Senior boxer Chris Eubank met his son, also a boxer Conor Benn, under a concealed identity prior to their fight.
Woodwork Reveals: Chris Eubank Sr's Undercover Meeting with Son Before Conor Benn Fight
The unexpected appearance of Chris Eubank Sr at the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight this weekend sparked a storm of cheers and emotions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But little did the audience know about the covert operation that lined up this father-son reunion.
Midway through the card, the big screen showcased Eubank Sr stepping out of a black SUV, causing the crowd to explode in anticipation. However, his appearance had been kept hush-hush until the moment, leaving fans buzzing as to whether they'd be graced by his presence at the event.
Yet, senior claimed he was always going to be in his corner, if need be, and has now shed some light on how he managed to meet up with his son under the radar before the all-British spectacle.
"Junior called and said, 'I didn't want to call dad because I can't hear anything negative'," revealed the boxing legend in a YouTube video. Continuing, he explained, "I said to Junior, 'Okay, so where are you? So he explained... a Park Plaza.
"How am I going to get in? Now, in my mind, you have the world's media there. Everyone's hanging around. How am I going to get in? Okay, so I put on the disguise."
Eubank Sr's disguise, well-planned to the last detail, was a masterstroke in deception - an ankle-length Issey Miyake coat, a hooded green mod-style coat favored by the 60s motorcyclists, a mask with a cap, and plimsolls for the shoes. Unsurprisingly, Eubank Jr. remarked, "Wow, there's no way anyone's going to recognise you looking like that!"
As promised, Eubank Sr managed to sneak in, getting in touch with his son around 8:10 p.m., the night before the fight. The surprise appearance left Irish boxing legend Steve Collins bewildered, comparing the entire scene to a WWE WrestleMania event.
"Did they plan this? What a promotional masterstroke. What a stroke they pulled tonight," Collins commented on talkSPORT, following the revelation.
In the end, it was a knockout night for both the Eubanks, as Junior claimed a unanimous decision win over Benn. After the grueling match, Sr graced talkSPORT with an interview: "I was always going to be here for my son, irrespective of what you thought."
Sources:[1] https://www.sportskeeda.com/boxing/articles/conor-benn-opposes-father-chris-eubank-sr-returning-corner-bronze-bomber[2] https://www.express.co.uk/sports/boxing/1702545/Conor-Benn-Chris-Eubank-jr-father-son-boxing-fight-rivalry[3] https://www.sportskeeda.com/boxing/news-chris-eubank-sr-wears-disguise-meet-son-chris-eubank-jr-conor-benn-fight[4] https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/disguise[5] https://www.worldboxingnews.net/benn-calls-out-father-eubank-sr-after-eubank-jr-win/
- Chris Eubank Sr's unexpected appearance at the MMA or football event would have been a stunning surprise, similar to what happened at the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight.
- The Premier League organisers might consider a covert transfer involving Eubank Sr, given his masterful deception in meeting his son before the boxing match.
- Boxing isn't the only sport where Eubank Sr has demonstrated his promotional skills; his undercover meeting with his son could inspire strategies in MMA or any other sports.
- In the world of sports, there have been many disgraces, but Eubank Sr's disguise to meet his son before a big fight could be one of the most creative.
- The screen that revealed Eubank Sr's appearance at the fight was not the only screen that could have been used for a surprising reveal; Eubank Sr himself could be a candidate for a surprise transfer to another sport, given his versatile deception skills.
