Chris Eubank Jr was scanned by a security guard right before taking to the stage for a press conference on Thursday, two days after cracking an egg in Conor Benn’s face.
On Tuesday, Eubank Jr’s stunt capped off a chaotic first press conference for April’s grudge match between the Britons, leading to the cancellation of a planned face-off on Wednesday. But Thursday’s follow-up press conference went ahead – and with extra security measures.
Not only were there security guards on stage throughout proceedings – who ensured the Britons stayed at a distance during two later face-offs – but one scanned Eubank Jr with a device labelled “egg scanner” as he stepped on stage.
“Did I cross the line?” Eubank Jr said during the event. “During this whole process over the last two-and-a-half years, I think many lines have been crossed. I’m sitting up here today, on stage, with two of the scummiest characters in boxing in my opinion: a drug cheat, and a man who did everything in his power to help him get away with it.” The latter accusation was aimed at Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn.
Re-live the tension of Thursday’s press conference:
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
- Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn met at second press conference this week
- Tuesday's press conference ended with Eubank Jr slapping Benn in face with egg
- Eubank Jr 'scanned' for eggs ahead of Thursday's follow-up press conference
- Security guards remained on stage throughout event and during later face-off
How to buy Eubank Jr vs Benn tickets ahead of 'biggest' British fight ever
10:30
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr on egg slap to Benn: 'The minimum you're gonna receive'
10:27
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Alex Pattle
Looking back, Ben Shalom 'wouldn't have stopped' Eubank Jr's egg slap if he'd known
10:22
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Alex Pattle
Ben Shalom tells The Ring that he wouldn’t have stopped Chris Eubank Jr slapping Conor Benn with an egg if he’d known: “It was iconic.” pic.twitter.com/vdK7x8q5DU
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 28, 2025
Eubank Jr threatens Nigel Benn and sparks irate reaction from Conor
09:46
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 21:42
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Alex Pattle
Conor Benn made Ben Shalom flinch after the Chris Eubank Jr face-off.#FatalFury Ring Magazine showdown on April 26th in collaboration with @KOFstudio_EN. pic.twitter.com/whcufIYjbt
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 27, 2025
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 20:00
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Alex Pattle
Here’s a recap of everything important that was said and done today, thanks for following our coverage!
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 19:30
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Alex Pattle
One final face-off, just now, down on the pitch...
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 19:21
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 19:15
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 19:09
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 19:03
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:56
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Alex Pattle
A face-off ensues, with the boxers stood further apart this time. No contact, no strikes, no eggs. Phew.
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:50
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:49
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Alex Pattle
Nigel Benn on the egging: “I didn’t know, I actually thought you glassed him, mate. I almost got my hands around your throat.”
Eubank Jr: “You did put your hands around my neck. I’m just letting you know I’m giving you a pass, but if you touch me again, you won’t get your hand back.”
Conor: “Shut your f***ing mouth.”
Nigel: “Con, mate, leave it. I can handle this. I understand, [Chris], and I apologise for doing that, mate. You put your hands on my son.”
Eubank Jr: “Yeah, ‘cause we’re fighters.”
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:47
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Alex Pattle
Nigel Benn says his son will stop Eubank Jr in four rounds.
He reiterates that Conor walks around at a big-enough size to be fine with Eubank Jr’s weight.
He also echoes his sentiment from Tuesday, that he’s more confident in Conor here than he was in himself ahead of his rematch with Chris Sr.
He’s convinced that Conor will basically stop Eubank Jr as soon as he hits him clean.
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:45
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Alex Pattle
Benn’s coach Tony Sims: “It’s actually nice to talk about boxing and the fight.
“It’s been a long time coming, and we started camp a couple of weeks ago in Mallorca.
“As you know, Conor’s last couple fights have been at 154lb, so 160lb ain’t a big jump for him. He’ll be in great condition on the night.”
Sims says he was at Eubank vs Benn 2 in 1993. “I believe, 30 years on, the atmosphere... I think it’s gonna be an absolutely fantastic fight. Conor’s gonna bring that ferociousness to the fight, he’s a carbon copy of his dad.”
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:43
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr denies that Benn has a 60-40 purse split in his favour.
He says there was no split, and that he gave Alalshikh “a diabolical, inconceivable number” for what he wanted to be paid.
He says Alalshikh replied: “Done, I’ll send you the contract on Monday.”
Eubank Jr jokes that he should have asked Alalshikh for even more!
Hearn admits he was “pulling [Eubank Jr’s] leg” about the purse split on Tuesday.
