Because the build-up intensifies for the upcoming boxing match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, the disagreement took a stunning flip at Tuesday’s press convention. Benn made explosive claims about Eubank Jr., alleging that the British boxer owes Brazilian soccer star Neymar £4 million in poker money owed.
Benn did not maintain again, questioning Eubank Jr.’s monetary motivations for agreeing to the struggle. “Have you learnt why you want the cash? Since you’re shit at poker,” Benn mentioned, implying that Eubank Jr.’s struggles on the poker desk have been the actual cause behind the upcoming bout. “He owes Neymar 4 million quid. That is why he is taken this struggle,” Benn added.
The rivalry between Eubank Jr. and Benn is famous, with each males carrying the load of their fathers’ notorious bouts within the Nineteen Nineties. The primary assembly between Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn ended with Eubank Sr. victorious, whereas the rematch led to a draw. Now, their sons are set to settle the rating within the ring, with the struggle going down at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025.
The struggle, billed as “Born Rivals,” was initially scheduled for October 2022 however was postponed after Benn examined optimistic for a banned substance. Regardless of the controversy, the bout is again on.
Poker Connections: Eubank Jr. and Neymar
Eubank Jr.’s ties to poker are well-known, with the boxer frequently collaborating in high-stakes money video games in addition to being a former ambassador for 888poker.
One in all his most outstanding poker acquaintances is Neymar, the Brazilian soccer star, with whom Eubank Jr. has performed in a number of televised high-stakes video games. The 2 have confronted off in non-public video games through the 2024 World Sequence of Poker and have additionally appeared collectively on Hustler On line casino Dwell and the Brazilian Sequence of Poker (BSOP).
Whereas there are not any confirmed stories of Eubank Jr. owing Neymar £4 million, the declare made by Benn just isn’t completely out of the realm of risk. Each Eubank Jr. and Neymar have participated in high-stakes video games, and money owed can shortly accumulate in such an setting, particularly when cameras are turned off.
In line with HighRoll Poker’s database, Eubank Jr. has earned $102,930 in internet poker winnings, a fraction of Neymar’s reported $306,000. Whereas each males have been a part of high-profile poker video games, there’s no direct proof to assist Benn’s declare that Eubank Jr. owes Neymar a big sum of cash.
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Hellmuth Introduces Eubank Jr. to Excessive Stakes Poker
In an interview with PokerNews in 2022, Eubank Jr. revealed that he made his first Royal Flush taking part in with Phil Hellmuth in Ivey’s Room at ARIA.
“I used to be taking part in $1/$2 No-Restrict Maintain’em,” Eubank mentioned on the time. “I might by no means considered sitting down with some huge cash, I used to be simply taking part in for enjoyable! So I performed there for a couple of hours and I left and was on my technique to the membership.
“However as I used to be strolling out, I noticed Phil Hellmuth strolling again in direction of the poker site. I’d simply began studying his guide, however I am not the kind of man to only stroll as much as them and ask for an image, so it was simply one thing I believed was cool.”
“I simply mentioned hi there, and advised him to maintain doing his factor. He requested me who I used to be, and I advised him, and he mentioned he appreciated boxing. We took an image, and he requested me what I used to be doing. I advised him I used to be going to go to the membership, however he invited me to a personal recreation in Ivey’s Room.
“I performed the sport and really did rather well. I made my first Royal Flush, and that was my introduction to excessive stakes poker.”
Eubank Jr. Deflects Allegations
Eubank Jr. did not immediately reply to the accusations however as a substitute deflected, mentioning Benn’s personal monetary state of affairs. “How a lot do you owe Eddie [Hearn], then?” Eubank Jr. requested, referencing rumors about Benn’s monetary ties to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Benn and Hearn each denied these accusations.
Eubank Jr. didn’t maintain again, later including, “One factor I do know is you are a drug cheat,” a reference to Benn’s failed drug take a look at that led to the cancellation of their first struggle. Benn, shot again, “One factor I do know is you are an fool who has taken this struggle as a result of he owes somebody some cash.”
After the press convention ended, each boxers took half in a face-off, with Eubank Jr hitting Benn within the face with an egg. The fighters have been pulled aside, leaving Benn livid on the orchestrated antics of Eubank Jr.
Calum Grant
Senior Editor & Dwell Occasions Government
