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New footage has revealed a run-in between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, with security guards and elevator doors keeping the rivals apart.
It seems the video was filmed before the Britons’ press conference on Tuesday, which promoted their April grudge match and ended with Eubank Jr cracking an egg in Benn’s face.
That stunt was a reference to Benn’s failed drug tests in 2022, which derailed a planned bout between the pair and saw Benn banned from boxing in Britain until recently; in 2023, the WBC said “elevated consumption of eggs” was a “reasonable explanation” for Benn’s adverse findings.
And new footage has shown how close Eubank Jr and Benn came to squaring off on Tuesday, seemingly before the viral “egg slap”.
In the video, Benn, standing with his father, turns to exit an elevator as the doors open. “No, no, no, it’s not this one!” says a security guard, while the camera pans to Eubank Jr, standing outside the lift.
Benn tells his rival, “You look stupid in that outfit,” unaware that Eubank Jr is storing multiple eggs in one jacket pocket. “Let’s jump in,” Eubank Jr replies with a smile.
“Oh, shut up, Chris,” Benn hits back. “Talking s***. Shut up, you’re talking s***. You won’t make it out [if you get in].” One voice can be heard telling Eubank Jr: “Stay out there.”
Eubank Jr’s “egg slap” led both boxers to be held back by security, while Benn screamed, “Get off me!” and his father Nigel grabbed Eubank Jr by the neck. Meanwhile, Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn shoved Ben Shalom, who promotes Eubank Jr.
The boxers were due to hold a face-off on Wednesday, which was cancelled after Tuesday’s fracas in Manchester, though Thursday’s follow-up press conference in London will go ahead.
Eubank Jr vs Benn is scheduled for 26 April at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The fight is set to take place more than 30 years after their fathers’ last clash; in 1990, Chris Eubank Sr beat Nigel Benn, before they fought to a draw in 1993.
