With the recent Josh Taylor-Ekow Essuman and Leigh Wood–Anthony Cacace bouts, British boxing has been delivering a string of crowd-pleasing thrillers. But perhaps the tone was set weeks earlier, on April 26, when Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn reignited a rivalry rooted in family legacy and delivered a brutal 12-round war at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While whether it qualifies as a modern classic may be debated, the sheer intensity and back-and-forth action made it one of the most gripping fights in recent memory. Originally expected to take place three years ago, the long-awaited showdown finally happened. And didn’t disappoint. To remind fans of what he endured to secure what could be his toughest win, Eubank Jr. shared an image on his Instagram story, along with a cryptic message that explained his ordeal quite well.

Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn: Delivering more than a fight, a message to remember

It was hard to miss the blood droplets splattered on Eubank’s off-white Nike Machomai 3 Boxing Shoes. It appears the IBO middleweight champion wore the sneakers on the night when he squared up against Conor Benn. So after the fight, Chris Eubank’s son seemingly kept them away.

But he came across the pair as he packed his bags for the travel back to the United Kingdom. So Chris Eubank Jr. wrote, “Packing to fly back to UK today & found these. Walked through the fire that night.” Set at a 160-pound catchweight, the fight began with some controversy as Eubank Jr. came in slightly over the limit at 160.05 lbs., earning a financial penalty.

Still, he entered the ring composed. Conor Benn, who moved up two weight classes, started aggressively and landed a sharp left hook in the third round that momentarily rocked Eubank Jr. For a moment, it seemed Benn’s pressure might overwhelm him.

But Eubank rallied. As the fight progressed, both fighters traded heavy shots in a relentless battle.

A storm between two legacies

A clash of heads opened a deep cut above Eubank Jr.’s eye, but he pressed on. In the later rounds, Benn pushed hard, but Eubank responded with rapid combinations, including a series of punishing hooks. The final round saw both men give everything they had. Eubank landed a clean uppercut, and they continued to exchange blows in close quarters. Referee Victor Loughlin had to separate them multiple times as the action spilled into every corner of the ring.

When the final bell rang, the crowd rose to its feet, applauding the two warriors. With all the three judges scoring 116-112 in his favor, Chris Eubank Jr. won the fight by a unanimous decision. The fight even drew praise from Jake Paul, who ranked it among his favorites of the year.

As both men move on to their next challenges, they do so with heads held high. Regardless of who came out on top, both Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn etched their names into British boxing history with a performance full of grit, pride, and heart.

Where does Eubank Jr. vs. Benn rank on your list of unforgettable fights?