The long-simmering rivalry between British boxing stars Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn erupted into chaos on February 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM PDT during a fiery face-off in Manchester, just as the two were set to promote their highly anticipated April 26 showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. What began as a tense exchange of words quickly escalated when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn across the face with an egg, sparking a melee that required security to intervene. The incident, which has since gone viral, has added fuel to an already volatile feud, raising questions about the fighters’ conduct and the future of their grudge match. Here’s the full story of the chaotic face-off and its fallout.

The Incident: An Egg Sparks Mayhem

The drama unfolded at the Manchester Central Auditorium during a press conference to launch the Eubank Jr. vs. Benn fight, a generational clash that revives the bitter rivalry between their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, who fought iconic battles in the 1990s. The event was already charged with tension as the two fighters traded insults throughout a 40-minute press conference. Benn, 28, called Eubank Jr., 35, an “idiot” and taunted him about his career, saying, “Every time he’s stepped up, he’s failed. I’m going to render him unconscious.” Eubank Jr. fired back, mocking Benn’s past failed drug tests by asking, “How many eggs did you have to eat to fail those two drug tests, you dirty little omelette?”—a reference to the WBC’s 2023 report that cited egg contamination as a possible cause for Benn’s positive tests in 2022.

The tension reached a boiling point during the obligatory face-off. As the two stood nose-to-nose, exchanging heated words, Eubank Jr. pulled an egg from his pocket and slapped it across Benn’s cheek, shattering it on impact. The unexpected act sent the auditorium into chaos. Benn, visibly enraged, lunged at Eubank Jr., while his father, Nigel Benn, rushed the stage and grabbed Eubank Jr. by the throat. Security guards swarmed the stage, pulling the fighters and their teams apart as promoters Eddie Hearn (Benn’s) and Ben Shalom (Eubank Jr.’s) got caught in the fray—Hearn was even seen shoving Shalom in the scuffle. The incident, captured on video, has since amassed millions of views online, with fans and media alike stunned by the unprecedented drama.

The Backstory: A Rivalry Steeped in History and Controversy

The Eubank Jr. vs. Benn fight has been years in the making, carrying the weight of a family rivalry that dates back over three decades. Their fathers’ bouts in 1990 and 1993 were defining moments in British boxing, marked by fierce competition and mutual respect. However, the sons’ rivalry has taken a darker turn, fueled by personal animosity and a controversial history. The two were originally scheduled to fight in October 2022, but the bout was canceled after Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene, a fertility drug with performance-enhancing effects. Benn’s suspension was lifted in November 2024 after a two-year battle with anti-doping authorities, with the WBC suggesting that “elevated consumption of eggs” might have caused the failed tests—a claim Eubank Jr. has relentlessly mocked.

Since then, the bad blood has only intensified. Eubank Jr., with a record of 34-3 (25 KOs), has positioned himself as the more experienced fighter, having faced world champions like Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves. Benn, undefeated at 23-0 (14 KOs), is stepping up from welterweight (147 lbs) to middleweight (160 lbs) for this fight, a move that has drawn criticism due to the significant weight difference. The buildup to the fight has been marked by multiple confrontations, including a heated exchange in a Riyadh hotel in October 2024, where Benn shoved Eubank Jr. and the two had to be separated by security. The egg incident in Manchester, however, has taken their feud to a new level of hostility.

Reactions: Outrage, Amusement, and Disciplinary Concerns

The face-off gone wrong has elicited a wide range of reactions. Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, condemned Eubank Jr.’s actions, calling it a “b**** move” and noting the premeditated nature of the stunt. “He sat there the whole time with an egg in his pocket, waiting to slap Conor in the eye with it,” Hearn said at 8:00 PM PDT on February 25. “I thought it was glass from the noise it made. In the fight game, everything changes now—this isn’t a game anymore.” Hearn warned that the two fighters needed to be kept apart, expressing concerns about further clashes at a scheduled press conference on February 27 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A planned face-off on February 26 was canceled due to security concerns.