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:40
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Alex Pattle
Eubank Jr says it’s never sat right with him that the undercard fighters from the scrapped event in October 2022 didn’t get paid.
“From my purse from this fight, I will be giving £50,000 to the fighters on that undercard to split between them – to cover some of the losses that they endured,” Eubank Jr says.
Shalom claps, Eubank Jr stops him, Hearn says: “I thought he was gonna say ‘£50,000 each’.”
Hearn says all of those fighters were quickly added to different events. He says it’s a “lovely gesture” anyway. Not sure that was sincere....
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:38
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Alex Pattle
Hearn is presented with a large egg replica, courtesy of Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh.
Eubank Jr: “This worm [Hearn] actually tried to put in my contract that I couldn’t say anything negative about promoters at the press conferences.”
Hearn denies this.
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:36
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Alex Pattle
Hearn says to Eubank Jr: ”You don’t care anymore.”
Benn: “He’s an idiot, that’s all there is to say to him. I can’t wait for him to get smashed to pieces on 26 April.
“His own team don’t like him, look at them, they’re pretending.”
Benn threatens to “slap” Ben Shalom. “Sorry, mum,” he adds.
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:34
Eubank Jr interrupts Hearn, as he did on Tuesday.
Eubank Jr: “I'm here to speak to [Benn], taunt him, see what's in his mind.”
Benn: “You fought for the IBO world title in a leisure centre. That’s your greatest achievement. I’ve turned it down, it ain’t a legitimate world title.”
Hearn speaks again, to which Eubank Jr says: “You’re speaking for too long, Hearn. I don’t care how you weasel your way in, I’m not listening.”
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:32
Eubank Jr: “Did I cross the line? During this whole process over the last two-and-a-half years, I think many lines have been crossed.
“I’m sitting up here today, on stage, with two of the scummiest characters in boxing in my opinion: a drug cheat, and a man who did everything in his power to help him get away with it.
“So, me throwing an egg at somebody who absurdly claims that is the reason he failed two drug tests, contamination from eggs... I think that’s light, and I think that’s deserved. I think he deserved the embarrassment of what happened. If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would.
“Unfortunately, I come unarmed today, I’ve been thoroughly searched multiple times, I couldn’t sneak any in.
“This is going to be a real fight, this is going to be a bloodbath, this is going to be like the first fight between my father and Nigel Benn.”
Eubank Jr patted down by security after egg stunt at previous Benn press conference
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:28
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Alex Pattle
@ChrisEubankJr gets an interesting welcome to the press conference #EubankBenn #FatalFury | Apr 26 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | @ringmagazine | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/oseRxDWt9a
— BOXXER (@boxxer) February 27, 2025
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:25
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Alex Pattle
Benn is on stage, still looking for Eubank Jr.
Here he comes, and he’s scanned by a security guard! As if he’s being checked at an airport!
Would that pick up eggs?! I don’t know. Even Benn seems to smile at that...
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference begins
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:20
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Alex Pattle
Everyone is on stage except the fighters.
I can see Benn to one side, prowling about, trying to spot Eubank Jr across the room. I still can’t see Jr.
Legendary MC Michael Buffer is getting things up and running.
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference minutes away
Thursday 27 February 2025 18:13
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Alex Pattle
We’re expecting the fighters, coaches and promoters on the stage very, very shortly. That tension is in the air again...
A few security guards are already on stage.
♟️
— BOXXER (@boxxer) February 27, 2025
The punditry breaks down the early mind games from the first press conference #EubankBenn #FatalFury | Apr 26 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | @ringmagazine | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/jUEWrH6nEb
Benn jokes he'll 'take care' of dad Nigel's 'dirty laundry' with win over Eubank Jr
Thursday 27 February 2025 17:55
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Alex Pattle
Conor: "He's left me his dirty laundry."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 27, 2025
Nigel: "Cheers son."
This exchange between Conor Benn and his father Nigel pic.twitter.com/6JHxhufPK0
Scary British heavyweight offers thoughts on egg incident
Thursday 27 February 2025 17:44
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Alex Pattle
Yesterday, unbeaten heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma spoke to The Independent.
The Briton, 20, revealed that his first memory of watching boxing was Eubank Jr’s loss to Billy Joe Saunders in 2014 (a new generation of fan and boxer!).
And here’s what the young knockout artist had to say about Eubank Jr’s slap on Benn: “It’s a marketing move.
“Listen, me personally... if I was Conor Benn, I would be fuming. I’d feel mad disrespected.
“But at the same time, Chris is playing the game, so you can’t blame him. He is doing very well, playing the game.”
