The unanimous victory of Chris Eubank Jr over Conor Benn was underlined by Punch’s statistics, which show that he has landed more strokes every turn of their 12 -laps competition at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
According to Compubox data, Eubank JR, 35, won a total of 367 punches from 912, a connection rate of 40.2%. Benn, 28, won 215 punches from 593 launched, connecting to 36.3%.
The round figures per round highlight the control of Eubank throughout the fight, the older man exceeding Benn in the 12 laps. Even in the early stages, when Benn appeared the faster and more aggressive fighter, Eubank maintained the higher punch outlet and greater precision.
The Eubank Jab was particularly effective, landing 140 strokes of 350 attempts (40%), while Benn connected with only 357 of the 137 JAB launched (25.5%). In Power Punches, the advantage was also with Eubank Jr, which landed 227 to 562 launched (40.4%), against 180 from Benn from 456 (39.5%).
Despite a cut over his right eye to the ninth round after a head confrontation, Eubank finished strongly. He landed 43, 52 and 57 punches in the last three laps respectively, compared to the 40, 30 and 29 of Benn.
Reacting to the epic battle via social media, the former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said: “Watching this fight makes me proud to be British”.
Chris Eubank Jr (right) landed more than Conor Benn (left) in each of their 12 laps
After 12 intense boxing cycles, the three judges marked the 116-112 fight in favor of Eubank JR
Anthony Joshua tweeted on Saturday evening: “Watching this fight makes me proud to be British”
The three judges marked the 116-112 fight in favor of Eubank JR, the punch statistics reflecting its coherent work pace and its clearer precision in the 36 minutes of action.
The new Ring Magazine judge also marked the competition in favor of Eubank Jr, returning a 117-111 card which reflected its constant success through the rounds.
The Robo-Juge marked the early stadiums, giving Benn the second and third laps, but had Eubank move away in the middle of the fight before dominating the championship rounds.
Benn had taken a quick start, using his speed and assault to get the first shots while Eubank Jr was working carefully behind his blow. Benn seemed to have the best of opening exchanges, showing a game of legs and fast combinations to landing while Eubank was trying to find his timing.
In the fourth round, Eubank won its first important shots, including a clean uppercut which pulled a reaction from the crowd. Benn continued to move forward, but Eubank’s Jab began to be more successful as the fight was moving into the middle towers. A shift from Benn to the fifth round has briefly disturbed his momentum, although he seems to be more caused by his own leg game than by a punch.
The competition has become more and more physical, the two men exchanging bodies inside. Eubank succeeded with left hooks and uppercuts while Benn’s work rate showed the first signs of slowdown. However, Benn responded with a large right hand to the eighth round which seemed to disturb Eubank, who was forced to cover the strings while the two exchanged heavy blows.
Despite the cut above his eye, Eubank fought through fatigue and the flow of blood to stay in the competition. During the last laps, he started to control the distance more effectively, using the blow to keep Benn remotely and find openings with uppercuts and body plans. In the 12th round, he won a decisive left hook that changed Benn on the strings, causing a strong response from the crowd. The two fighters threw the final bell, closing an exhausting competition that has visibly visibly spent.
Speaking after the fight, Eubank Jr thought about the battle and paid tribute to Benn’s performance.
Eubank Jr suffered a big cut over his right eye but fought to ensure an impressive victory
The famous Fathers of Fighters, Nigel Benn (left) and Chris Eubank Sr (right), were at the edge of the ring
“I knew I was capable of it. I just needed someone to get him out of me ” said Eubank. “I did not expect Conor to be the guy to do that. I thought I would break it early. I underestimated it.
Eubank also recognized the influence of his father, Chris Eubank SR, who was in his corner after having made a dramatic entrance earlier in the night.
“The fact that our fathers fought years ago have released a different spirit and I am happy to have my father with me,” added Eubank Jr.
“He needed to be here. All this is because of him.
It is understood that there is a revenge clause in place, with a second meeting between the two likely to take place later this year.
The rivalry between the Eubank and Benn families dates back over 30 years.
Chris Eubank Sr beat Nigel Benn in 1990 to win the WBO average weight title, before the couple fought with a brutal draw in their 1993 revenge match in Super-Middlewight.
Their ferocious battles defined British boxing in the early 1990s and laid the foundations for the second generation meeting between Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
