5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - Eubank v Benn II: The First Face-Off

Episode Date: September 17, 2025

Will it be repeat or revenge? Buncey speaks to Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn ahead of their November rematch at the Tottenham Hostpsur Stadium. He also hears from their respective promoters, Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn. Plus, fresh from winning his first world title, Lewis Crocker pops over for a chat.

This is Five Live Boxing. The first fight was sensational. Connor Ben, Chris Eubank Jr. Nothing in it. Ubank Jr. left with the win. They're going to do it all again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I went along to the conference spoke to both the fighters, both their promoters and a few other voices. I'm Steve Bunce and this is Five Live Boxing. The press conference has just finished and you're going to probably read and hear an awful lot about some of the things that were said and some of the accusations that were made at the press. comments. We're not going to go into them now because I can assure you now that most of it's

already libelous and it's going to be legal. So we're going to be really careful what we do with that. Now, the man hosting the press conference and by what I mean hosting, you know, trying to bring order to their disorder, trying to bring chaos to the absolute chaotic scenes was the zone's Jamie Ward. Jamie, and Jamie joins me. Jamie, it's just finished five or six minutes ago. I'm assuming if I stuck a heart monitor on you, your heart would still be racing. That was about as hectic and just, well, it was lunatic. Through the roof, I think, the heart rate, Steve.

I think, look, not to bore everyone, but it's quite scary up there. You know, you can practice in your living room and your bedroom as much as you want, particularly those opening monologues. But it is scary, especially when you're dealing with two characters like Chris Eubank Jr. and Conner Ben, but I think especially today,

the pressure to make sure we did the great man, Ricky Hatton, Justice. in the opening tribute. But somehow got lost in the middle of it all because, which was a little bit sad, but that was always going to happen. Very important, we had to do that. Massively important.

If you were to put a heart monitor on me, I'm just about getting my breath back. And Eubank was, I mean, fired up doesn't even come close. Ubank was just smashing it and making all sorts of accusations. What was it like being three feet from Conner Ben and three feet from Eubank

when some of that stuff was being in a chance because Connor was so calm and kept his call throughout the thought, I think he was bored, Steve, to be honest with you. I had a glance down at Connor Ben, and he was on WhatsApp and sending messages and on his phone. I don't think he was even really listening. I think that was much more of a conversation between Eddie Hearn and Chris Eubank, Jr., which I wasn't sure what to expect from those two today, but it seemingly followed suit from all the press conferences we've seen.

I sensed in Eddie's voice, especially when Eubank denied him the chance to pay tribute to Rick your hat, and I sensed that Eddie was upset. He was definitely upset with that. Yeah, 100%. You know, you know, you've known a long time with your match. and work. He seemed upset by that. It's like tone in voice change. Close your eyes. You can hear it kind of thing.

Yeah, he definitely wasn't happy. To be fair, I'm not still 100% sure that maybe Eubank Jr. was aware of that. I wouldn't want to say he was 100% aware that that's what Eddie was going to do. I would say that Ubank Jr. might have been guilty of various things today, but talking over Eddie and denying him, he did a chance to talk about Ricky Hatt and wasn't one of the charges.

I wouldn't say. He was just saying no, no, no, no, Eddie period. Chris is a wonderful showman and entertainer. sometimes a little bit controversial and says things that might get himself into a little bit of trouble, but I certainly don't think that he intended to do that today. And of course, the big surprise everyone was talking about was the appearance of Beaumack, fresh from guiding Terrence Bud Crawford through 12 flawless rounds in a masterclass against Canelo last week. In Las Vegas, I mean, we all kind of knew it was coming. It was the best kept secret.

But it was a little bit of star dust sprinkled on the event, wasn't it? Well, it was surprised. No one knew about that, really, until about four. five minutes beforehand, but you know, Steve, that's the, as I say, you can do as much prep in the world, but everything goes out of the window, as soon as you actually get to the venue, including who you're actually going to be speaking to. So, yeah, I mean, look, big surprise. I mean, Boamax is an incredible trainer, and did he say he thinks it's going to be easier second time around.

It's going to be easy because he's got his number, which is, you know, they were hard, they were meant to be, I'm going to whisper, they were meant to be really hard and fast rules about rematches. But every rematch recently breaks up and destroys the hard and fast rules. So the idea, Banny Stewart said famously, the smart fighter will always win the rematch, he said. And then lo and behold, the fighter wasn't that smart wins the rematch. So there's no absolute strict rules.

But you got a sense. You were up there with a two of them. You were a ring side a few months ago. Could you get any sense of what the two of them were thinking when they were looking, when they occasionally glibly. glanced at each other. Yeah, I mean, Chris was rolling his eyes and laughing whenever the words came from the other side. Whenever Connor said I had him hurt.

Exactly, in my eyes and he was rolling his eyes and laughing. So he clearly thinks he wasn't wobbled or hurt in the fight. Conor Ben was pretty much similar when Eubank was on his turrard. He was rolling his eyes. But I was interested by Connor Ben's energy. Remember the press conferences from the first time round? Very high octane. He was very wound up.

