Unofficial 'Third Fight' Between Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn Erupts in Scuffle Before Match
The Ultimate Boxing Showdown: The Unforgettable Gladiator-Style Fight between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr
Fasten your seatbelts, folks, because we're diving into the wildest trilogy fight in the annals of combat sports – two archrivals, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr, took it to another level as they traded blows, shields, and even swords in an epic showdown on reality TV!
After a drawn battle in 1990 and a controversial rematch in 1993, Sports fans around the UK eagerly awaited a third face-off between these formidable heroes. Though a third boxing match never materialized, the stars finally aligned in 2003 for a unique but grueling reality show – 'Gladiator: Benn v Eubank'.
Set in Rome, these ex-boxers endured a five-day training stint that tested their endurance and combat skills, competing against each other in challenges fit for ancient gladiators. But things took a turn for the ridiculous when Channel 5 transformed them into gladiators with awkward, previously unheard names – Maximo for Eubank, Eracido for Benn.
The opening credits included a man running his rival through with a trident, complete with Brick Tamland from Anchorman-style bravado, which might have set the bar a tad too high. This extravaganza also gave us a sneak peek into their current lives: Eubank as the lord of the manor in Hove, and Benn among his family in Majorca, where his six-year-old son Conor Benn could be seen shadow-boxing with his old man.
Old wounds were rekindled as Benn, now 28, revealed he had not lost his disdain for the Eubank lineage. Both Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are keen to carry on their family's boxing legacy as they face off in the ring.
Their highly anticipated bout was initially scheduled for 2022, but Benn tested positive for clomifene and received a subsequent ban. The years that followed have been swarmed with insults from both camps, with a dramatic press conference clash matching the venom shared by their dads in the 1990s.
In Rome, away from the arena, things got tougher as they trained under the Italian sun at the Ostia Antica Gladiator Camp. Benn, who boxed while in the army, embraced the hard graft, while Eubank, who struggled with a series of push-up punishments, lamented taking orders from 'unaccomplished men'.
The tension peaked on day two when they were chained together, competing to guard each other's back with shields. The victor couldn't resist rubbing it in: Eubank declared Benn self absorbed, while Benn retaliated by pushing Eubank in a heated exchange.
As tempers flared, their managers and trainers stepped in to calm the volatile pair. Despite the animosity, the program also captured their growing camaraderie, with tender moments of friendship and mutual respect exchanged between the two fighters off the battlefield. So, though they may have been archrivals in combat, Benn and Eubank shared an undeniable bond as the event unfolded.
In the grand finale, the two went head-to-head in an unusual Roman amphitheater. They first faced off with swords and shields, followed by a round with maces, and concluded with a round of Greco-Roman wrestling. Though details of the specific outcome are scarce, it's clear that Benn seized the opportunity and emerged victorious, leaving Eubank to concede defeat in a gentlemanly manner.
But don't put away your popcorn just yet. These two competitive warriors couldn't resist challenging each other to a rematch, leaving us on tenterhooks for what could potentially be the real-life trilogy fight we've all been waiting for!
Additional Reading:
- Eubank Jr attracts concern after voicing weight struggles for Conor Benn fight
- Eubank Sr gives emphatic response when asked if he's attending son's fight with Benn
- Nigel Benn, despite his past with Chris Eubank Sr in boxing, expressed his ongoing disdain for the Eubank lineage, with both Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn aiming to continue their family's boxing legacy.
- In addition to their past boxing matches, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr faced off in the reality show, 'Gladiator: Benn v Eubank', where they were trained and competed in challenges reminiscent of ancient gladiators.
- The two ex-boxers continued their rivalry in the reality show, trading insults and even a heated exchange, yet they also developed a bond off the battlefield, sharing moments of friendship and mutual respect.
- The grand finale of 'Gladiator: Benn v Eubank' saw Nigel Benn emerge victorious, but the competitive spirit remained as they challenged each other to a potential rematch, leaving fans eager for a real-life trilogy fight.
