Chris Eubank Jr. insists that retirement is not on his mind as he prepares for his highly anticipated rematch with Conor Benn next month. The 36-year-old, who endured a grueling first fight that left him hospitalized, has faced increasing calls to hang up the gloves - including from his father, Chris Eubank Sr.
Eubank defeated Benn over 12 exhausting rounds in April, earning Fight of the Year consideration. Despite whispers suggesting it should mark the end of his career, the British middleweight remains adamant that he still has more to give. “I’ve heard people suggest that, 36 years old, achieved so much, fight of the year, what more does he need to do? Maybe he should retire,” he said. “Because the truth is I don’t need to. If we’re talking about financial stability, I’m set for life. So I don’t need to be doing this anymore.”
However, Eubank made it clear that his motivation comes from competition, not necessity. With a record of 35 wins and 3 defeats since turning professional in 2011, he emphasized that the fire still burns. “I still feel fresh. I still feel capable,” he explained. “I still have that hunger and that fire and that desire to get up to train every day, to better myself as a fighter, to perform in front of the fans. So retirement is just not in my mindset right now. You guys are going to be seeing me for a while.”
Reflecting on the punishing first bout with Benn, Eubank downplayed its toll. “It was tough for sure, but punishing, no,” he said. “It was a dogfight. I’ve had tougher fights. The George Groves fight - I’m fighting a guy who’s 20lbs heavier, can punch like a mule, got cut. That for me was a harder fight.”
Eubank-Benn II is set for November 14 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London - the same venue where their first battle captivated British boxing fans earlier this year.
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Image Credit: Sky Sports