Chris Eubank Jr’s rematch defeat to Conor Benn may signal the end of his career, according to former world champions Carl Frampton and Barry Jones.
Eubank, 36, was beaten unanimously by Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, seven months after Eubank had won the first meeting. All three judges scored the fight convincingly for Benn, with Eubank unable to mount a meaningful challenge.
“It was a great performance from Conor, but this might be the time to call it a day for Chris,” Frampton told DAZN. “I’m not trying to be harsh, I’m just being honest.”
Jones echoed that view, pointing to Eubank’s lack of urgency and energy during the fight. “I do think it should be the end for Chris,” Jones said on DAZN. “It was evidence from round one that he was flat. It could be weight or it could be wear and tear, I think it’s the latter. We should give all the credit to Conor Benn, but there were opportunities for Chris to pull the trigger. He didn’t throw his punches from round one. He was quite lethargic.”
Lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson added that Eubank looked “weight drained.” Eubank, who has fought most of his recent career at middleweight, was limited by a rehydration clause on fight day that prevented him from gaining more than 10lbs after weighing in.
Oscar De La Hoya defended Eubank’s performance, saying on X: “Let me give you a little tutorial on boxing. Eubank never had a chance due weight drain.”
Coach and former boxer Paul Smith felt the bout was a step too far for Eubank but praised his career. “People who always seemed to dislike or hate him ended up growing to love him in the end. Like his dad,” Smith said.
WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew disagreed that Eubank should retire immediately but insisted Benn’s performance was dominant. “Round seven and eight, he tried to put it together but he couldn’t work out the timing and rhythm of Conor Benn,” Bellew said. “He was out jabbed, outworked and bullied. All of the good things came good to Conor Benn. That was the difference. Benn used the speed and size to his advantage. [Eubank] couldn’t deal with Conor Benn. As convincing and one-sided a win as you’ll ever see in boxing.”
Frampton also highlighted Benn’s composure, saying the challenger managed his emotions better in the rematch. “Benn was controlled with his attacks. He wasn’t putting in too much energy,” Frampton added. “I think emotions are good for Benn, but I think they were too much for him in the last fight.”
Rapper 50 Cent, who walked Eubank to the ring, called for a trilogy on X: “What a fight them boys went to war tonight, they gotta do that again.”
