CHRIS EUBANK JR has been seen for the first time since his epic win over Conor Benn – and immediately proved he did NOT suffer a broken jaw.
Eubank Jr won the thrilling second generation grudge match in front of 67,000 fans at Tottenham’s stadium.
Chris Eubank Jr has been seen for the first time since his epic win over Conor Benn[/caption]
But after a gruelling weight cut and rehydration clause, the heroic victor went to hospital straight after the win.
His dad, Chris Eubank Sr, has now claimed that his son was “touch and go” in the aftermath of the gruelling 12-rounder.
Benn too joined Eubank Jr in hospital after claiming he had given his born rival a broken jaw.
But Eubank Jr – sporting a bruised face – denied the injury in his first TV interview but did reveal a post-fight surgery.
He told Sky Sports: “When you get into a fight for 12 rounds there are injuries that are sustained.
“I got headbutted above my eye, right in the middle of the fight it opened up and I had to go and have surgery on that, I had to sew it up.
“Conor Benn and Eddie Hearn ran away with the story that a broken jaw – there was no broken jaw here.
“We are strong, our bones are dense, I’m feeling good. I’m feeling grateful that the fight was so well received. I’m in a great place.”
His comments came after he posted a message on Instagram addressing his wounds.
He wrote: “As a fighter we sign up to walk through the fire. “Once you make it through, the burns and scars are what you have to show the world for the rest of your life. Present them with pride.”
The grudge match followed three decades on from Eubank Sr’s win and draw against Benn’s dad Nigel.
Eubank Jr vs Benn: SunSport’s verdict
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS of the Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr rivalry was settled with 36 minutes of violence.
Yet with all the tremendous heart shown by both boxers, there wasn’t much technique, skill or finesse on display here.
After tons of trash talking, egg throwing and mind games that have been played out to the world over the last three years, SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on what should be the final chapter in one of British boxing’s biggest beefs.
Read here to find out why the 12-round slugfest should not be repeated – and why the rivalry should now be put to bed.
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But the British boxing legend threatened to boycott his son’s fight amid fears over his safety.
Eubank Sr warned his boy’s best days at middleweight were over and blasted the 10lb rehydration cap in the contract.
Meanwhile Eubank Jr did fail to hit the contracted 160lb limit – by an agonising 0.05lb – costing him a £375,000 penalty.
And he was preparing to go into the bout of his life without his dad – amid their public falling out.
But, in a scene straight out of a WWE script, Eubank Sr arrived on fight night by his son’s side and helped spur on his huge win.
Eubank Jr said: “Father and son story, it can’t be surpassed by anything.
“That is the dream, that is the fantasy. A good and perfect father and son relationship.
“So for fight fans to see two men going through tough times and eventually put that to one side to unite, that isn’t boxing that’s life.”
Eubank Sr has now opened up on the terrifying aftermath of the fight.
Sr – whose 1991 win over Michael Watson left him with life-changing brain injuries – revealed on his Call Chris YouTube show: “It just brought me back all those years ago to think about what Michael went through, and I was feeling and seeing and hearing all of that.
“And I’m saying to myself, people don’t know, but my son is touch and go.
“And the only way we’re going to know whether he’s going to be okay is after the CT scans.
“He suffered mostly in the hospital because of dehydration, even though the beating was severe.”
Eubank Jr, 35, and Benn, 28, are already contracted to a rematch under the same terms with Spurs’ stadium booked for September.
Conor Benn and Eddie Hearn ran away with the story that a broken jaw – there was no broken jaw here.
Chris Eubank Jr
That is despite Eubank Jr’s struggles to make the weight, which he had boxed at for the last six years and eight bouts.
Benn is also considering a return make to welterweight to challenge WBC champion Mario Barrios, 29.
But, Eubank Jr teased: “Watch this space, boxing is a very beautiful industry where anything can happen.
“The possibilities are endless, if a rematch is meant to be it will be.”
Eubank Jr has also opened the door to fighting Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, 34, who faces William Scull, 32, over the weekend.
He said: “That is another stadium filler, absolutely.
“Wembley, Tottenham, any one of the large football stadiums in the UK would be filled for a fight like that.
“He is an opponent that I have been looking at for many years now and the fans would love to see that.
“So, 100 per cent that is a name in my line of sight and we will be doing whatever we can to secure that fight in the future.”
Eubank beat Benn via unanimous decision[/caption]
A rematch is already contracted[/caption]
Canelo Alvarez has been called out by Eubank Jr[/caption]