Tony Bellew and David Haye have weighed in on the debate about the confirmed clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, with both men extremely enthused about all British “super-fight”.
The showdown was made official on Tuesday and will take place on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland and DAZN worldwide.
The O2 Arena in London will play host to the fight on October 8 and it will take place at a catchweight of 157 pounds.
Both fighters have agreed to a penalty of $100,000 per pound they weigh in over that agreed limit.
Former rivals Bellew, the ex-WBC cruiserweight champion of the world, and old custodian of the WBA title at heavyweight Haye are now having their say about the fight between the sons of former legends Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn.
‘Bomber’, who won world honours at Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park stadium back in May 2016, knocking out Ilunga Makabu inside three rounds, said in his latest DAZN column:
“I’ll be honest, I can’t believe that this fight is happening.
“To take the greatest rivalry in British boxing, possibly all of boxing, and pass it onto their sons 30 years later, this is just extraordinary and with the people involved, I think we’re going to see an incredible event from start to finish.”
It was in 1990 and again in 1993 that Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn fought two brutal world title fights.
Eubank Sr won the first one via ninth-round stoppage, picking up the WBO middleweight title in the process, but the second fight, which took place at super-middleweight, ended in a draw.
Now, 29 years on, minus a day, their sons will clash.
Bellew continued:
“Let’s make no mistakes, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn absolutely despised each other and I’m not sure whether those feelings ever changed if I’m being honest.
“I was just a kid when those fights happened, but I can remember the buzz, especially the second one as I was a little older, and you knew you were dealing with two special characters.
“For anyone who isn’t aware of what went down, you’re likely to get a decent sample when the hype kicks off and although this fight is about the younger fighters, it’s their old men that laid the foundations for this. If Chris and Conor can deliver half the action that their fathers provided, then we’re in for a classic.”
Haye, who lost twice to Bellew before the end of both of their careers, concurs with his old foe about the magnitude of the event. Also speaking to DAZN, the former heavyweight champ said:
“I think it’s a great fight and both fighters are supremely confident.
“They come from the bloodline of some of the greatest rivals in British boxing history.
“If you’re old enough to remember that rivalry then you’re going to want to get involved in it and be a part of it.
“Putting these guys in the ring with each other now is great. It’s good that everyone realises that a super-fight is on the horizon.”
Conor Benn has already fired the first shot at Eubank Jr, claiming he’ll be the first man to stop him.