Conor Benn: ‘I understand Dad and I don’t blame him for his mistakes’
Conor Benn: ‘I understand Dad and I don’t blame him for his mistakes’. Conor Benn’s tears emanate from within. His eyes swell with pain as he attempts to stop crying. I comfort the 26-year-old boxer while his wife, Victoria, consoles him.
Conor Benn fights Chris Eubank Jr. on Saturday night at the O2, but this is different. Benn’s childhood memories flood him with genuine emotion.
Conor Benn says, “I battle every day.” He blinks and smiles crookedly. “Like everyone else.”
Conor Benn’s tears emanate from within. His eyes swell with pain as he attempts to stop crying. I comfort the 26-year-old boxer while his wife, Victoria, consoles him.
Benn fights Chris Eubank Jr. on Saturday night at the O2, but this is different. Benn’s childhood memories flood him with genuine emotion.
Statements
Benn says, “I battle every day.” He blinks and smiles crookedly. “Like everyone else.”
His voice hurts. “I remember how I felt. Therefore, it upsets me. I was afraid of the devil and whether I’d go to paradise or hell as a child.
I recall watching Tom & Jerry when he died and the escalators went to heaven or hell. Weeklong nightmares. I’d wake up screaming, fearing hell.
Benn is unbeaten after 21 fights and faces Eubank Jr. in a lucrative bout that will reintroduce boxing to the mainstream. Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought at Old Trafford 29 years ago. After Eubank Sr. won their first fight in 1990, they drew.
Eubank Sr. and Benn Srdifferent .’s personalities fueled their kids’ rivalry.
Some have called Eubank Jr. vs. Benn a novelty bout made out of nostalgia for a brilliant era in British boxing and a desire to see two families go to battle again.
Facts
Eubank Jr. has fought at middleweight and super-middleweight, four classes heavier than Benn’s 2016 debut. Benn is a rising welterweight, but he’ll battle Eubank Jr. at 157 pounds, 10 pounds heavier than any of his prior fights.
Eubank Jr. is in jeopardy because he struggles to make 160 pounds. His father is concerned enough to try to stop the fight after losing his younger son Sebastian to a heart attack in July 2021. Eubank Jr. insists the bout will go on that he and Benn are dangerous.
Ambulances, paramedics, and physicians will be ready to rescue both boxers from life-threatening injuries.
Benn calls the battle “50-50,” and marketing a DAZN pay-per-view has heightened his emotions.
Declarations
Benn describes a private, affluent school that called him a devil’s child. “It was so hard and crazy that it bothered me for years. My dad had so many difficulties that he needed toughness. I was young. It shaped me into who I am now, with flaws I loathe.
Benn’s voice dwindles. What hates about himself? “My changing thoughts. My mind wanders sometimes. I’m sorry, parents. I lived in luxury and privilege. Mentally, it was tough.
His mother admits that forcing him into fundamentalist Christianity was a mistake. “Every time it’s mentioned, she sobs, doesn’t she?” he asks Victoria. “She had a hard time with your dad.”
He was exposed to a cult, right? Benn agrees. “Why does your son need devil-casting? Traumatic. I heard the world will end. We begged God for forgiveness on our knees.
“Jesus was offended by Santa Claus at Christmas. “I’m a kid,” I said. I fear the end of the world and the antichrist. Nightmares used to terrify me. What’s up?
“It took me years to become unstuck. I played guitar and sang in a church choir. I had no tattoos and tried to be a decent kid. I hurt terribly. My dad told my mom he had affairs after moving to Mallorca. He spent a year with preachers. I was really outraged when my mom took him back.”
“Life is about being the best man I can be,” adds Benn. Not my accomplishments. Being a good parent [to Eli, 1] matters. My family wants me to be a better man, not the world’s best warrior but corrupt and disturbed. My dad was my hero, not because of his sporting achievements but because of the man he was.
Remarks
“He’s that man again because I understand Dad’s mistakes as I’ve gotten older. I appreciate and love him because he fought his demons.
Nigel Benn, the Dark Destroyer, never bothered me. I needed a good dad, and I have one. My dad would be proud of me as a painter in retail or scaffolding. He cares about my life, not my boxing. It’ll be another fight for him and me.”
Eubank Sr. and Jr.’s connection seems problematic. “Appears thus.” They’re divided. Dysfunctional.
Eubank Jr. is a contradiction to Benn. He always says “This is the biggest fight of my career and I’ll resign if I lose” or talks about burgers and cake. It’s stupid, no? Inept. “Perhaps he’s concealing his arse.”
Benn says, “His weight advantage makes it 50-50.” If he was my weight, I’d be favored. We’re doing something new, so I’m unsure. I still think I can knock him out, but weight is a concern. It’s challenging.”
Benn sounds calmer, so I question if examining his past is so close to the fight is worrisome. “No, because I overcome it. I managed. My son and my family are my safety net.
Counseling help? “Definitely. Before then, I worried I’d fall. My whole life has been crazy.”
This craziness will give him an edge against Eubank Jr. in front of a fevered crowd. Benn says excellent fighters and great fighters can perform under pressure. To me, he’s another man to beat.
People keep talking about the fight’s significance, but you either fold or rise. I’ve grown. I know everyone’s watching me, but it’s always been like way.”
Benn smiles when I suggest we dodge predictable questions. “Yeah, it was good. Match of the Day now.”
When I inform him I’ll interview him for the BBC; he looks alarmed. I’m joking, so he laughs. Benn promises another interview. “Don’t make me cry.”