The boxing world has been thrown into chaos after Chris Eubank Jr. dropped a stunning bombshell just weeks before his highly anticipated grudge match against Conor Benn, scheduled for April 26, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. In a cryptic Instagram post late on April 6, 2025, Eubank Jr. shocked fans and pundits alike by declaring, “I’M RETEIRING” [sic], sparking widespread speculation about whether the 35-year-old middleweight star is calling time on his career—potentially before one of the biggest fights of his life. With the Eubank Jr. vs. Benn showdown already steeped in drama, this unexpected announcement has sent shockwaves through the sport, leaving everyone questioning: is this the end for Eubank Jr., or is it a calculated move to unsettle his rival?

A Rivalry on the Brink

The Eubank Jr. vs. Benn fight, billed as Fatal Fury, is one of the most eagerly awaited all-British clashes in recent memory, continuing a family rivalry that dates back to the 1990s when their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, fought in two iconic battles. The sons were initially set to face off in October 2022 at The O2 Arena in London, but the bout was canceled after Conor Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomifene. Benn, who has consistently denied intentional doping, spent the next two years clearing his name, with his suspension finally lifted in November 2024 by the National Anti-Doping Panel, which stated it was “not comfortably satisfied” that the 28-year-old had committed a doping offense.

Now, the rescheduled fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to take place at 160 pounds—Eubank Jr.’s natural middleweight division—with a rehydration clause limiting both fighters to 170 pounds on fight night. The buildup has been nothing short of explosive, marked by a chaotic press conference in Manchester on February 25, 2025, where Eubank Jr. slapped Benn with an egg, prompting a £100,000 fine from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which Eubank Jr. is currently appealing. The bad blood continued at a second press conference, where Eubank Jr. issued a chilling warning to Nigel Benn after a physical altercation, saying, “If your hand ever touches me again, you won’t get it back.” Against this backdrop of intense animosity, Eubank Jr.’s sudden retirement announcement has added a new layer of intrigue to an already volatile situation.

The Bombshell: “I’M RETEIRING”

Eubank Jr.’s announcement came in the form of a brief Instagram post at 11:45 PM BST on April 6, 2025, just hours after he was spotted training in Brighton. The post, which featured a black-and-white photo of Eubank Jr. in the ring, was captioned simply, “I’M RETEIRING” [sic]. The misspelling of “retiring” immediately raised eyebrows, with some fans speculating that the post might have been a typo or a publicity stunt. Within minutes, the post went viral, amassing over 500,000 likes and thousands of comments as fans and analysts scrambled to make sense of the cryptic message.

Eubank Jr., who has a professional record of 35-3 with 24 knockouts, has been a polarizing figure in boxing since turning pro in 2011. The son of a British boxing legend, he has often been criticized for failing to live up to his father’s legacy, with high-profile losses to George Groves (2018), Billy Joe Saunders (2014), and Liam Smith (2023) fueling doubts about his elite-level credentials. However, Eubank Jr. has also shown resilience, avenging his loss to Smith in a rematch later in 2023 and securing a stoppage victory over Kamil Szeremeta in October 2024. With a potential world title shot against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara on the horizon, the timing of his retirement announcement has left many baffled.

A Calculated Move or a Genuine Exit?

The boxing community has been quick to react to Eubank Jr.’s bombshell, with opinions sharply divided on whether the announcement is genuine or a psychological tactic aimed at unsettling Conor Benn. Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on April 7, 2025, expressed skepticism, saying, “I don’t buy it. Chris Eubank Jr. has been building up to this fight for years—it’s personal for him. I think he’s trying to get inside Benn’s head, make him think he’s not taking it seriously. But if he is serious, then fair play to him—he’s had a good career.”

Others, however, believe Eubank Jr. may be serious about walking away. Boxing journalist Dan Rafael, in a post on X, pointed out that Eubank Jr. has faced significant physical challenges in recent years, including the grueling weight cuts required for middleweight. “At 35, the wear and tear of the sport catches up with you,” Rafael wrote. “Maybe Eubank Jr. is looking at this fight as his last hurrah, win or lose.” The rehydration clause for the Benn fight, which limits Eubank Jr. to 170 pounds on fight night, has already drawn criticism from some quarters, with Carl Frampton previously warning that the weight restrictions could “hurt” Eubank Jr.’s performance.

