Conor Benn warned of ‘public execution’ if he fights Chris Eubank Jr – ‘face me as an alternative’

Harlem Eubank has told Conor Benn he’s heading for a “public execution” if he fights his cousin Chris.

Instead, the Brighton boxer believes the Benn and Eubank rivalry should be reignited by himself and Conor. Eubank, 31, is moving up to welterweight for his clash with Nurali Erdogan on Friday night in Newcastle.

He believes Benn should be coming back to the 10st 7lb division instead of moving up to middleweight to take on his cousin, Chris. Benn still remains without a British Boxing Board of Control licence while UK Anti-Doping ponder an appeal to his doping charge being dismissed.

But it is clear wheels are in motion to try to make the clash with Chris Eubank Jr for next year should he get cleared of using clomifene. However, Harlem said: “The fight with Chris might be a fun fight to watch for a round or so but it is a public execution.

“In terms of reality, Chris will wipe the floor with him. It is a bit of entertainment for the public but the real fight is at 147 and deep down he knows that and he doesn’t want the challenge. It is the fight that makes sense.”

Eubank is moving up a division but his ambition remains the same. He’s been frustrated after a fight with Adam Azim at light-welterweight collapsed and left him out of the ring for a year. “It was unnecessary antics and boxing politics,” he said. “I’m in the game to get in there and fight.

“I was ready to kick on and had a lot of options on the table. It has been a frustrating time when it didn’t need to be.” But now he’s up at welterweight, Eubank insists he can win world honours as he continues to carry the family name.

“Having the name gives you the added pressure but it gives you the drive to continue to shine a light on it the right way,” he said.
“Having that legacy inspires us to go in there to perform.”

But he is motivated to win a world title in memory of his dad, former fighter Simon, who died in 2023 after a dementia battle and cousin, Sebastian, who tragically passed in 2021 when he drowned just shy of his 30th birthday. “It is something that is giving me more drive each and every day,” said Eubank.

“Having them watching over me. They were both always behind me and pushing me forward on that path and I know they will be looking down on me watching. To achieve that world title dream would be special.”

Watch Eubank v Erdogan live on Channel 5 tomorrow night from 10.30pm