Chris Eubank Sr has now called for the boxing world to boycott his son's fight with Conor Benn over fears he could suffer brain damage.
His son Chris Eubank Jr will take to the ring this weekend in a huge all-British clash with long-term rival Benn at London's O2 arena. The pair have agreed to a huge bout which will take place 32 years on from when their fathers first met in the ring during a classic middleweight rivalry.
Eubank's father has expressed concerns over his son accepting the fight, which have come from Eubank Jr being required to cut to 157lb for the contest which is his lowest weight since he was 18-years-old. He threatened to pull his son out from the fight, but Eubank Jr later allayed fears and refused to grant his father's wishes.
However, casting fresh doubts that he will be in his son's corner for fight night, Eubank Sr has now suggested that others boycott the clash over fears his son . He sent a fresh statement to The Fight Is Right, which read: 'Dear Spencer and The Fight Is Right. Boycott the fight. You know what three pounds beneath the middleweight limit at 33-years-old can do. This is how brain injuries occur."
Despite Eubank Sr's fears it appears that the fight will be going ahead as planned, with the 33-year-old having already signed the contract without his father's blessing. His rival will likely have his father in his corner, with former middleweight star Nigel having been heavily involved in his son's training camp.
It will also be an uphill battle for Benn who will be forced to put on 10lb of weight to reach the catchweight, which has seen a hefty fine imposed for either fighter who could miss the weight. Eubank Jr has always campaigned at a minimum of 160lb since 18-years-of age, with the rehydration clause also leading to his father's unhappiness over the fight agreement.
Who do you think will win - Chris Eubank Jr or Conor Benn? Let us know in the comments section below
Eubank Jr recently discussed his legendary father's fears during a recent public appearance, where he suggested his stance was affected by emotion due to the passing of his brother Sebastian. “My father has kept his distance," Eubank Jr revealed when discussing his fight with Benn during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
"He wanted me to wait, he didn’t want me to take this fight and he wanted me to wait another year. It’s not that he is scared. He is an emotional man and in that moment in time he let his emotions get the better of him.
"I lost a brother a year ago and that is the cold, hard truth of it. And he just doesn’t want to take any risks now. I understand that but as a man I have signed a contract and I have said I am going to do something so regardless of worries and fears I am going to do it.”