Benn, still fuming days later, told BBC Sport on February 27 at 8:00 PM PDT, “He’s poked the bear. I’ll have the last laugh—I’ll knock him out in front of everyone.” On social media, Benn posted at 7:13 PM PDT on February 25, “That’s the only shot you’ll land on me… Two rounds, you are finished.” Meanwhile, Eubank Jr. remained unapologetic. On February 27, he stated, “I’m sitting up here with two of the scummiest characters in boxing: a drug cheat and a man who did everything to help him get away with it. He deserved the embarrassment. If I had the chance, I’d do it again.” Posts on X reflect a divided public sentiment—some fans found the egg slap amusing, with one user joking, “Come on lads, now’s not the time for yokes,” while others called it “embarrassing” and “staged,” criticizing the fighters for turning a press conference into a spectacle.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has taken notice, issuing a statement on February 26 at 9:43 AM PDT: “The BBBofC is aware of the incident at the press conference in Manchester for the Chris Eubank Jr. v Conor Benn contest on 26th April 2025 and is dealing with the matter in accordance with its regulations.” Reports indicate that Eubank Jr. faces a potential fine, with a post on X from @SecondsOutLive on April 24 at 9:04 AM PDT stating that he was appealing a £100,000 fine imposed by the BBBofC, which he has yet to pay just days before the fight.

The Stakes: A Fight That Could Define Their Legacies

The April 26 clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, expected to draw over 60,000 fans, is being billed as one of the biggest British boxing events of 2025. For Eubank Jr., a victory would solidify his status as a top-tier fighter and potentially set up a dream matchup with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, as hinted by promoters. For Benn, it’s a chance to prove himself at a higher weight class and restore his reputation after the doping scandal. However, the weight disparity has raised concerns—Eubank Jr.’s father, Chris Eubank Sr., called the fight a “disgrace” on April 16, arguing that Benn, moving up two weight classes, risks his career, while Eubank Jr.’s weight cut to 160 lbs puts his health in danger.

The egg incident has also drawn criticism for overshadowing the sport itself. Simon Jordan of Talksport labeled the buildup as “WWE-like,” questioning the fighters’ reliance on their fathers’ legacies rather than their own merits. Eddie Hearn, however, sees the drama as a boon for the fight’s visibility, noting on April 20, “Eubank will keep trying to wind Benn up—it’s all part of the mind games.” Yet, the incident has highlighted deeper issues in boxing, from the ethics of promotional stunts to the lingering questions about Benn’s doping case, which he has never fully clarified despite being cleared to fight.

What’s Next: A Fight Under Scrutiny

As the April 26 fight approaches, the focus remains on whether Eubank Jr. and Benn can channel their animosity into a memorable performance in the ring—or if the chaos will continue to overshadow the sport. The BBBofC’s potential disciplinary action against Eubank Jr. looms large, and the fighters’ teams have been warned to adhere to a strict code of conduct at future events. Security measures have been heightened, with the February 27 press conference featuring six security guards to keep the fighters apart, and Eubank Jr. even being scanned with an “egg scanner” before taking the stage.

The Manchester face-off has undoubtedly amplified interest in the fight, but it has also raised questions about the line between promotion and recklessness. Will Eubank Jr.’s mind games pay off, or has he ignited a fire in Benn that will lead to his downfall? As one user on X put it, “Conor reminds me of kids from school—too easy to wind up. Eubank’s got him rattled.” With just two days until the first bell rings, the world waits to see if this heated rivalry will deliver a classic—or descend further into chaos.

The February 25, 2025, face-off between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn in Manchester, which spiraled into chaos when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn with an egg at 7:00 PM PDT, has set the stage for a dramatic showdown on April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Security was forced to intervene as the incident escalated, involving both fighters’ teams and even their promoters in a melee that has captivated the boxing world. While the stunt has heightened anticipation for the fight, it has also drawn criticism for its lack of professionalism and prompted disciplinary action from the BBBofC. As the sons of boxing legends prepare to settle their grudge, the question remains: will their rivalry produce a fight worthy of their fathers’ legacy, or will it be remembered for all the wrong reasons? The countdown to April 26 has never felt more intense.