Every interview you did with him. He was very relaxed and calm today. And look, Connor had a Manchester City shirt on today. He described Ricky Hattner as one of his heroes. Yes. And perhaps it, of course, may well be down to the fact that, like so many people, is genuinely just a bit down at the moment. However, it could also be down to the fact that he's admitted himself.

He was very emotionally involved last time. And perhaps the calm demeanour outside of the ring will translate to a calmer demeanour on November 15th. Jamie, don't go away. Now, we did speak to Connor Ben. I got some moments with him. And in fact, the Conner Ben we saw on the stage was the Conner Ben, a more relaxed, thoughtful Conner Ben, and that's the one I spoke to.

Connor, before we start, the last time I spoke to was in the basement here somewhere after the fight, and that was fairly emotional. And this week's been fairly emotional with Ricky Pass, and I see you've got your shirt on. He was not just a good fire, he was a good person, Ricky, wasn't he? I can't really, I couldn't really process it, to be honest.

He was somebody who really helped me for our my career, but not only helped me in my career, but also with somebody who took me in, you know, like a father figure would. He made me feel at home when I didn't have a home. And, you know, he meant a lot to me, very close to me and my family. I remember talking to you about three or four years ago

and you talking about Campbell, talking about the pressure Campbell was under and relating it to the pressure you were under. So I always felt there was a pact between the bends and the hattens in that sort of way. Forget boxing. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Forget boxing.

I'm not even talking about boxing. I'm talking about him as a man. He was somebody I admired as a fight. He was my hero. He is my hero. You know, it's still hard to process now. It's still hard to process now because, oh, man, it's just, yeah. Yeah, I have no words.

But my loves with a family. Yeah, and I wanted to ask you that. I don't even know I know it was, you know, It's tough for me, it's tough for you. It's tough for people that loved him and knew him. Let's talk about this one. We're back. It's Ben Newbank 4 or is it?

Ben Newbank Jr. 2. What is it? Or is it just a fight? What is it? Yeah, I mean, I don't know what it is, but I know the public are going to be entertained, whatever it is. Yeah.

I'm excited that we can deliver that level of fight to the public. Even though it wasn't, didn't go my way, sometimes things don't go your way. That's completely fine, but you know what you've got to do, get back up and keep it moving. And you did get back up, and you have kept it moving. And I know there's been a lot of people close to you,

telling you how good it was. I know that that's not comfort, but I'll tell you this now. It was an exceptional, incredible, unbelievable fight. Yeah, I mean, it's hard to... Not consolation, but fact. Yeah, but people go, you've done well, well done, mate, you've done good.

Yeah, no, no, no, don't do all that, no, I don't hear that, you know, whatever... There's still a loss in front of it, do you know what? So whatever it is, well done, you don't, but you're lost. You've done it. and the public were entertained, it was one hell of a fight, a year, fired a decade,

I still lost. You know, so for me, I don't prepare hard for 12 weeks to have a, you done well, but not good enough. You prepared hard for 12 weeks, but did you really think it would be as hard as it was, those last two or three,

three or four rounds? I didn't think the fight would go past three or four rounds, let alone see the end. So, when I say that, I didn't mean it in saying it as, as a threat, or saying it as I actually meant it. But not only did I mean it, I actually believed it,

you know, so for me, I genuinely thought I'd knock him out of three, four rounds. And I think when I see I had him hurt, I got greedy and decided just trying to iron him out. Now, he said at the end that you were a great fighter and he didn't know you could, you know, you could be as, you know, you'd be as good as you were. Did you have the same feeling about him? Was he a better fighter than you expected? Do you know what, in a mad way, although I'm giving up the weight. I underestimated him still in terms of how awkward he is,

how intelligent he is in the ring in terms of him using his, he used his brain in there more than his physical ability. But I mean, he obviously used his way. He started leaning on me. Towards you later in the fight. Towards the later around, started leaning on me. Didn't let me get my mid-range, which is what he was supposed to do. And he'd done that.

He started to the game playing better than myself. And did, were you aware, were you, conscious of that at the time? No, no. Because you were just wrapped up in the fight. No, I was so focused on just in flipping pain. For the first time in my career,

I never went back to the corner wondering whether I'd won a round. I weren't even thinking about winning the rounds. It was just a fight. It was just in the fight. I weren't thinking of winning. I thought I had won the fight. Yeah.

Based on how I felt, but I weren't in there trying to score points. Yeah, it was just about winning. It's just about fine. Yeah. So if when you've sat down, assuming you've sat down with Tony Sims and watched it, what are you learning? What are the takeaways?

You know, without giving away too much, Colin. What would the takeaways be? Discipline. It's the only thing in there, really. Emotion. It's the controlling your emotion. That's the discipline. So when I say discipline, I mean, keeping your emotions at bay.

And that was something I didn't manage to do on the night. So that's a me problem. I wouldn't say it's come down to anything else apart from that. And that's something that you can change? Yeah, in theory. Of course. You control what you can control. And that's well within something I can control myself.

Now, this might sound like a ridiculous question, and if it is, tell me. But are there any parts of the night you can allow yourself to enjoy it? I'm thinking about walking out here. Yeah, I enjoyed all that. Yeah, I mean, it's... Yeah, and I enjoyed all that. Because, you know what? Every young fighter dreams of getting to a position where they're...

they can walk out to a packed stadium. Do you know what I mean? 67,000 people? Yeah, you sit there and you go, you look around and you're going, yeah, we did that. That would do. Did that, yeah, that would do. I'm happy with that.

