Conor Benn shows true colours after losing to | Boxing News

Conor Benn teased a potential rematch with Chris Eubank Jr in a elegant interview after losing to his bitter rival through unanimous determination. The highly-anticipated bout went the way in which of the older fighter, who honoured his legendary father by claiming the spoils after 12 punishing rounds. Neither man left something on the desk in a struggle which clearly meant more than simply successful.

All three judges scored it 116-112 in favour of Eubank regardless of how close it was from the primary bell to the ultimate seconds of the final spherical. Benn was visibly distraught as the choice was learn out and appeared to be holding back tears as he embraced his father Nigel. He stored it elegant in his post-fight interview, although, as he refused to dispute the result.

Benn additionally performed down his bitter warfare of phrases with the Eubank camp earlier than the bout, dismissing it as nothing more than preventing speak.

“I don’t know,” he mentioned. “Maybe fourteen months out of the ring played a factor. That’d be the only thing, inactivity. Apart from that, I felt like it was a close fight. I’m not going to go ‘yeah I think I won it’ and all that.

“I’ve bought to watch it back. I do know it was close. I stayed on the ropes perhaps a bit too long. He labored tougher in the direction of the top. But I’ll have to watch it back.

“I enjoyed it and a massive thank you to all my supporters who came out. Some homecoming. We always knew Chris is a good fighter. All the fighting talk is fighting talk. He’s a good fighter.”

Benn went on to insist that whereas he could be open to a rematch with Eubank, he would even be completely happy to return to welterweight and face Mario Barrios for a world title shot.

“If we don’t do the rematch, which I’d love to avenge that loss, I’ll drop down to welterweight and win the WBC world title,” he added. “It’s either Mario Barrios or the rematch with Eubank. Whichever happens next, I’ll be content with.”

His father Nigel additionally spoke within the rapid aftermath of the struggle to emphasise the significance of losing gracefully. He made it clear that he was proud of his son regardless of the consequence, pledging to study what went mistaken and go back to the drafting board.

“I thought he did really well,” mentioned the elder Benn. “He’ll learn a lot from this. He’ll come back stronger. He was working too much on the ropes.

“He ought to’ve been off the ropes, however we’re not taking something away from Chris. It’s his night time. We can deal with defeat gracefully, you understand what I imply? Now we go back to the drafting board and look the place we went mistaken. That’s it.”