Full interview coming to Indy Sport next week.
Benn set for shock Canelo match-up if he beats Eubank Jr?
Thursday 27 February 2025 17:39
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Alex Pattle
Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh wants the winner of Eubank Jr vs Benn to box Saul “Canelo” Alvarez next, which is a strange revelation for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, a Eubank Jr vs Benn rematch is expected. Secondly, while Eubank Jr has been linked to Canelo in recent years, Benn has not – and for good reason.
Benn is already moving up from 147lb to 160lb to fight Eubank Jr, and he’d have to move up AGAIN to 167lb to face Canelo.
The Independent understands Benn is committed to returning to 147lb after fighting Eubank Jr, whether he boxes his rival once or twice.
In fact, Benn said this week, per Talksport: “Nah, I’m good, I will have to pass [on fighting Canelo].”
Odds for long-awaited Eubank Jr vs Benn grudge match
Thursday 27 February 2025 17:33
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Alex Pattle
William Hill has the odds for April’s main event as such:
Eubank Jr – 4/6
Benn – 6/5
Draw – 16/1
The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
New footage reveals Eubank Jr and Benn in tense elevator run-in
Thursday 27 February 2025 17:09
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Alex Pattle
New footage has revealed a run-in between Eubank Jr and Benn, with security guards and elevator doors keeping the rivals apart.
It seems the video was filmed before the Britons’ press conference on Tuesday, which ended with Eubank Jr cracking an egg in Benn’s face.
In the video, Benn, standing with his father, turns to exit an elevator as the doors open. “No, no, no, it’s not this one!” says a security guard, while the camera pans to Eubank Jr, standing outside the lift.
And here’s what happened next:
Yesterday's face-off cancelled after egg drama
Thursday 27 February 2025 17:00
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Alex Pattle
Today’s press conference was actually supposed to feature the third face-off between Eubank Jr and Benn this week.
However, after the drama at Tuesday’s press conference, a separate face-off on Wednesday was cancelled.
When the news of that cancellation dropped, it was nevertheless confirmed that today’s press conference WOULD go ahead.
Still, expect extra security today, and extra caution around any staredowns...
Tony Bellew shares theory behind Eubank Jr's egg attack on Benn
Thursday 27 February 2025 16:51
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Alex Pattle
Former world champion Tony Bellew had a few thoughts on the egg attack.
He essentially provided blow-by-blow analysis on the viral moment while watching a replay, and here’s what he had to say about Eubank Jr’s planning:
Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn shoves rival Ben Shalom amid Eubank Jr fracas
Thursday 27 February 2025 16:37
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Alex Pattle
Among the fracas on Tuesday, Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn shoved Ben Shalom, who promotes Eubank Jr.
Hearn and Shalom have become ‘friends’ in recent months, with the latter having been welcomed into the Riyadh Season fold by Turki Alalshikh.
However, there still seems to be some tension between the promoters, and that came out when Hearn reacted to the ‘egg slap’ by pushing Shalom.
The pair then conducted a few tense interviews together...
Behind the scenes of the fiery first press conference
Thursday 27 February 2025 16:23
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Alex Pattle
What if I told you that getting slapped in the face with an egg was not the worst part of Conor Benn’s day?
No, the worst moment might have been when he threatened a journalist, saying: “If somebody starts asking me trick questions, I’ll throw you out the room, do you hear me? I’ll drag you by the neck outside.”
Thankfully, Benn later apologised and gave the journalist a hug – “a cuddle”, which was begrudgingly accepted.
Tensions were high (you might have gathered) even before Benn’s first press conference with Chris Eubank Jr began.
Behind the scenes:
This week's big story: Eubank Jr slaps Benn with egg
Thursday 27 February 2025 16:11
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Alex Pattle
So, this has been the main talking point in the boxing world this week.
Here’s how the moment played out, as Eubank Jr slapped Benn in the face with an egg...
Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE
Thursday 27 February 2025 16:00
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Alex Pattle
For the second time this week, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will meet at a press conference for their grudge match.
Ahead of their April clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the British rivals will share a stage at that same venue, two days after their first press conference ended in chaos.
That tense event was punctuated by Eubank Jr slapping Benn in the face with an egg, a reference to the WBC’s 2023 claim that “elevated consumption of eggs” was a “reasonable excuse” for Benn’s adverse drug-test results in 2022.
Those adverse findings thwarted Eubank Jr vs Benn at the 11th hour in October 2022, but the foes will finally square off in April, more than three decades after their fathers settled their own bitter grudge.
Will today’s press conference bring more chaos? Follow live to find out...