And not only that, though, the fight delivered. Yeah. Because there's nothing worse than people talking a good game. When it comes down to it, they ain't really about it. That's what I see with a lot of fighters. They talk a good talk. When it comes down to it, you know,

they ain't really about it. And you, from the very first minute, in the very first round of two of you, it was obvious. I said I'd come out that way. Yeah, and you did. I weren't, I weren't conscious. I weren't, I weren't, sorry, cautious. I weren't, let's have it then.

And that was really how I felt. Like, cool, you want to fight? Let's, let's have it then. Let's go. And that was my mindset going into the fight. I mean, you're the whole demeaness. I know you're still processing the loss of Ricky, but your whole demeanor seems different now.

It's just like you seem, I know you were focusing. You seem a little bit more focused. maybe. You got to remember there was a lot of tension, there was a lot of

there was a lot of emotions. You got to remember it was my first fight back here in almost three years. Yeah, of course, yeah. There was a lot

of pen up aggression, there was a lot of hatred, there was a lot of bitterness, there was a lot of everything. It was a lot of demons I had to face myself that night

the week. I remember I'd just been through Hellenback to come back and go straight into a that sort of fight within 30 months out of the ring

with winning my case with it was just it was just a lot going on it was a noisy period of my life have you got rid of some of that hatred now or is it just maybe you just turned to Chris? No just just in general you're an angry man I mean you know you were an angry man

not now you're smiling but you're angry yeah I'm calm I'm gonna yeah yeah no I'm definitely I'm gonna get no no no no no no no no no no I can go if he wants to slap me I can't go no no no I can't go I'm definitely calmer now. Definitely, definitely calming now.

I'm grateful. I'm grateful. I feel very differently this time around about the fight. Of course. I feel like I'm getting in there to do a job rather than me targeting him personally. Do I like him? No.

Do I respect him for giving me that level of fight? Do I respect him that we did this? Do I give him his flowers for putting up one hell of a flower? A fight, yes, I do. And there were two guys in the night and he said the same thing. In fact, I sat in a place and interviewed a guy in a football stadium once in about 19903 who said to me, do I like him? No. Do I respect him, yes.

And I think you know what it is. It's a geezer who's standing behind me. Connor, it's been a pleasure talking to him. What pleasure. So that was Connor there in a very reflective mood. And that's just, you know, an emotional mood. We're in that man city. Now, Jamie, you've been, have you been to the actual gym to see him?

I haven't asked you before you, but you've been at the gym and see him since the first fight. Since the first fight? I don't think he's really left the gym, Steve. That's the impression I got for Tony's. Not an awful lot has changed on Connor or from Connor, besides the new tattoo he has on his forehead. But, you know, he's always in. You're the tattoo spotter, aren't you? Yeah, well, you can't miss that one.

You know, like the dog whisperer and the horse whisperer world, Jamie Ward, tattoo spotter. You should hear what the tattoo said to me today. No, I'm joking. Go on, carry her. I don't think he ever really switches off, Connor. I think that's always... His favourite quote is hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard,

or don't work hard, as he would say. He doesn't work out. He doesn't work out. East End, Ilford, Giza voice. But that is what he always says, and I think he really lives by that. He knows he came into the sport quite late, and he knows it's his athleticism,

his fitness and his work rate, which make him a real contender on the world level. And just to briefly take it back to the great Ricky Hatton, I know that Connor had spent a bit of time with Campbell, especially when Campbell here at this stadium, the crazy nights he had at the start of his professional journey when he was thrown into the deepest events. And that's what I mentioned to him in the interview there, because I knew he was really, he was really conscious of the abuse Campbell was getting.

Connor had been certainly an ear for Campbell to speak into and a shoulder if he'd ever needed it. And, you know, I think he did. He did. You know, Campbell spent some time in the gym. But I think Connor this time will see a more relaxed version of him, because he did. I think he has to be. I mean, you watch that first round.

You could see some of them right hands coming from the other side of the ring. I think deep breath. Steve, let's be honest. We were here. And I talked on stage, not to bore everyone, but about the theatre of Eubank's senior arrival. And I think that was a big mental victory

for Eubank on fight night. When Connor says, oh, I was glad his dad came, blah, blah, blah. Did that give him the extra? I mean, because I argued on Five Live that night, that the dad might have been the little factor. Just that little factor? Both ways. I think it gave Eubank Jr.

A massive lift. he walked into that room, into that stadium with his dad by his side, 10 feet tall. And he must have felt it as well. And for Conner Ben, watching on the screen backstage, it was pure WWE, wasn't it?

But no doubt, he's human. He must have thought, ah, that's good for him, and that's something else that I wasn't going to think about tonight that I'm now thinking about. So I think without a doubt, yeah. I think you're absolutely spot on.

Listen, Jamie, I'm going to let you go. There's plenty of voices I've got to still do, but I can do it on my own. It's getting late, it's getting late, it's with a pleasure and the delight, to want to. Always. Jamie Ward who hosted the conference there,

own the conference, like he did back in April when he absolutely announced himself and he's done it again. And I don't care if I'm embarrassing him. I don't care. I don't care if I make fighters and people's cheeks turn red.

