By Mtego Wachui
📧 Email: mtegowachui@gmail.com
▶️ YouTube Channel: kwasimutokalondon
Equally called pugilism, the sport is as old as when humans started punching each other during conflict; show or for fun.
Dear reader, you might not like boxing… Hey! Watching athletes using fists to demolish each other for money, fame and fortune, might disgust you. However, do not skip the page yet. Like most things in sports, our article is more than knuckles, sweat and concussion.
Last Saturday’s boxing event at Hotspur Stadium in North London, where 67,000 spectators watched (plus thousands more on pay per view), was about family honour. All cultures in the world have proverbs regarding the significance of family. “A happy family is but an earlier heaven” (Italian). “Family comes first” (Japanese). “If your family does not sell you, strangers will not buy you.” (African).
The story kicked off in 1990 when Chris Eubank beat Nigel Benn (the “dark destroyer”) in Birmingham by 9th round stoppage.
Three years later, their re-match ended in unanimous draw. The two British blacks shared an intense dislike which has been rejuvenated by their sons: Conor Benn (28) and Chris Eubank, jnr (35).
Build up to the 26th April 2025 tournament, was intense and went on for years. Their many preparatory press conferences openly paraded a family theme. Chris Eubank junior declared: “The fact that our fathers did what they did all those years ago, brings out another soul and spirit.”
Their 12 round duel had the stinging bite of both aiming to win by knockout. Each had a different style. Connor Benn tried what he had promised (“smash your face in”) swinging and throwing non stop thunder hooks and upper cuts which sometimes landed but mostly avoided by his crafty adversary. Eubank Junior boxed more like his legendary dad—technical—leading with a jab, timing his shots.
This fight was a second attempt after the one in 2022 was aborted following Conor Benn being disqualified for failing a drug test. It is alleged that “traces of fertility drug clomifene” were found in his system. However, The World Boxing Council “cleared” the charge in 2023 – part of the explanation was “a high consumption of eggs.”
Eubank Junior did not let this slip. He kept calling his rival “a cheat” — then threw eggs at Conor in one of their numerous pre-match appearances. These incidents resembled tiny fires. And the flames erupted on Saturday 26 April.
Then there is the other shebang. Money.
It is reported they earned 15 million pounds; meaning each took ÂŁ7.5 million home. Chris Eubank Junior won.
The veteran sports reporter, Jeff Powell (whose 57 year old journalism career saw him covering many famous boxers including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson) called it “a bar room brawl.”
Speaking of Ali and Frazier, their Thriller in Manilla duel in October 1975, did have such a vibe, blood and savagery.
Their daughters, Laila Ali and Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde, would also fight on 8 June 2001. Laila Ali was victorious.
As you can see, chivalry (and rivalry) of parents can simmer right down to their children. All about reputation, legacy and of course honour. Sports gives us entertainment, but also reflects human nature and our purpose of living.
Bless your eyes.
Nahavache if you speak Kipare.
