Chris Eubank Jr has been fined £100,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for slapping his rival, Conor Benn, with an egg during a press conference in Manchester. The incident occurred ahead of their rescheduled fight on April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The altercation stemmed from Benn’s failed drug tests in 2022, which were later attributed to “highly elevated consumption of eggs” by the World Boxing Council. During the press conference, Eubank Jr referenced this by smashing an egg on Benn’s face, leading to a brawl involving both fighters, promoter Eddie Hearn, and Benn’s father, Nigel.
The BBBofC deemed Eubank Jr’s actions a breach of misconduct regulations, resulting in the substantial fine. Despite the penalty, Eubank Jr defended his actions, stating that he believed Benn deserved the embarrassment.
Fans have reacted to the incident with mixed feelings. Some believe the fine was justified, while others think the altercation added to the excitement of the upcoming bout. The rivalry between Eubank Jr and Benn has intensified, with their fight initially scheduled for October 2022 but postponed due to Benn’s drug test issues. Benn was cleared to fight again in November 2022 after the UK Anti-Doping Agency and the BBBofC decided not to appeal the lifting of his ban.
As the April 26 fight approaches, tensions remain high. Benn will move up two weight classes to face Eubank Jr under a 170lbs rehydration clause to ensure fairness. The boxing community eagerly anticipates this grudge match, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing feud.
In summary, the £100,000 fine imposed on Chris Eubank Jr highlights the seriousness with which the BBBofC views misconduct. Both fighters are now under scrutiny as they prepare for their highly anticipated clash, with fans and analysts alike watching closely to see how this rivalry unfolds.