Who cares, Jamie? Thanks for everyone. Have I under Shandy? Yeah, you definitely earn this shandy, son. Don't worry about that. Tom Man, Steve, thank you, pleasure. So Jamie's gone to get in whatever transportation is laid on by this zone.

Now, before the conference started and I did this intentionally, so I wanted to speak to a calm and very rational. Eddie Hearn. I've grabbed hold of Eddie to have a chat. Look back on this and also maybe a chat about other things in the TV world. Yeah, Matron the Great Showman now streaming live on Netflix around the world and I hope you enjoy it. It's real, is all I can say.

You know, it gives you a great look at not just boxing, but the arts and snooker and the family business as well, but a lot of in-depth sort of behind-the-scenes coverage of some of, you know, the really big DeZone Knights. and, you know, particularly AJ against Dubois, Ben against Eubank and much more. So let's stick with that a little bit more. They were constantly with you, weren't you? And so did you form relationships, friendships with them? And was that necessary?

No, they were a complete pain in the backside. I mean, it would literally be, where are you? It's like, I've just got out of the bath. It's like we're coming up to the room. We want to film you get changed. I'm like, no, go away, you know, after the show. I mean, there's a couple of great scenes in there when AJ lost to Dubois.

and they're like, can we get in your car and film you on the way home and have a chat? It's like, not really, but they're very good at actually getting their own way. So that's the pickled onion monster munch part where I'm driving down the A406 and the bloke Jake in there's filming me. This is a terrible night for you, isn't it?

It's like, yeah, it really is a terrible night for me, thank you. It's like, well, what are you going to do now? I said, there's only one thing for it. Chicken salad sandwich and a packet of pickled onion monster munch, you know, M&S. And you know, then, you know, when they can't hear you through the glass because the main door shut and said, sorry, what, what, oh, it's pickled onion, you know, but it's very real and it's not polished in a way that, oh, we need it to look

a certain way for us. So, and I, you know, I think it's like Drive to Survive meets Netflix, sorry, meets Succession. Yeah, which is, you know, which is, and I've always feel, you know, I feel that those behind the scenes, docs about sport, bring people into the sport and show people, you know, the different dynamics of it, the politics, of it and most importantly the drama. When they're done well, they're done unbelievably well. When fights have done unbelievably well, they're done unbelievably well. There was a couple of great fights a few years ago.

They were great fights and we had a great fight here where we are, Tottenham Hotspurs a few months ago. And we're back for, well, basically it's Ben Newbank four. Yeah. It is Ben Newbank for. It's Ben Newbank, the Sun's number two. Just have a couple of reflections on that first night. I mean, I'm sure it's in the Netflix series.

What an incredible event now was. And it just took on a life of its own. about round seven or nine it was pure rocky i hate to keep using that cliche but it was yeah i mean the whole event you know of course the narrative was was so glaring wasn't it you know like you said ben eubank three um the press conference the infamous egg you know so much and and obviously ubank senior as well arriving on the night which was just gold really and the fight itself i mean ultimately we can have a great buildup i can sell the fight but if we don't get the product on the night, it is what it is, but we got more than a product, we got a fight for the ages,

we got a fight. You know, and I have my differences with Eubank Jr., but I really respect what both men did that night. They went into the well and they went to the depths. I mean, both guys ended up eventually in hospital. You know, Eubank was there for a few days after the fire. It was an incredibly physically taxi in fire. And there was a worry that they might not do it again.

They've chose to. And I think we're not only going to get Eubank Ben four, we're going to get the third. 13th round of the first fight because, you know, Connor says maybe I shouldn't fight off as much in motion. Mate, you're a bent. Yeah, you fight off emotion. What do you think? That's what makes you to fight a you are.

Absolutely. So I expect nothing different. Now, Ed, they both said afterwards in slightly different words, but the exact same thing. I went to places I've never been to before. They both said about the other one. I didn't know he could push me that far. Watching at ringside from about eight or nine or ten, I was getting slightly worried for the two of them because

I knew they'd, even though they'd been 12 once. and Eubank had been 12 a few times. I knew they were going somewhere where they'd never been before. It was so hard. And those last three rounds, they were quite incredible. Yeah.

And, you know, I feel like actually it was the championship rounds that gave Eubank the win. You know, after nine or ten, I had it very close. And he definitely won 11 and 12. The size did show. I think there's no doubt.

You know, I mean, you know, Eubank played a blinder in the buildup where it was like the narrative of, you know, I'm the victim here. I mean, he's made middleweight, six or seven times.

