Crolla's Column: A family affair – next gen’s time to shine
To say there’ll be a bit of family pride at stake when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn finally meet in the middle of the ring, would be a bit of an understatement!
It’s taken two-and-a-half years for this fight to actually happen, and I can remember vividly sitting on a train on my way to the first media work out back in October 2022 when the news dropped about Conor’s failed drugs test.
What a rollercoaster it’s been since then – the latest bit of drama being the egg on face and all that business. But anyway, the fight is here now and from a promotional point of view, all the controversy and animosity has made it all the bigger.
It will be an incredible night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and although most people are only getting giddy for the main event, there are a few other cracking fights on the card.
In the cruiserweight division, Riley v Clarke jumps out at me. This is an absolute belter of a fight. Chev Clarke, as an Olympian, was being matched aggressively, but he came unstuck last time out, and it was a pretty big upset when he lost his European title against Leonardo Mosquea.
There’s a lot more pressure on Chev than there is on Viddal Riley. I love Viddal’s attitude as he could’ve gone down a different route as an influencer. He has a massive following and could’ve taken an easier path to make a load of money with Misfits.
I think he is far too good to be doing that, and I like the fact that when he’s been asked about Tommy Fury and others, he’s not entertained it. He’s putting his undefeated record on the line now on a huge show.
If Viddal loses, he’ll come again. If Chev loses, then there’ll be a lot of questions asked as he’s 34 and would’ve lost two on the bounce. All of a sudden, people will write off his chances of ever becoming a world champion.
When you analyse this fight and take into account competing at the Olympics and the calibre of opponent he’s faced as a pro, I’m leaning towards Chev to win with a close points decision.
Dropping down to light-heavyweight we have a trilogy fight. It’s one apiece for Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur, and this one really intrigues me.
After what happened in the last fight, you’ve got to make Yarde a favourite and quite a big favourite given the manner in which he stopped Lyndon in the fourth round. But that was more than three years ago.
Since the Beterbiev fight, in which Anthony was brilliant and had real moments in that fight despite ultimately losing, he’s done very little and hasn’t looked too impressive.
With Lyndon, he can be frustrating because you know he can do more. He beat Liam Cameron in a close fight, and at the time it felt like an underwhelming victory, but that certainly looks a bit better with age.
The smart money will go on Yarde for the stoppage, but I believe Arthur on points is worth a little bet. I’m sticking my neck out and backing my fellow Mancunian.
Another man I know well is in action and again, it’s a fight that I keep running through my mind. My old pal and stablemate Liam Smith is in against Ireland’s unbeaten Aaron McKenna in a middleweight bout.
Aaron is a very good fighter. He throws a lot of punches each round and has an unbelievable engine. He will really rate his chances and believe that the timing is perfect with Liam being 36 now.
For me, it all depends on what Liam has left. I’ve heard he’s been looking good in camp, and I think he might have a bit too much for Aaron. I fancy Liam to be just a touch too cute and he can eke out a close points win.
On to the main event then. All the noise, all the tension, all the reminiscing about the legendary battles their father’s had back in the 90’s, but it’s the next gen’s time. Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn was always going to sell despite the size disparity and everything that has gone on.
The big thing is whether the weight rehydration clause will have an impact on Junior. I don’t agree with it, but he’s agreed to it for a big pay day so it’s on him and his team. Even it affects him on the night, he can’t use it as an excuse afterwards as they’ve agreed to it.
But regardless, you’ve got to make him a big favourite because of the company he’s been in with. Conor’s had some decent names on paper, but he’s not won at domestic level yet.
I think inactivity is another factor and the fact that Conor seems to be too emotionally involved. He’s going to get more emotional as the fight approaches.
Look, I could be wrong, and I hear great things about Connor in the gym. He’s had unbelievable sparring, but I just worry about the emotion. There is genuine dislike from Benn to Eubank, whereas with Junior, I don’t think he’s really bothered. I think he’s a master of mind games.
When that first bell finally rings, I reckon it’ll be nip and tuck for the first few rounds and then I think it’s hard not to make Eubank a bigger favourite than the bookies have him! I expect Chris to stop him in the second half of the fight.
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