Conor Benn shoves Chris Eubank Jr in heated hotel lobby clash

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn were involved in a heated clash in a hotel lobby in Saudi Arabia, with the two British boxing rivals having to be pulled apart

Chris Eubank Jr and his longstanding boxing rival Conor Benn were caught up in a heated exchange at a hotel in Saudi Arabia. Eubank Jr, offspring of the boxing legend Chris Eubank, tipped the scales at a Hilton in Riyadh for his middleweight tussle with Kamil Szeremeta scheduled for Saturday (October 12).

He had stepped onto the scales in a behind-closed-doors weigh-in on Friday (October 11), before a public display was due to take place later. The 35 year old was somewhat delayed in making weight for the bout, which serves as a precursor to the undisputed light-heavyweight title showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Nonetheless, following the weigh-in, Eubank Jr encountered the 28 year old Benn, progeny of another boxing titan, Nigel Benn.

The duo, continuing the legacy of their fathers—both heavyweight champions who also shared an intense rivalry—engaged in a verbal sparring match in the presence of astonished bystanders and boxing personalities. Eubank Jr reportedly faced Benn's ire, with Benn asserting: "You're luck you're fighting tomorrow or I'd f*** you up right now."

To which Eubank Jr answered cynically: "You see this guy? He comes in when I'm cutting weight.", reports the Daily Star.

Benn volleyed back, "I'll see you tomorrow after the fight."

Eubank Jr declared, "You get in that ring."

Benn, removing his sunglasses in a defiant act, further baited his counterpart, threatening: "I'll get in that ring and I'll f***ing give it to you."

"We'll see," retorted Eubank Jr, who appeared to relish the confrontation, labeling Benn "a kid" and expressing, "Let him come close, I like this."

The tension between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr reached a new height as their entourages had to intervene to stop an altercation after Benn shoved Eubank Jr. Despite being called "a kid", Benn retorted with a threat, saying "a kid that's going to f*** you up".

Eubank Jr coolly responded: "Watch what happens."

To which Benn declared: "Dead boy walking."

Unfazed, Eubank Jr, sipping from a bottle and smirking at his adversary, was told by Benn that he needed the win before asserting: "I'll give you a good arse beating in front of 60,000, that's what's going to happen."

Benn then finished with: "I'll see you tomorrow night then - arrogant p***k."

The confrontation continued online when Eubank Jr tweeted a video of the face-off with a laughing emoji, commenting: "This little weasel @ConorNigel waited to the day I'm starving and dehydrating myself making weight, to grow some balls and pull up on me."

Benn is currently serving a temporary suspension owing to investigations into two adverse findings from drug tests conducted in 2022. This led to the scrapping of a scheduled bout with Eubank Jr on October 22 in London.

Benn, who has refuted any misconduct, was found with the fertility agent clomiphene in his system, which may enhance performance. Although his suspension was briefly lifted, it was promptly reinstated after challenges by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control.

Benn's case is still pending and he has not yet received a doping ban. However, the issue must be resolved before the BBBofC would consider reinstating his licence to fight Brighton-boxer Eubank Jr.

Despite their tumultuous past and the cancellation of their previous match, there are ongoing rumours that the pair may eventually face each other in the ring, with Eubank Jr reportedly still interested in the fight.