He's never chose to film it before, but chose to film it this time to show everybody how tough it was to make the weight. And a lot of people bought into it. It's like, this is a disgrace. It's like, he's making championship weight. I don't know what to tell you. But when you got in the ring,

you know, everybody could see the size difference in there. And it did play in the end. I'm okay with that size difference because Connor now has had that fight at 160. The inactivity is no longer there that plagued him going into that first fight. And I think he would have learned a lot. And like I said, it was physically taxing

that first fight. And that would generally suit the younger man with less miles on the clock, which of course is Connor now how soon after that fight did you get some quality time with Connor? I mean, sitting down with him, maybe with his father, maybe in the office or maybe at his house or in the gym with Tony. And can you

remember what that conversation was like? Yeah, it was a weird one because in the changing room after everyone was so proud of him. You know, it's the first time he's taking so much stick over the last few years. But all of a sudden, you look at the, you know, the internet saying you're a hero. You know, you're a people's champ,

keep your head up, and that's really nice. I mean, especially with everything that he's gone through. But in the changing room, there was a real feeling. Everyone was so proud,

but he was, you know, I mean, he was pleased with our DP Doug, but he lost. And that's, that's the end result. And that's unacceptable

to a winner. So, you know, even back then, he was like, look, I know you think I've done well, but I lost the fight. It's like, I know,

but, you know, we've got the rematch, you'll be better next. time and I think his time went on the the reaction from the British public really lifted him in defeat now so going into it going into this fight have you seen have you sensed any difference in him as a human being and as a man as a fighting man any difference any slight difference from from the build-up to the first one I think just a little bit more mature you know I mean you bank's a bit of a

game player as well so even at the presser today like I'm sure you bank's gonna come with all his bag of tricks and Connor's like he just wants to get in camp you know, he wants to improve as a fighter. He feels like he didn't really show his technical ability in that fight. What he showed was heart, chin, engine, you know, wobbled Eubank a couple of times as well. But he says I can be so much better than that. You know, maybe I can outbox him, let alone out fight him. And maybe there's a bit of both of that in the second fight.

Now, Ed, I want to do, I'm not working for much longer. I want to deal a little bit with the rehydration clause, There's all the stuff that made all the headlines last time. And as you said, Eubank had always made the way. Are we operating under the same rules or regulations or whatever you want to call them? Same as the first fight. I mean, that was always the way. And, you know, look, there's no doubt that Eubank at Middleway is tight.

I mean, he's been there for the last seven fights or six fights. That's his weight class. Yeah. It's tough for a lot of people to make weight. The rehydration is no problem. Last time he weighed in with all his clothes on and a big jacket and he was a pound under. Yeah. He would have been three pound under, and that's not a problem.

But he will be tight middleweight. But also, it's a massive physical disadvantage for Connor Ben going up to 160. You've only got a look in the ring to see it. So, you know, I think we've got it right. I mean, we proved that in the first fight by how good the fight was. And, Ed, let's get the first question out there again. Before we get into the debate about Willie Wonty, will Chris Eubank senior be at this one?

Or will you have to do mad 24 hours and negotiating and planning? and skull dougarie like you had to do the last time to get him into the arena and the ring. Turkey Lashake was hell bent on making sure he was there last time and I remember Eubank Senior coming out of the car and I watched it on the big screen and the stadium went nuts and I just looked at Turkey who was sitting next to me and he just gave me a little wink.

You know, I thought, wow, you really did it. You know, you found a way. I don't know how, but you found a way. And it was great for the event. And by the way, even personally for Eubank and the family, He should have been there. Yeah, yeah. You know, it was a massive moment.

And, of course, you know, he won. So I'm sure his dad was very proud of him. Yeah, I'm sure he was. Just a quick final one. It looks like, it's not confirmed yet, it looks like there might be a surprise guest on the main table. It looks like, and that person might be Beaumack, fresh from being in Terrence Crawford's corner at the weekend.

He hasn't worked with Eubank since he was incarcerated for having a gun when he tried to exit the country. But he was obviously in the corner when Liam Smith for the rematch. Have you heard that Beaumax in the team? No, I've heard there is a special guest. I would hope it would be senior

but apparently it's not. I've heard the BoMack rumors and, you know, it was Jonathan Banks last time, wasn't it? Yeah, Eubanks is prone to a trainer change every now and again. Bo Mac's a good... Bo Mac's a very good trainer.

It's also a funny guy. It's good for the build-up. And, you know, I think that goes to show more than anything now, seriously Eubanks's taking this fight. Because all of the other stuff about I could be. him on 25%, 30%, 40%.

Yeah, but, you know, I mean, what percentage were you? Yeah. Because you only just beat him. Yeah, that's true. So, you know, one of the questions I think the narrator should be saying today is, do you respect this guy now after that performance? Because it was a performance where both of you were, you know, laying next to each other in the hospital. We were bashed up and it was a close run thing.

It was a war. But I think the answer will still be no, unfortunately. Listen, Ed, it's an absolute pleasure. I know they like talking to you. Thanks very much, sir. Thank you. So that was Eddie Heard before the press conference. And obviously the story about the press conference

will be some of the allegations and the claims made by Chris Eubank Jr. I managed to catch up with Chris. Chris, thanks for joining me. I'm not quite sure where to start, whether to talk about the last fight, talk about a new fight or talk about the press conference or talk about your birthday in about two hours' time.

Take your pick. I mean, you're the guy. You know what questions to ask. I mean, it's all fun. It's all fun in games, really? Yeah, it was a particularly fired up Chris Eubank Jr. I thought at the press conference. Once you got going.

I wouldn't say fired up. I think Eddie was the one that was rattled and fired up. You know, hearing all the things that I was exposing about him and his organization and the people that are in his back pocket. You know, I'm just shining a light on these things that no one else has the balls to talk about in boxing, you know? Which you've been doing for a while.

