Chris Eubank Jr has praised rival Conor Benn ahead of their highly anticipated grudge match on Saturday night.
For many years now, fans have wondered what would happen if Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn reignited the rivalry that was first established by their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn.
This weekend at the O2 Arena in London, weâll finally get an answer as the pair collide in a huge showdown at 157 pounds.
Both men are fighting for bragging rights and they arenât just doing it for themselves, either, with the pride of their fathers resting on their shoulders too.
Read more: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn: Date, how to watch, and everything you need to know
Itâs a lot for anyone to take in and while thereâs definitely some real animosity between them, it also feels as if thereâs a certain level of mutual respect, too.
Second generation foes
Eubank Jr is the more senior of the two and during a recent interview with DAZN, he spoke candidly about the positive things he has to say for Benn.
"As soon as he turned pro, as soon as he came onto the scene, it wasnât like âIâve got to fight him nowâ, but eventually we were going to cross paths," Eubank Jr said.
"Thereâs too much history, too much interest. In the back of my mind, I always knew that we were going to fight, I just didnât know when and to be honest I wasnât expecting it to be this soon.
"But heâs got himself to a stage, to a position in his career where he has the fans, he has the hype, he can physically make the weight now."
"Very few people on the planet will ever have to do what me and him are doing, and thatâs going into the hardest sport in the world and not only having to make it in that sport but having to make it behind a legend who you will always be compared to.
"That type of pressure itâs an unknown to everybody on the planet except a few people and itâs tough."
The retirement promise
Although it may sound far-fetched to some, 33-year-old Eubank Jr has said that he plans to retire from professional boxing if he winds up losing to Conor Benn.
Read more: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn: Eubank doubles down on retirement claims
Heâs suggested it would serve as proof that he isnât where he wants to be in the sport, especially given his aim of fighting for a world championship at some stage in the immediate future.
Benn, meanwhile, arguably has nothing to lose, even with his burning desire to gain a sense of retribution for his dad.