Roy Jones Jr, Carl Frampton, Johnny Nelson and more predict Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn rematch

This week there will probably be more speculation and discussion surrounding the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Penn 2 fight than any other fight in British boxing this year.

Their first encounter in April was a battle of survival, will and ego, which saw Eubank come out on top via points decision.

The second time, nothing changed. They’re the same weight, in the same place, and the animosity and rivalry are just as intense.

Will Eubank make it 2-0, or can Ben pull it together to deliver a win for his family in a rivalry that has spanned more than 30 years? Boxing News has picked the brains of five industry experts to get their predictions for Eubank Jr–Benn 2.

Carl Frampton (former two-weight world champion)

“I say revenge. I think Ben will beat Eubank this time. The last fight was unbelievable, but fights like that take something out of you. And at Eubank’s age, it takes a little more from Eubank than it does from Ben. I think Connor Ben will do it, but that means he’ll do it.” [Eubank] “Do it again.”

Roy Jones Jr. (former four-weight world champion)

“I think it’s going to be a little harder this time because I’m sure Ben, if he’s smart, will make some adjustments. And if he makes adjustments, he’ll make it very good and fun again. I’m expecting another great fight like the first time. Maybe Eubank should win it again because of his size, but I think it’ll be a better fight than the first.”

Paul Smith Jr. (former world title challenger)

“I said repeat from the moment it was done. But I think the way he hurt Ben in that fight and could hurt him again – I think Ben might have enough to do it. I think Eubank is finished, and I’ve said that since he fought my brother Liam. Ben should have learned enough in the first fight to be able to do that.”

“I think Eubank might be a little bit better, but I still think that if you get caught by Benn and get hurt when you’re a top middleweight — and you’ve been with top middleweights and super middleweights like… [George] The orchards did not budge –– then there is a problem. The problem is that he might have had better days.

Johnny Nelson (former WBO cruiserweight champion)

“I expect revenge. I think both fighters gave amazing performances. I think Junior left it all in the ring. The contractual terms are exactly the same. I don’t see anything else different physically.

“I thought Conor had a little bit more in the tank to offer something else. I don’t want Conor to overthink it because I know he said he’s emotionally invested. He needs the eye of the tiger, he needs that bite, he needs the ‘I want to smash your face in’ line. But he has to do it in a measured way – not be too smart and overcook.”

Michael Conlan (former world title challenger)

“I don’t like the fact that the rehydration clause is still there. I think that’s completely wrong. If Ben really wanted revenge, the rehydration clause should have been scrapped. The first fight was a great watch, a great spectacle — it wasn’t great in terms of the actual boxing.”

“People forget the doping scandal a bit, so I’m not a fan of it. I hope it’s the same fight, just cleaner from Chris.”

Another man who shared his opinion on the upcoming rematch was Eubank Jr.’s father, Chris Sr., who had a defiant message before the bout.