Right. Yeah. So let's talk. about the last fight and since the last fight from last fight to now. Where's Chris Eubank, do you and how have you been? Not where have you been physically? Where have you been? I've been living life, my friend. I've been enjoying the fruits of my labour. I've been making sure that the money I make from these fights is well invested and will grow. Family, recovery

but all the while knowing that in you know at some point during the year I was going to have to fight again so I have to be in the gym and have to be responsible without what I'm eating I can't be doing too much partying

I can't be playing too much poker I'll pay a little bit but not too much yeah I mean you know just being me would you have liked a longer break a longer rest Would you like this in May of next year? I feel like it was the perfect amount of time.

You know, they were pushing for September and I wasn't happy with that date. So I said no. I didn't sign for a specific date. I signed for the rematch at some point this year. November was the ideal month and that's what I told them I will be ready for. After the fight, Chris, there's some confusion about where you went.

You went to us, wouldn't you? and your father went with you to hospital. And there's all sorts of claims and counter claims. What did you go to hospital for apart from, or was it just dehydration, needing to rehydrate? That was the crux of it. Yeah. You know, obviously I had a cut.

That had to get stitched up. But, you know, the main focus was the severe dehydration. and it caused swelling all around my face and around my body. And, you know, it stopped me from being able to function for a day or two. They had to put a drip in me for, you know, 24, 48 hours of constant liquids going into my system. You know, the headache was unbearable. You know, I had morphine pumped into me at times. And eventually my body started.

you know, being able to... Function. Function and absorb the liquids. And, you know, after a day or two, I was out, up and at them again, you know? And during the fight itself, did you realize you were going to places you'd never been before? Did you realize... You know, you've done 12 rounds, what, five times until that point? But not quite 12 rounds like that.

I wouldn't say I haven't been to those places before. I've, you know, I've been some hairy fights in my life. You have been some hairy fights. and I've been in hairy fights in the gyms too. From a long, long, long time ago. Yeah. You know, and those spas and those sessions people don't get to see, but they're just as tough.

So, you know, I always knew what I was capable of. The fans knew. But, you know, the fact that I had been restricted from what I was able to eat and drink after the way in, that I guess took its toll or I felt the effects of that during the fight which caused me to you know maybe have

you know maybe my legs weren't as strong as they usually were and it caused me to have to drag this kid into a dog fight where it was just I'm going to keep punching until the referee stops me nothing's going to stop me and he willingly allowed himself to be dragged into that dog fight dog fight. His performance did it surprise you? He didn't willingly do anything. I forced him.

You made him do it. I gave him no choice. You're either going to get into this dog fight with me and we're going to dance together or you're going to quit. And he didn't quit. And I give him his respect for that because there are plenty of fighters that have been in, you know, way less of a painful or dangerous situation in boxing and they have quit. He didn't, so I gave him his credit and his respect. And the fact that you have two fighters with that mindset of, you know, you're not going to break me, you're not going to stop me from doing what I need to do.

That's what made that a fight of the year contender. And that's what makes this rematch so exciting. People want to see these types of fights because they don't come around a lot in boxing, especially not with the type of story that we have too. Which is a unique story anyway, yeah. But with any story, this is a massive story. Yeah, to have the story and have the performance live up to the story. It doesn't happen.

And part of the story was your father. And with his appearance, you know, we heard it was arranged the day before. With his appearance on the night, how much of a lift did that give you, Chris? Or were you already in a different place, a different zone? I mean, yeah, when I'm in that ring, I'm not thinking about anybody, but the task at hand. But I would be lying if I said, that his presence there didn't give me that extra little percentage to do what needed to be done.

Family is everything. My father has been a hero and an idol of mine since I was a kid. So obviously if he's there, it's going to have some type of effect. So I'm very happy he came. I'm very happy he came. When did you know he was coming? Because I spoke to you on the Thursday,

and you know, you might be a good actor, but you said you want to be, wanted him there, but you weren't sure he was going to be there. I hope I'm a good actor because I've been... He's an actor, son. I've actually been doing some scenes for the New Gentleman series on Netflix, which is coming out. It's all about Netflix today, aren't I?

Yeah, yeah. It's all about Netflix shows. So I hope that my acting is good. But when it comes to this particular circumstance, there was no acting. I had no idea he was going to come to the fight up until the night before. Yeah. You know, I'm getting ready to go to bed.

And you're getting a call. And then the phone call happens. All right, son, I'm coming. into the hotel. Like, wow, what is going on here? You can't write it. You can't make it up. You can't even. You can't make it up. But I'm happy it happened. And so let's fast forward to this fight. November 15th, the ring's going to be pitched just behind where we're sitting here, 67,000 people in there. How different? I'm going to ask you how different you can be. How different can he be?

