Eubank Jr slaps Benn with egg at chaotic face-off

At a special media conference in Manchester, Chris Eubank Jr. slapped Conor Benn with an egg in the face.

The British rivals, who will face off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, occasionally acted like petulant kids and insulted one another throughout the match.

After the required face-off, tension then poured into the Manchester Central auditorium.

Before Eubank pulled an egg from his pocket and struck Benn with his left hand, the pair exchanged words in a close-knit moment.

With his father Nigel next to him, Benn, who was already volatile, lost control, holding both boxers at bay by security personnel.

A scheduled fight between the pair in October 2022 was called off after Benn failed a voluntary drugs test, prompting a two-year battle with anti-doping authorities, before his suspension was lifted in November.

Both fighters are being tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) for the contest, despite Benn’s consistently denied intentionally doping.

His failed drugs test, according to an independent report from the WBC in February 2023, could have been the result of an “highly elevated consumption” of eggs.

Benn was ordered to be seated closer to him by Eubank, who made a slow entrance.

“I don’t know who you think you’re talking to”, responded a twitchy Benn, dressed in a black silk pyjama-like outfit.

The fighters belittled each other’s records, Eubank spoke about the injustice of a rehydration clause which means he cannot weigh more than 10lb more than the middleweight limit on fight night, and Benn said he would “render]Eubank] unconscious”.

“I’m excited to end this man’s career”, said 28-year-old Benn, who has won all 23 of his fights, with 14 stoppages.

With 34 wins in a career spanning more than 13 years, Eubank, 35, has fought at a significantly higher level. Billy Joe Saunders, George Groves, and Liam Smith are the opponents he has lost to.

“I’m going to beat him because I’m a better fighter in every department”, he said.

After their hall-of-fame fathers fought for a second time almost 32 years ago, Eubank and Benn have reignited a family feud.

Eubank Sr was not in attendance, however, and appears reluctant to be involved in the promotion of the fight.

Bottom line: “His father doesn’t even like him,” Benn remarked.

As the war of words continued, Nigel Benn and Eubank’s team, including promoter Ben Shalom, remained quiet.

But Eubank took particular aim at Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who refused to back down.

Such histrionics are unlikely to have been witnessed at Manchester Central Auditorium, which typically hosts corporate events.

A bloodline rivalry between Benn and Eubank has turned into genuine hatred. The chances of it starting are very high if you put these two rebellious Englishmen in any room together.

Asked by BBC Sport before the media conference what he thought of his opponent, Benn – without hesitation – replied: “Idiot”.

We anticipated a push or perhaps some insults that went against the grain, but Eubank’s actions surprised everyone.