If it was to be anticipated that Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn, and certainly that their respective promoters Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn, would insult one another, it got here as a shock when Benn claimed that his rival owes the soccer participant Neymar £4m.
The more and more bitter rivals got here nose to nose on Tuesday night in Manchester, England, to advertise their date of April 26 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They first agreed to combat in 2022, till Benn twice examined constructive for the banned substance clomifene.
Benn, 28, has since persistently maintained his innocence, however after his profession stalled as a consequence, they got here nose to nose once more in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the event of Eubank Jnr’s victory over Kamil Szeremeta, conscious that their combat was prone to be subsequent.
It has since been confirmed that they are going to combat at middleweight – Benn was established at welterweight once they agreed to combat at a catchweight of 157lbs in 2022 – however earlier than their departures from the Kingdom Enviornment that evening Eubank Jnr was joined within the ring by Neymar Jnr, the Brazil worldwide thought of one of many world’s main soccer gamers till his transfer to play within the evenly regarded Saudi Professional League.
The 35-year-old Eubank Jnr and Neymar are additionally identified to have performed poker collectively, however Benn, talking on the high desk of their press convention, shocked these current when he mentioned: “He’s an fool. He owes Neymar 4 million quid – that’s why he’s taken this combat. So don’t speak shit.
“I mentioned he owes Neymar 4 million quid [$5,068,000] – have you ever not heard? So don’t come speak to me about bollocks. This is the reason you have got taken this combat. And you’re about to get rendered unconscious for it. You’re cash hungry – that’s the one cause.”
Eubank Jnr had revealed that his willingness to conform to a rehydration clause that meant that they will weigh not more than 170lbs on the morning of their combat had been financially motivated. He had additionally, once more, labelled Benn a “cheat” – a reference to his failed medicine exams, not a perceived benefit or drawback in weight – earlier than showing to slap him whereas holding an egg once they got here nose to nose on the press convention’s conclusion.
The fighters, inevitably, then needed to be separated. Equally inevitably, Benn later posted on social media: “That is the one shot you will land on me you fucking prick. Two rounds you’re completed.”
By the way Neymar, 33, left the Saudi Professional League in January to return to Brazil on the conclusion of 17 underwhelming months.