I have no idea. You know, I didn't know he was capable of doing what he did in that ring on, in that first fight in April, so I can't say I know what he's capable of doing in the rematch. I just can't. But what I do know is my experience in rematches, my experience in fighting in general will give me the advantage. We both have that knowledge of 12 rounds. rounds with each other. So it's who's going to be able to use the information best in the

preparation for the fight. Who's going to be able to capitalize on the information that was downloaded from those 12 rounds? And that will be me in my opinion. And you brought back Brian McIntyre, Beaumach, obviously he worked with you for the second, for the rematch with Liam Smith, which ended in your favour. Was that something that you were planning on doing because it couldn't work with you the first fight? So you were going to get him for the next fight irrespective of who was against the way it was. I mean, you know,

um, me and Beaumack are one and oh when it comes to rematches. Yeah, we'll take that. I needed, um, a different set of eyes, a different set of

strategies and tactics. If I wanted to change, um, what happened in the first fight. What happened in the first fight was we went to war for 12 rounds. My goal as a fight is, get these guys out there as quickly as possible. So I can't go in there and do the same thing

if I want to change up my result of the fight. So, Bomack, it made sense to me to employ a new trainer, have a new outlook on how to prepare. You saw what he was able to do with Territz Corford against Canelo Alvarez. these guys have an impeccable training schedule and an impeccable mind for the sport. So why not use that for this rematch, which will be, you know, just as big as that fight, I believe.

And finally, Chris, and I appreciate you've got other things to do. Finally, you seem to me that you're in a decent place right now. You seem to me, I know it's your birthday tomorrow and you're going to get loads of cakes and all that kind of stuff and be with your loved ones. but you seem to me like you're in a decent place. That fair comment? I'm happy. I'm content. The truth of it is I don't actually need to be here anymore.

It's a bit tricky because there's a few people waiting behind me to talk to you. Yeah, but I'm talking about in the industry, in the life of boxing, I don't need to be here anymore. There are a lot of people, including my father, that said I should retire. But I am happy. I am content. I am peaceful. And I am confident.

in my abilities, even at 36 years old, I'm not washed up, I'm not shot, as many fighters that get to my age become. So, you guys are going to see me here for a long time to come. Chris, thanks for your time. Okay. So that was Chris Eubang, Jr. talking to me after the press conference. Now, one man that we've not heard from for a while is a man who's in the news,

and that's Ben Shalom. and also caught up with Ben Shalom after the conference, and to say that he's been catapulted back into the fire would be an understatement. I understand Chris's appeal is because he speaks his mind. And Chris's appeal is because he's not scared of the establishment. And Chris's appeal is if he sees an injustice, he'll call it, are we? Absolutely.

However, obviously, we have to then deal with sometimes what happens with that. And usually it works itself out. It's just the ball. Let's hope this does, because we don't want this to be a story of, fines and appearances in front of the board. Wanted this to be a story of an unbelievable rematch or the full fight in a family saga, whatever you want to call it.

Let me, let's get straight down to it. Were you surprised or did you always know they would have a second fight? That's rematch clauses aside. But there's a different thing. If I'm honest, I knew there was a rematch clause and there was an obligation to do a rematch. I was thinking how they're going to settle that?

Because I just thought Chris was going to steamroll him. I have to say, I thought he was going to steamroll. collar. And then we'd be there saying where's the money for the rematch and it would be a real problem. What happened was the fight actually got bigger after the fight. I noticed during five week, it was huge and then after it was absolutely monstrous. It was on TikTok.

It was Instagram. The numbers were just out of control. And I think it's because it delivered. And what an advert for British boxing. And I know this one, this is going to be twice at the side. This one I'll do this. Now, you're also really close to them there. I was talking to Jamie Ward, who was hosting the conference a little bit earlier,

and he was saying he was looking down trying to sense, you were next to Chris. When he's making all of those statements, and when he's making all of that and telling Eddie to shut up, is he as calm as he sounds? Yeah, listen, he is the best orator I've ever worked with. He is so relaxed, so calm. He doesn't, people always say, oh, you must have known he was going to say that.

He doesn't tell me. He will say, you'll enjoy it. That's the most I'll get. when I'm pushing him on hoping that nothing's going to be set out of turn but no he's incredible look he's been in the sport a long time his dad was a phenomenal showman

and he has just come into a life of his own and he's special and he makes these press conferences what they are he does make them what they are now I've got to ask you a quick question better and I haven't cleared this so if you don't want to answer it we can do something

where are we when are we going to announce the BBC day now with a date being thrown around and there's all sorts of names being thrown around can you give me something on account of you're talking It was a big transition for us. I understand that. It's a monstrous transition to go from two massive organisations.

One sky to the BBC. You know what? Absolutely. It's like in a monster like the BBC, everything from production, from talent, from everything that's had to be lined up. It's imminent. And I'm so excited because it's been a long time coming. It's almost like itchy knuckles.

We're ready for it. And once it gets going, it's going to come like a train. And as I say, next, next, I'll, I want to say the fight that we're going to announce, but we'll wait for now. And just finally, we're looking at you having a very big October, November, December. Yeah. It will come thick and fast, as I say. It's frustrating.

Our last fight was in June. I was there, son. What a night that was, eh? I didn't think it would be three or four months before our next one. But the transition was massive for us, and it just meant the teams. It meant everything has to fit. and they have to be ready and as I say

once it starts it's going to be very special listen Ben good luck with a BBC deal obviously which I will be involved with and more than that good luck with a fallout from today's whatever it was Ben Shalom thank you so that was Ben Shalom CEO of Box will of course have an exclusive

deal going forward with the BBC and also the co-promoter of this actual event so plenty of voices there's a special one to come at the end of the show don't worry about that So what have I actually learned today? Well, I've learned that Chris Eubank is as fiery as ever. I've learned that Connor Ben is intent on being a different Connor Ben in the ring.

