If it was to be expected that Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn, and indeed that their respective promoters Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn, would insult each other, it came as a surprise when Benn claimed that his rival owes the soccer player Neymar £4m.
The increasingly bitter rivals came face to face on Tuesday evening in Manchester, England, to promote their date of April 26 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They first agreed to fight in 2022, until Benn twice tested positive for the banned substance clomifene.
Benn, 28, has since consistently maintained his innocence, but after his career stalled as a consequence, they came face to face again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the occasion of Eubank Jnr’s victory over Kamil Szeremeta, aware that their fight was likely to be next.
It has since been confirmed that they will fight at middleweight – Benn was established at welterweight when they agreed to fight at a catchweight of 157lbs in 2022 – but before their departures from the Kingdom Arena that night Eubank Jnr was joined in the ring by Neymar Jnr, the Brazil international considered one of the world’s leading soccer players until his move to play in the lightly regarded Saudi Pro League.
The 35-year-old Eubank Jnr and Neymar are also known to have played poker together, but Benn, speaking at the top table of their press conference, surprised those present when he said: “He is an idiot. He owes Neymar four million quid – that’s why he’s taken this fight. So don’t talk shit.
“I said he owes Neymar four million quid [$5,068,000] – have you not heard? So don’t come talk to me about bollocks. This is why you have taken this fight. And you are about to get rendered unconscious for it. You’re money hungry – that’s the only reason.”
Eubank Jnr had revealed that his willingness to agree to a rehydration clause that meant that they can weigh no more than 170lbs on the morning of their fight had been financially motivated. He had also, again, labelled Benn a “cheat” – a reference to his failed drugs tests, not a perceived advantage or disadvantage in weight – before appearing to slap him while holding an egg when they came face to face at the press conference’s conclusion.
The fighters, inevitably, then had to be separated. Equally inevitably, Benn later posted on social media: “That’s the only shot you’ll land on me you fucking prick. Two rounds you are finished.”
Incidentally Neymar, 33, left the Saudi Pro League in January to return to Brazil at the conclusion of 17 underwhelming months.
