CHRIS Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are finally clashing RIGHT NOW in a huge bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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- Benn starts the round with two big left hooks that have Eubank Jr’s head whipping round.
- Benn then has Eubank Jr on the ropes and he uses his glove to shove Eubank’s head right back past the ropes – Victor Loughlin not too fussed by that.
- Eubank Jr tries to land another right but Benn is quicker to the punch and has responded nicely after struggling a bit in the previous two rounds.
- Another uppercut from Eubank Jr finds its mark but Benn isn’t worried by it and plants his feet to land a really good right.
- Eubank Jr is having good success with his jab but they aren’t punishing shots just yet – Benn can walk through them but they are scoring very nicely.
- Tough one to score for me, both fighters had success in that round.
- But the pace has settled down a lot, which should favour Eubank Jr as we move into the second half of the fight.
- During the interval of that round Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice are then shown on the big screen.
- And yet more boos ring round the stadium.
- Even before the round starts they are screaming at each other!
- Conor Benn really does NOT like Chris Eubank Jr.
- Benn is then on the floor and does a backwards roly poly to get back up, that came from a push and a trip – nothing there.
- The pair then get close and there’s a good exchange with both men landing crunching shots.
- Eubank Jr gets another good left into the body with the bigger fighter then landing a nice jab and then a good one-two to follow.
- Much better again from Eubank Jr – in white and red shorts – as he comes more onto the front foot.
- More jabs as Eubank Jr just plants himself in the middle of the ring and gets Benn working backwards.
- Eubank Jr looking on top in this one again and smiling his way through the round.
- Benn definitely slowing down from those explosive early rounds.
- Both continue to throw and land to the final bell, but Eubank Jr scores another round.
- I have it 3-2 to Benn.
- Eubank Jr really needs to stamp his authority on this fight a bit more, it’s not good enough from him.
- Some of these judges may well have this 3-0 to Benn, that would be very easy to see.
- Eubank Jr finally wakes up a bit and goes with a 1-2-3 to the body that has Benn taking big steps backwards.
- The two fighters continue to talk to each other throughout the rounds.
- Eubank Jr then lands a left and follows it with a lovely right uppercut.
- Benn not bouncy enough there, he can’t afford to sit still and trade – he must use his speed advantage.
- The man in black trunks then tries to throw that explosive right but misses, before Benn lands a nice left to the head as Eubank Jr dipped his head.
- Another shot from Benn draws gasps on the crowd but it doesn’t affect him.
- Eubank Jr then ends the round by pushing Benn onto the ropes and putting in a quick bit of good work.
- Eubank Jr’s best round in my books.
- Benn’s trainer tells him he needs to “relax” a bit more but is impressed with the work he’s doing with his jab.
- The camera then cuts to Eubank Sr – who’s sat ringside, not in the corner – and his message is that he needs to throw that jab out more.
- Slower pace to the start of the third round as Eubank Jr lands a decent jab.
- Benn then lands a massive left and Eubank Jr just looked a bit wobbly!
- That will give Benn massive confidence!
- Eubank Jr then holds and he manages to slow down the pace for the rest of the round.
- At the end of the round the pair both fall to the canvas in the clinch – Eubank Jr clearly trying to use that weight advantage but is pulled over.
- Benn then ends the round with a nice right to the body.
- Another fast start from Benn as he throws in two quick rights.
- Ref Victor Loughlin then brings them in for a chat after they fail to break quickly enough after he says so.
- Eubank Jr lands two left jabs but then Benn swings a quick right that seems to have Eubank stumbling but it’s just where there feet tangle.
- Slow start here from Eubank Jr and the jab is not moving that snappily – it’s hard to tell if he’s lost some speed or just trying to feel himself into the fight.
- It’s the opposite from Benn, who continues to come in aggressively with and look for those massive one-twos.
- The bell goes and the pair of them share MORE words at the end of the round.
- Eubank Jr straight into the centre of the ring and it’s a ferocious start to the contest from Benn.
- He unloads two or three wild shots with everything he has but catches nothing but air.
- Eubank Jr is just sitting in the centre and certainly looks a little bit more composed in there.
- Both fighters certainly a little bit crippled by some nervous energy.
- Benn then lands a nice right hand but Eubank Jr doesn’t flinch and continues to work off the jab.
- Lots of movement from both but the pace slows as we reach the end of the round.
- Benn then lands another right and continues to throw with full power.
- Two decent left hooks from Eubank Jr but they don’t really land clean.
- Then at the end of the round they share some words before going back to their corners.
- Victor Loughlin has a quick word with the two fighters and there is a final INTENSE staredown between them.
- The bell sounds and we are underway!
- I can’t wait for this one!
- It’s very rare to hear a boxing crowd boo BOTH fighters.
- But that’s exactly what is happening here tonight.
- Usually you’d expect a 50/50 reaction or at least mixed, but it seems like some of these paying fight fans have spent their hard earned cash but don’t want either fighter to win.
- Michael Buffer: “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
- Let’s go!
- Lovely moment as Michael Buffer gives a special introduction to both Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr.
- There’s a mixture of boos, cheers, applause but the noise was LOUD when that happened.
- Michael Buffer is running through all the names who made this fight happen.
