By Sam Volz: Chris Eubank Jr played Conor Benn like a fiddle during Friday’s kickoff press conference, telling him that he intends on being a “fatherly figure” during the build-up of their October 8th fight at the O2 Arena in London.
The welterweight Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) looked highly agitated the entire time Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 KOs) was speaking with the audience. One could tell that Eubank Jr. had struck a nerve by saying that he was going to “teach him a lesson” on the night.
When Eubank Jr. offered some free advice to Benn, the Essex native looked like he was ready to come unglued.
Conor started fidgeting uncontrollably and was unable to sit still Eubank Jr calmly, in a scholarly manner, told him what was going to happen on October 8th.
Benn clearly didn’t like being given advice from Eubank Jr, as he’s become accustomed to having it easy with promoter Eddie Hearn feeding him a steady flow of older fighters well past their prime.
“His father isn’t here today, and my father isn’t here today, but I’m going to be his fatherly figure during the lead-up to this fight and on the night,” said Chris Eubank Jr. during Friday’s kickoff press conference with Conor Benn.
“I’m just saying, I’m going to be your father figure for this fight. I’m going to take you to school, walk you through the doors, and sit you down in class,” Eubank Jr. continued about his intentions for Benn.
“I’m going to stick to you and teach you every lesson you need to learn. That’s how I see this fight playing out. If you want to ask me if I have any advice for him, my advice to Conor is to get sparring partners that are going to really hurt you for the next eight weeks.
“That’s the best shot you have because October 8th, the pain you’re going to be experiencing. If you don’t get your a** kicked in the gym, then it’s going to be too much of a shock to your system when I put it on you on the night.
“So, get some tough guys in your training camp for this fight, please. That way, we can make it more of a competitive event on October 8th,” said Eubank Jr.
