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| Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “This is the biggest fight in British boxing outside of the Heavyweight division since Froch and Groves. But this has something very different. This has an appeal to all kinds of demographics, all kinds of age groups. Everyone knew their fathers and everyone knows who they are. “This is the greatest rivalry in the history of British boxing. Eubank-Benn 3 really if you want to call it. Just a massive event sold-out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a real important moment for British boxing and these two fighters. “The narrative was there originally. Now you’ve got two years of bad blood. The controversy, the build-up, this week as well. But it’s a great fight. I said before, people talking about their fathers of course, they’re two of the biggest legends of British boxing. But these are two world class fighters in their respected divisions. Our boy is just looking sensational and ready to do the business.” DAZN stream; “Massive. I can’t believe we’re four days away. is it actually going to happen? I don’t want to jinx it. In a minute those two are going to be walking down there. Camp couldn’t have gone any better for Conor Benn. I’m sure Chris Eubank Jr has worked hard. “They’ve all got it all to do on Saturday night. I think there’s going to be a huge amount of pressure. Both guys have been involved in big fights before, but nothing like this. Probably the experience side will benefit Chris Eubank, I think he’s been around a long time. I think he’s been part of a lot of big fights. “For Conor, it’s probably about keeping a lid on emotions this week. They’ve done such great work in training camp. The last thing you want to do is just come here and ruin it all by getting your nervous energy up and getting pumped up. We’ll see a fairly lowkey Wednesday, Thursday – I think the weigh-in will erupt on Friday. If I’m in Conor Benn’s training team right now I’m just saying, “nice and calm, you’ve done the hard work – let’s wait until Saturday. “Conor Benn is the one jumping up fighting the much bigger man. I expect Conor Benn to come in around 157/158lbs. I think he’ll come into the ring around 165lbs and I think Chris Eubank Jr will come into the ring around 175lbs. I think he’ll be giving away around 10lbs in the ring. “I don’t think it will matter – the way that he has been performing in training camp, the way that he has been sparring, the size of the opposition he’s been sparring against – he’s ready for those guys. Let’s not forget – his last two fights have been at 154lbs, when he’s had those interim fights. There’s no doubt he’s at a disadvantage in terms on the size. I honestly don’t think it’s going to matter.” Chris Eubank Jr: “I keep hearing this two weight classes thing. He’s not coming up two weight classes. His last fight was at 156lbs. He’s putting four pounds on, he hasn’t been a Welterweight for three years. This fight isn’t about size or weight. It’s about skill, it’s about dedication, it’s about expertise, and all those areas I excel in and have got many many more years of experience over Conor Benn – and that will be the deciding factor on the night. “Again, this isn’t any one attribute. I’m a complete fighter. I’ve been doing this for so long now I’ve forgotten more things than he knows. That will show on the night – the experience, the dedication and the will. These will all be the deciding factors. “Shenanigans. I don’t do shenanigans. I do what I believe is right and I do what I want to do. If you guys think they’re shenanigans then fair enough. I’m just being me. “The procedure will be parliamentary. That’s the only thing I can say about the outcome of this fight. Everything will go the way I want it to go. I will be like a matador in that ring and Conor Benn will be the bull.” Conor Benn: “Yeah listen, I mean it don’t concern me in the slightest. I’ve prepared hard. I’ve done everything I possibly can in the gym. I’ve left no stone unturned. So for me, I look at him and I ain’t really too concerned. I’ll beat him at any weight. “Yeah it’s always personal. Every opponent I fight it’s personal. People want to say it’s strictly business – it ain’t business. It’s never business. If you’re trying to put your hands on me and render me unconscious it’s never business. It’s always personal, every single one of my opponents – but this one has a little bit more history to it shall we say. “I wish I was fighting tonight. Unfortunately we’ve got to wait a few more days but ultimately all of the hard work is done and I’m excited to go in there and do a number on him. As soon as I get my hands on him he’ll know what’s up.” Liam Smith: “I’ve had experiences on all of the big stages. It’s all irrelevant come Saturday night. Aaron McKenna is coming to try and finish my career – it’s not that time just yet. Obviously sparring, I’m a little bit more experienced than that. I don’t think that will be a big part of this fight – I’ve done enough rounds in the gym. I’ve had enough fights over the years. I can’t really blame ring rust. I’m looking forward to Saturday and I’m looking forward to being back. It’s been a long time out and I’ll be back with a bang.” DAZN stream; “Massive, I’m privileged to be back on a stage like this. I thought I might have missed that opportunity with Riyadh Season. Unfortunately, I wasn’t injured last time, I fell ill – which is even more frustrating for me coming off the back of a horrendous injury that was so evident to see when I thought Chris (Eubank Jr) in the rematch. “I feel I’m in a good place now. I’m privileged to be on a card this big and this spoke about. Selfishly, I don’t give a shit about the main event. I need to just win and announce that I’m back, and then I’ll speak to you about the main event and call the winner out or whatever it may be. “This time around it was anyone with a name I would have got my teeth into. I’ve got a point to prove. I was horrendous last time out in the ring. You can’t announce you’re back until you perform under the lights. That’s all this Saturday is about for me. “I need to win by any means necessary, but I need to put on a performance too for the people who have written me off after Eubank 2. I want to beat Aaron and beat Aaron well. And then I’ll call whoever I need to call out.” Aaron McKenna: “I’ve been waiting for a moment like this for a good while now. I’ve been calling for big fights these past two or three years. It’s a fight I’m really excited for. I’m looking forward to it. It’s just incredible to be part of the first ever Ring Magazine card – a big thanks to His Excellency for giving me this opportunity. I know there’s going to be a lot of eyes on me. This card is getting a lot of attention, so I plan to make the most of it and make a statement win come Saturday night.” Cheavon Clarke: “It’s going to feel amazing. It’s great to be on this stage. I’m going to bring my title home.” Viddal Riley: “I feel good man; it’s destiny. That’s how I feel. I’ve been saying it, I mean it, I deeply mean it. It’s destiny man, I just need to deliver.” Eubank Jr vs. Benn tops a huge night of boxing in London, Ilford’s former World Title challenger Anthony Yarde (26-3, 24 KOs) fights Manchester’s Lyndon Arthur (24-2, 16 KOs) for the third time – with the WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title on the line, Liverpool’s former WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith (33-4-1, 20 KOs) takes on Ireland’s Aaron McKenna (19-0, 10 KO) for the WBA International Middleweight Title, Gravesend’s Cheavon Clarke defends his British Cruiserweight Title against Tottenham’s Viddal Riley and Bournemouth’s former WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 KOs)meets the USA’s Brandon Glanton (20-2, 17 KOs)over 12 rounds. |
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