Chris Eubank Sr. Reflects on Emotional Surprise at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Chris Eubank Sr. has called his surprise appearance before his son, Chris Eubank Jr.’s, unanimous points victory over Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a “moment of a lifetime.” The 58-year-old boxing legend, who had been estranged from his son for years and previously criticized the fight, shocked the crowd when he emerged from Chris Eubank Jr.’s car just before the match.
A Poignant Moment for Eubank Sr. and Eubank Jr.
In an emotional video posted to his YouTube channel on Wednesday, Eubank Sr. opened up about the unexpected and powerful moment that captured the attention of the media and fans worldwide. He recalled how he had put on a “disguise” to visit his son at the hotel the night before the fight and only reached out to him the evening before the bout.
“I’m welling up now,” Eubank Sr. said. “A moment of a lifetime. It looks like it has been orchestrated by a director, for the car to pull up where it did, for me to be on the left-hand side of the car. For me to push the door open and put one foot down, and there is the world’s media. I chuckled.”
Eubank Sr. attributed the powerful moment to spiritual direction, saying, “I was directed spiritually. I’m good, but I’m not that good, that’s why it moved the nation and the world.”
The Aftermath: Eubank Jr.’s Health and Father’s Concerns
After his thrilling victory, Eubank Jr. was taken to the hospital as part of standard procedure for boxers following intense bouts. Eubank Jr. had struggled with a difficult weight cut to meet the middleweight limit of 160lbs for the fight, and though he missed the target by just 0.05lbs, he was fined £375,000.
Additionally, a rehydration clause limited the 35-year-old to gaining no more than 10lbs the morning of the fight. Eubank Sr. shared that accompanying his son in the ambulance was a deeply emotional experience, bringing back painful memories of his own career, particularly his fight with Michael Watson in 1991, when Watson suffered brain damage.
Eubank Sr. Recalls Emotional Experience in the Hospital
“My son junior is very proud, and his face looked like a blown-up football, almost twice the size,” Eubank Sr. explained. “He will never let you see that, but it brought me back all of those years to think about what Michael went through. I was feeling all of that.”
The former world champion shared the distress he felt when he saw his son’s condition, saying, “My son was touch-and-go, and the only way we are going to know if he is going to be OK is with the CT scan. He suffered mostly in the hospital because of dehydration, even though the beating was severe.”
Eubank Sr. spoke about the emotional toll of seeing his son in pain, adding, “Do you know how many times I welled up? Do you know how many times I trembled? At 35 years old, to be coming down to 160lbs, semi-conscious and battered, just like his adversary Conor, who came into the hospital at probably two o’clock in the morning. When I looked at him, I did break down.”
Despite the intensity of the situation, Eubank Sr. expressed his pride in both his son and Conor Benn. “The fight was extraordinary. From rounds six to 12, he stayed in the pocket, standing toe-to-toe,” he said. “I’m so proud of that boy of mine, and I’m so proud of Conor Benn. It will echo into eternity.”
Eubank Sr.’s Wish for His Son’s Future
Reflecting on the physical toll of the fight, Eubank Sr. shared his concerns for his son’s future. “But I don’t want my son to go through that again,” he added. “He doesn’t know his life was in the balance, and neither does he care.”
