicks off, those around Liam and Noel have decided to focus on clean living. 'There are lots of positive vibes in the camp, a very meditative, focused mindset. Everyone around them is aware this is history in the making. 'Liam and Noel are the best of British, working class heroes, and they deserve this incredible moment. 'So those around them are determined to set positive examples and make sure everyone is giving 100 per cent. It's pretty impressive to see how dedicated everyone is.' Some Might Say they will be the gigs of the decade . . . MEL C says she is super 'pedantic' about pre-show rituals. Mel said: 'I get the mickey taken out of me because of how pedantic I am about my preparations. I will eat well, try and sleep well, hydration is key.' She spoke as part of Volvic's Force of Nature initiative, in partnership with the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. Sporty by name, sporty by nature. LIKE THE LUNCH BOX, PAUL The Normal People actor and the singer have been relaxing with friends before she rocks up at Worthy Farm to play The Other Stage on Friday – where Paul is expected to be cheering her on. 11 Paul Mescal and girlfriend Gracie Adams in the park Credit: Supplied 11 Gracie will play The Other Stage on Friday Credit: Mega One park-goer at Highbury Fields in North London said of the pair: 'Paul and Gracie have been making the most of the warm weather by hanging out with friends in the park. 'Paul was boun-ding around and is clearly loving the long summer evenings.' The couple were first linked a year ago when snapped on a dinner date at London celebrity hang-out the BRAT Restaurant – and they seem to be going strong. Our source added: 'They looked super loved-up and Paul couldn't resist taking a picture of the sunset on his phone to capture the moment.' DUFFY TO RETURN I can reveal that the Welsh singer, who posted herself lip-syncing to a remix of her hit Mercy back in March, has been in the studio working with ex-Suede musician Bernard Butler, who was a producer on her debut 2008 album. 11 Duffy is secretly working on her long-awaited third album just months after she thrilled fans by appearing in a TikTok video Credit: Getty A source said: 'The time is right for her to make a comeback, she has done enough healing and is ready to make music. 'She has a great working relationship with Bernard and they trust each other.' In 2020, Duffy revealed in a social media post: ' I am OK and safe now, I was raped and drugged and held captive over some days. Of course I survived. 'The recovery took time. But I can tell you, in the last decade the thousands and thousands of days I committed to wanting to feel the sunshine in my heart again, the sun does now shine.' STRICTLY star The pro dancer, who has previously been paired with EastEnders' 11 Carlos Gu says he would love to perform with chat king Graham Norton Credit: Getty
