The boxing world has been captivated by the intense rivalry between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, a feud that has spanned over 934 days and transformed from an inherited rivalry to a bitter hatred. This saga began on October 6, 2022, when a pre-fight news conference in a London hotel announced the cancellation of their scheduled fight due to Benn's failed drugs test. This incident not only delayed the second generation of the Benn-Eubank rivalry but also sent shockwaves through the sport.

The Legacy of Benn and Eubank

The rivalry between the Benn and Eubank families dates back to the early 1990s, when their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr., engaged in two iconic fights. Eubank Sr. won the first bout in 1990, and the second ended in a split-decision draw in 1993. Two decades later, their sons began their own boxing journeys, initially in different divisions, which kept them apart until the public's nostalgia-fueled demands brought them together for a lucrative fight in October 2022.

The Chaos Unfolds

Despite some low-level trash talk, the boxers maintained a cordial relationship during media events, even sharing a respectful handshake. However, this respect vanished when news of Benn's adverse finding for clomifene, a women's fertility drug, was leaked. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) decided not to sanction the fight, leading to its cancellation. Benn was smuggled out of the hotel before the media was informed, marking a black eye for boxing without a single punch being thrown.

Benn's Doping Battle

Benn admitted to two failed tests but insisted on his innocence, suggesting contamination as the cause. After a lengthy legal battle, he was cleared to fight in the UK in November 2024. Despite this, his reputation took a significant hit, especially after the WBC concluded that the failed tests might have been caused by a "highly elevated consumption" of eggs. Benn's promoter, Eddie Hearn, expects him to face jeers during his ringwalk, as some of the boxing public remains unconvinced of his innocence.

Eubank's Journey

While Benn dealt with his doping scandal, Eubank faced his own challenges, including a shocking loss to Liam Smith. He avenged this defeat with a dominant win eight months later. Despite being in the running for a lucrative shot at undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the shadow of Benn was never far away. Their rivalry reached new heights when Benn stormed the ring after Eubank's routine stoppage win in Saudi Arabia, with superstar footballer Neymar caught in the middle of their face-off.

The Road to the Ring

After months of negotiations, the fighters finally agreed to terms, thanks to the financial backing of Saudi Arabia. The fight, set to take place at the 62,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has already sold out, proving the public's immense interest. The promotion for the fight reached new levels of creativity when Eubank slapped Benn with an egg during a face-off, a nod to the WBC's egg consumption theory. This viral moment, despite costing Eubank a hefty fine, has become an unexpected defining image of their rivalry.

The Anticipated Showdown

As the fight night approaches, both boxers are ready to settle their scores. Eubank seeks revenge, while Benn predicts a one-sided beat-down. The magnitude of this fight has grown over the past two and a half years, and it promises to be a historic event in the world of boxing. The legacy of their fathers, the chaos of the past 934 days, and the intense personal rivalry will all come to a head in the ring on Saturday.