Conor Benn took his first-ever loss to his fiercest rival Chris Eubank Jr., but has expressed that something that happened last night means a whole lot more than a win or a loss.
Conor Benn has fallen to 23-1 after suffering a loss in a close fight against Chris Eubank Jr.
It remains to be seen who Benn will face next, though he expressed after the fight he may attempt to win the WBC welterweight title from Mario Barrios.
In the post-fight press conference, though, Benn made clear that despite being gutted over his loss, he was happy for his opponent, not for the win, but for something far more valuable.
Conor Benn proud to see Chris Eubank Jr. reunite with his father
In the post-fight press conference, Benn said of his moment with Eubank Sr.:
“I looked at Chris Sr. and I said to him, grabbed him by the neck and said ‘Mate, I’m so happy you’re here. I’m so happy you turned up.’ You know, because outside of everything else, outside of all the noise and the promotion and the fight, your relationship with your dad never goes. That’s always there, that’s longstanding, that’s real.”
He continued: “Without boxing, y’know what’s boxing? What is it? Because I’d pick the relationship with my dad over boxing any day of the week. So to see them two, if this has brought them together, that’s worth it’s weight in gold.”
Benn’s father has spoken after his loss, and assures fans he will come back stronger. Benn’s loss to Eubank is certainly not the end of his career.
“Made me emotional”… Fans react to Chris Eubank Sr.’s reunion with his son
Ahead of the fight, Eubank Jr. was seen pulling up to the venue, but as the car doors opened, it wasn’t Jr. we saw first, but Sr.
Fans expected Sr. not to show up after his condemnation of the fight, and his estranged relationship with his son, yet as soon as those doors opened, and the father and son entered together, the audience in the arena were heard erupting into cheer.
The fans online weren’t much different, and many praised the electrifying moment:
“Made me emotional.. my Father passed. I wanted Sr to be there to support his son.”
“Junior is so happy and doing his best not to show it. This means everything to him & the same time he’s gotta keep his game face on.”
“Lost my father 3 weeks ago. Tearing up at this. Props to sr for showing up and backing his son.”
One put it simply: “The Sheriff has arrived.”