In Manchester, England, tensions soared during a promotional event as Chris Eubank Jr. made headlines by smashing an egg on Conor Benn’s face. The confrontation occurred amidst a face-off promoting their upcoming bout scheduled for April 26. Eubank Jr.’s egg assault directly referenced a previous doping controversy tied to Benn. The controversy unfolded when Benn attributed his elevated testosterone levels to an extensive egg intake, which subsequently led to issues regarding a failed doping test in 2022.
This clash mirrors a historic rivalry from over three decades ago when their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, stepped into the ring for legendary bouts in the UK. Following the press conference, the intensity between the boxers escalated as Eubank Jr. suddenly produced an egg from his pocket and struck Benn, prompting intervention by security officials to prevent a further altercation.
Set to meet for a middleweight showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, both contenders soon took to social media to taunt each other. Benn, aged 28, quipped on X about Eubank Jr.’s actions, stating with an expletive, “That’s the only shot you’ll land on me. 2 rounds you are finished.” Meanwhile, the 35-year-old Eubank Jr. jestingly commented on the egg incident, referencing Benn’s earlier doping defense by stating, “Apparently egg contamination was the reason for his two failed drugs tests. So I contaminated him with an egg,” alongside a humorous egg-covered photo captioned “Eggcellent.”
Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, condemned the egg-related antics, labeling them as “unacceptable.” He acknowledged its viral potential for amusement but highlighted its impact on the fight’s dynamics, cautioning that anyone encountering Nigel Benn should beware. Hearn further indicated that a subsequent press conference scheduled for Thursday at Tottenham might be canceled due to the incident.
Originally, Benn and Eubank Jr. were slated for a clash in October 2022 at London’s O2 Arena for a catchweight fight, which was derailed following Benn’s test revealing traces of Clomiphene, a banned substance known for boosting testosterone and aiding fat loss. Benn, with a pristine 23-0 record, fought vigorously to clear his name, and his suspension was lifted by November the same year.
In February 2023, the WBC cleared Benn of intentionally doping, acknowledging that his frequent consumption of eggs provided a plausible reason for his test results. According to the ruling, Benn’s document-backed and significantly high egg intake offered a logical explanation for the adverse findings. The WBC noted a lack of definitive evidence suggesting Benn knowingly ingested Clomiphene.
