British welterweight contender, Conor Benn, says his rivalry with middleweight, Chris Eubank Jr, has reached a new level after the 34-year-old tried to blackmail him out of £1 million.
Benn and Eubank’s fathers were involved in one of Britain’s most captivating grudge matches in the 1990’s. Chris Eubank Sr knocked out Nigel Benn in the ninth-round of their 1990 bout, before the pair fought to a contentious draw in the rematch in three years later.
A clash between their sons was always muted but never seemed realistic due to the two-division weight gap, but the duo eventually agreed to catchweight showdown that was set to take place last October. The fight was pulled just days out after Benn failed two separate drugs tests.
One year later and the long-awaited spectacle seems imminent, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
In an interview with iFL TV, Benn explained why the fight has gone from ‘business’ to ‘personal’.
“You’ve got to understand that it’s now personal, do you know what I mean? Before it was just business, it is what it is, it’s become very personal.
The way he conducted himself [after the failed drugs test], the way he was, the way he lied, the way he blackmailed me for £1 million, it don’t sit right with me.
I’m not one for rubbing salts into peoples’ wounds, I never kick a man when he is down, as bad as I was. For me, it’s like cool, I see your make up, I know who you are, no problem. I’m not surprised that his Dad isn’t in his corner.”