And I'm talking off record to Nigel Ben, his father. He wants him to be a different man. We've learned that Beaumack, the trainer of Terrence Crawford, is going to be here. We've learned that Eddie, Eddie Hearn and Chris Eubank, Jr. are never going to get on. It's not for show. It's genuine. and they dislike each other. In fact, you know what?

It may have increased to, they hate each other, to be perfectly honest with you. I know one thing. I think the animosity will increase. I think the hate, and it is the right word, will increase, but also it's obvious, and I don't want to go on about it. Chris Eubank will have to answer some fairly damning, fairly damning accusations in front of the British boxing board of control.

As I said, there is a bit of a treat for you. Now, last weekend, in Belfast, before we got the news of Ricky Hatton's death, 20,000 people turned out to see the local fighter, Lewis Crocker, who lives about a mile or so away from Windsor Park. Fight in a rematch against Paddy Donovan. Now, he won the first fight, Lewis Crocker, but he won it on a disqualification when he was on the floor,

having been knocked out slightly after the bell by Paddy Donovan. It was okay. It was an illegal shot, but it was. wasn't an intentionally illegal shot. So they met again and everybody thought it would be a walkover for Padidonovan. Not Louis Crocker, it was a delight to stand and talk to him because let's get it right, one of his next fights,

in fact maybe his next flight could be against Conner Ben. How I am with Lewis Crocker from Belfast, the new IBF world to weight champion of the world. Phenomenal, man, I remember waking up next morning and I was like, did that really happen? And every time I do it, it's like, I still haven't really sunk. again, but the wake up was world champion, it's everything, you know?

In your home city? And Home City is the massive underdog. Nobody gave me a chance and to show people going to box. And in fact, I remember I came and talked to you in the dressing room afterwards, but let's get this way. It wasn't just that people gave you no chance. Let's be brutally honest. You were dismissed.

Yeah, for sure. So there's a difference to getting no chance. You were, like, dismissed. Mm-hmm. Like, they were talking about fights after this for Donovan. My name wasn't mentioned in anything. Like, it was all dawn. They got knocked out and they got stopped in the bookies, do you know what I mean?

So, completely this one. missed and to prove everyone wrong, it's great. But you never put a foot wrong for 36 minutes. Every single second you had to concentrate. That's it. Yeah, especially from the first fight. I knew how to change things up and I stayed concentrated the whole way through. And you're obviously, you've shown up here at Tottenham to obviously just have a little look,

Connor Ben and have a little look at Chris Eubank. Who knows what happens? Connor Ben and you would be good, wouldn't it? Yeah, for sure. Conner and Lewis Crocker, IBF World Warweight Championship of the World. Oh, where do I sign up? That's see. That's an exciting fight.

Without a doubt, that's one of them. You just know, that's not going to a distance. Do you know what I mean? And stakes can be higher because I'm the champion now as well. So for domestically, it's a huge fight. And Lewis, it's whatever it is, 100 hours or 100 or so hours since the fight. Are there offers in?

You don't have to tell me, have people been contacting your people to try and get you in a fight? Have there been any names thrown at you yet? See, that's where we're here today as well. You know, we'll get talking about it. I'll speak with Jamie, Frank and Eddie, and we'll see what's going forward. forward, but it's just massive fights from here on in, and whether it's in Belfast or over here,

it's just big nights. Yeah, just big nights. Big nights, man. Everything ever wanted, do you know what I mean? And I want to be a part of the biggest fight, so it's great. It is. It is. It is.

Because I know you and I were talking, you know, in the dressing room about that, you know, your first fight, which happened, you know, in Belfast, but it happened before the doors open. Yes, it happened before the doors open. So Lewis fights, but his fans can't get in because the doors aren't open. And yet, you know, a few years later, you're winning a world title in front of thousand people. I mean, who's writing the scripts, Lewis? I know, mate. I says that the stars were relaying for me, it was on Saturday night and

everything just worked out perfectly, especially like Leput's moving up and vacating the title and just everything fell in the place, mate, so it. Yeah, no one's dismissing to you. Louis is pleasure talking to you. Gentleman, thank you very much. Today was Lewis Crocker talking to me before the press conference got underway, flown over to attend, which makes all the sense in the world. Now, if you have watched clips of it, you'll know there was a story about half a toenail being missing. You'll know there was a story about an ambulance. You'll know there was plenty of accusations.

You'll also get the sense, certainly from listening to Jamie, that there was an awful lot of seething animosity. Now, I make no apologies about this boxing business. That happens. Chris Eubank, Connor Ben, will fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November the 15th this year. It will be their second fight, their rematch, if you like. Their fathers 30 or years ago, they fought to So in some ways, in some ways, this is Ubank family v Ben family four. And that's what makes this such a special fight, not just a modern special fight,

but a historical special fight. I'm Steve Bunce at the end of what's been an exceptional week for boxing with some real highs and some terrible lows. This is Five Live Boxing. The Women's Football Weekly has found a new home. It's a very only one.

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