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On April 26, the long-awaited grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn finally takes centre stage.

🥊 With controversy already fuelling the buildup, will the drama continue once the bell rings? Let’s explore the odds and analytics.

An introduction to Eubank Jr and Benn

Those of a certain age or who love to watch old boxing videos on YouTube will know this is not the first Eubank v Benn rivalry.

It was 35 years ago when Chris Eubank Snr ended the unbeaten record of Conor’s father, Nigel, with a ninth-round victory. The pair met again at Old Trafford in Manchester nine months later, and on that occasion, the fight ended in a draw.

Ever since their sons turned professional, there has been talk of the pair renewing the rivalry.

Both have campaigned in different divisions and had their share of title success. The pair were due to meet last October, but two failed drug tests by Benn led to the British Boxing Board of Control preventing the fight from taking place.

Controversy and drama in the lead-up to the fight

Now, the scene is set for the event to be televised on April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur’s New White Hart Lane stadium.

The run-up to this fight has already been a heated one. Benn has had his suspension lifted, and it was claimed that eating too many eggs may have caused the failed drug tests.

At a press conference, Eubank Jr. shocked everyone by cracking an egg over Benn’s head, which resulted in his being fined £100,000.

Keeping the two apart before this fight takes place is not going to be easy, but it will help sell tickets.

Betting odds and key factors: who has the edge?

Eubank Jr is the odds-on favourite to win the fight and is generally available at 4/7 to become the first fighter to beat Benn, according to OffersBet UK.

👉 Let’s look at why this is the case, because when betting on boxing, there are a lot of factors to consider—remember to gamble responsibly.

The weight advantage: middleweight vs. welterweight

The major factor in this fight is that it is being held at middleweight. Eubank has spent the vast majority of his career campaigning at this weight. He is currently ranked second in this division by the IBF, third by the WBC, and sixth by the WBA.

Meanwhile, Conor Benn is ranked the number three contender by the WBC and fifth in the WBA listings—but at welterweight. That is two divisions below Eubank Jr, which is the key factor. Moving up in weight is never easy; far bigger names than Benn have attempted the challenge and failed miserably.

Eubank Jr’s pedigree vs Benn’s experience

Eubank Jr is the current IBO middleweight champion and has previously won the WBA interim title. He has also fought in the super-middleweight division and is a former IBO champion.

On the other hand, Benn has won some professional titles, most notably the WBA Continental welterweight title in 2019.

He successfully defended that belt eight times, but the calibre of his opponents has not been as high as those faced by Eubank Jr.

Battle-tested: Eubank Jr’s record vs Benn’s unbeaten streak

Eubank Jr. has lost three professional fights, two of which were against Liam Smith last year (since avenged) and George Groves, the latter at super-middleweight.

🙌 His only other loss at middleweight occurred 11 years ago when being beaten by Billy Joe Saunders. All three boxers to beat him have held world titles.

Benn, in contrast, is undefeated in his professional career, winning all 23 of his fights.

However, his opposition has not been of the same level as Eubank Jr’s, which raises questions about how he will handle this step up in competition.

Recent form and fight preparation

Eubank Jr’s last fight was in October 2024, when he beat Kamil Szeremeta in seven rounds to win the IBO middleweight title.

This is a risky fight for him, and he must ensure that the controversy surrounding this fight is ignored. Hence, he stays focused on the job at hand and keeps himself in contention for a world title shot, possibly against Canelo Alvarez.

Benn’s planned fight against Eubank Jr was delayed due to his suspension, putting his career on hold.

Since then, he has had two fights in the USA, the most recent being a victory over Peter Dobson in February 2024. That opponent took him the complete 12 rounds but lost again.

So, remember these details before you hit the sportsbook.

Prediction: can Benn overcome the odds?

This does promise to be a fascinating fight, though unlikely to be as thrilling as those between their fathers.

The lack of activity for Benn and the rise in weight makes this a difficult task for him. Eubank Jr is so used to fighting at middleweight and has a better caliber of opponent on his record.

An inside-the-distance win can be backed at around 6/4 and looks like the likely result.

Want to know more? See the latest sports betting news here.