Chris Eubank Jr and Nigel Benn clashed (Image: Getty)
Chris Eubank Jr issued a stark warning to Conor Benn’s father, Nigel, following a fiery encounter last night. The British boxing stars were once again in close quarters on Thursday, two days after their tumultuous press conference in Manchester.
They are poised to clash in a middleweight bout on April 26 at the Stadium in London. Chaos erupted during their initial press conference on Tuesday when , prompting security to step in and separate the entourages.
Footage later showed Benn Sr quickly approaching and grabbing Eubank Jr by the throat. Security was heightened for last night’s press conference at the Stadium due to fears of another altercation. A scheduled face-off on Wednesday had been scrapped over safety worries. Eubank Jr didn’t hesitate to reference the scuffle with Nigel before delivering a menacing threat.
“I understand the frustration and the heat you were experiencing after I egged Conor,” Eubank Jr remarked. “But you did put your hand around my neck, so I’m going to give you a pass. “But I’m just letting you know, if my hand ever touches you again you won’t get it back.” In an intense exchange during the press conference, Conor leapt to his father’s defence with a fiery outburst, demanding: “Shut your f****** mouth. Oi silly b******s, shut your f****** mouth. Silly b*****s, threaten my dad again see what happens. “
His father Nigel then interjected with an apology, stating: “Listen Con, I can handle this. I’m old school. I’m really sorry I done that but you put your hand on my son.” The exchange became even more personal when Conor brought up Eubank Jr’s relationship with his own father, retorting: “Your dad doesn’t like you, shut your mouth. You’re just jealous.
“The altercation had escalated from when Eubank Jr landed an egg on his rival earlier in the week, an act he later admitted he felt no remorse about. Reflecting on the high-tension scenario, Eubank Jr held nothing back, claiming: “I’m sitting up here on a stage with two of the scummiest characters in boxing in my opinion; a drug cheat and a man who did everything in his power to help him get away with it. ” He justified throwing the egg by saying: “Me throwing an egg at someone who absurdly claims that’s why he failed two drug tests, I think that’s light; he deserved the embarrassment.
If I had the opportunity to do it again I would. Unfortunately I came unarmed today, I’ve been thoroughly searched multiple times, I couldn’t sneak anything in. This is going to be a real fight, this is going to be a bloodbath.”