- A would say we’re not far away but then he continues to read them off.
- Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn embrace in the ring as the two men – rivals for three decades – share a cuddle and a quick word.
- Sr did also try to get at Conor but Nigel pulled him away.
- The respect is definitely there, though.
- Eubank Sr is the man putting on Jr’s gown – which is a John Motson-inspired sheepskin number.
- Jr then follows in HIS father’s footsteps as yet another anthem rings around the Tottenham Hotspure Stadium.
- Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’ is his song choice as he makes his way onto this stage.
- A mix of boos and cheers echo around the stadium, it really does seem to be a bit split for who the fans want.
- Sr remains on stage with Jr as he takes in the spectacle.
- Jr takes his time getting to the ring as a symphony orchestra plays out Dr Dre’s ‘Still Dre’.
- What a spectacle this is.
- There are certainly boos when he gets into the ring wearing his dad’s signature black shoes, black gown and black gloves.
- They share a quick embrace before Eubank Jr’s name is called out.
- Here comes Conor Benn as he walks out surrounded by dad Nigel, trainer Tony Sims and promoter Eddie Hearn – as well as security.
- As he makes his way from the bowels of the stadium and into the open air, there’s a gospel choir singing Fugees anthem ‘Ready or Not’.
- Boos greet him but then the 60,000 inside the stadium decide to sign along to such a banger.
- The choir then belt out dad Nigel’s theme song, the reggae banger ‘Dangerous’.
- Goosebumps.
- God Save The King is now being played, the final preparations are taking place in the dressing room.
- Benn takes a sip of water and Eubank Jr has his gloves checked and signed by the British Boxing Board of Control.
- Michael Buffer cries out: “Let’s get this party started!”
- I reckon the ring walks are no more than a couple of minutes away.
- Conor Benn was just spotted there putting his gown on and Eubank Jr is getting his groin protection and shorts on.
- Michael Buffer is now in the ring…
- Not very long to go now, the boxing anthem is belting out and 60,000 fans belt it back.
- The noise inside the stadium is at absolute fever pitch!
- Wow I didn’t think the scorecards would be as wide as that!
- Anthony Yarde takes eight rounds for two of the judges, while the other judge gives him seven.
- I think eight is probably a few too many, but perhaps the judges appreciated his activity and forward movement over Arthur’s counter-punching and patience.
- Huge result for both men, though. Anthony Yarde as put himself back into contention for a world title fight – you would think – while Lyndon Arthur will have to go back to the drawing board.
- We’re just waiting for the judges to get their scores together…
- Arthur’s corner: “Why are you f***ing sitting there, we told you to get off the ropes!”
- Final round and there is very little between these two, this round is going to be absolutely massive!
- Better start from Arthur as he heeds his corners advice and starts working from the centre of the ring, landing a nice combo.
- But Yarde is so physically strong that he just shoves him back onto the ropes and gets back to work.
- Arthur can’t get out of there and with 90 seconds to go Yarde is definitely on top.
- You can hear the screams from both corners as the two fighters continue to engage in a gruelling physical battle.
- Yarde impressing with more shots to the body but and much, much more activity, even if they aren’t the cleanest shots around.
- Arthur still continues to throw and lands a beautiful uppercut that just knocks Yarde’s head back.
- Into the final 20 seconds and both continue to throw.
- The final bell goes! I have absolutely no idea what way that one is going to go.
- Arthur had the first half of the fight and Yarde the second half, but it could go any way.
- Penultimate round.
- “Excellent, keep it up, this is your time now,” are the words coming from Yarde’s corner.
- Yarde is right back into this now and is looking much bouncier and lively with two rounds to go.
- The pair then get right back on top of each other and both continue to throw and have limited success.
- Yarde lands a nice straight right on the nose but there’s not much power in that one.
- Arthur continues to be stuck on the ropes and throw and throw and throw.
- More to the body from Yarde and at the end of that round he starts landing a lot of shots.
- Arthur no longer moving out the way like he did!
- One of those body shots absolutely crunched Arthur and he does not look happy going back to his corner!
- Massive round incoming!
- Three rounds left here, I have Arthur ahead but Yarde is still looking really dangerous and has clawed some rounds back in the last couple.
- The fight falls back into the same pattern with Arthur backed up against the ropes and Yarde trying to find some shots.
- Yarde is dictating the style but you couldn’t say he’s controlling the fight.
- Arthur continues to not allow Yarde to land much clean and he is throwing decent shots back that will also have the judges impressed.
- However, it’s not clear how much of a physical toll this will be taking on the Mancunian, who is being bodied by the barrel-chested Londoner.
- Case in point when Arthur has the chance to spin out of his position on the ropes but is too tired to get out of there.
- Yarde continues to work the body as well as upstairs and Arthur’s legs just start to look heavy as he trudges back to the corner.
- He didn’t like that at all.
- Yarde is still piling forward but he’s not causing much trouble at all.
- He continues to put in more workrate but the shots aren’t coming clean and Arthur is comfortable working defensively off the ropes and landing counters.
- There are some good shots coming in by both men.
- Arthur manages to get a bit of distance and lands a lovely left before Yarde comes right back onto his shoulder to try and work up close.
- Both men are putting everything into this.