Eubank Jr.’s father, Chris Eubank Sr., who has had a strained relationship with his son in recent years, also weighed in, albeit cryptically. In an interview with The Sun on April 7, 2025, Eubank Sr. said, “My son knows his own mind. If he says he’s done, then he’s done. But I’ve taught him to never walk away from a challenge.” Eubank Sr.’s comments come on the heels of his own harsh criticism of his son earlier this month, where he branded Eubank Jr. “ordinary” and predicted that the fight with Benn would “collapse” due to his lack of elite-level talent.

Conor Benn Seizes the Opportunity

Conor Benn, who is stepping up two weight classes from welterweight to middleweight for the fight, wasted no time capitalizing on Eubank Jr.’s announcement. In a fiery Instagram story posted on April 7, 2025, Benn wrote, “If you’re retiring, don’t even bother showing up on April 26. I’ll fight someone else. You’re scared, and everyone can see it.” Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, echoed the sentiment, telling Sky Sports, “If Chris Eubank Jr. is serious about retiring, then he’s just handed Conor the psychological edge. But I don’t believe it for a second—this is a mind game, and Conor won’t fall for it.”

Benn, who remains undefeated at 23-0 with 15 knockouts, has been training in Mallorca, focusing on carrying his punch power up to middleweight. Despite the weight jump, Benn has expressed confidence in his ability to compete, vowing to “render Eubank unconscious” within three rounds. The 28-year-old has also faced his own challenges, with the 2022 doping scandal continuing to cast a shadow over his career. A victory over Eubank Jr. would be a career-defining moment for Benn, potentially setting up a world title shot against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

The Bigger Picture: A Fight in Jeopardy?

Eubank Jr.’s retirement announcement has raised serious questions about the future of the April 26 fight, which has already sold out reserved seating at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is expected to draw millions of viewers on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV. The undercard features a trilogy fight between British light-heavyweights Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur, as well as a clash between Liam Smith and undefeated Aaron McKenna, adding to the event’s appeal. However, if Eubank Jr. follows through on his retirement threat, the entire card could be thrown into disarray, leaving promoters scrambling to find a replacement opponent for Benn.

The timing of the announcement also raises questions about Eubank Jr.’s mental state. Sources close to his camp, speaking to The Mirror on April 7, 2025, revealed that Eubank Jr. has been under immense pressure in the lead-up to the fight, particularly after his father’s public criticism earlier this month. “Chris is trying to stay focused, but the weight of expectation is heavy,” the source said. “His dad’s comments hurt him, and now he’s got the whole world watching to see if he can back up his talk against Benn. This retirement post might be a cry for attention—or a way to take control of the narrative.”

A Critical Look: Is This a Publicity Stunt?

While Eubank Jr.’s announcement has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, it’s worth examining whether this is a genuine retirement threat or a calculated move to generate buzz. Eubank Jr. has a history of using psychological tactics to unsettle opponents, as evidenced by the egg-slapping incident at the Manchester press conference. The misspelling of “retiring” as “reteiring” in his Instagram post has led some to speculate that the announcement may not be entirely serious, with one X user commenting, “Eubank Jr. can’t even spell ‘retiring’—this is a troll job to mess with Benn’s head.”

Moreover, the timing of the announcement—just weeks before the fight—suggests that Eubank Jr. may be attempting to shift the focus away from his own preparation and onto Benn’s reaction. Boxing history is replete with examples of fighters using retirement threats as a promotional tool, only to return to the ring shortly after. Floyd Mayweather Jr., for instance, “retired” multiple times throughout his career, only to come back for lucrative paydays. Eubank Jr., who has been vocal about his desire to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the future, may be using this announcement to drum up interest in his career, regardless of the outcome against Benn.

On the other hand, the physical and mental toll of boxing cannot be underestimated. At 35, Eubank Jr. is in the later stages of his career, and the grueling weight cuts required for middleweight—combined with the rehydration clause for this fight—could be taking a toll. If Eubank Jr. is genuinely considering retirement, it would mark a stunning end to a career that has seen him win the IBO middleweight title and establish himself as one of Britain’s most recognizable boxing stars, even if he never quite reached the heights of his father.

What Happens Next?

As the April 26 fight date looms, Chris Eubank Jr.’s bombshell retirement announcement has left the boxing world in a state of uncertainty. Will Eubank Jr. follow through on his threat and walk away from the sport, or is this a psychological ploy to gain the upper hand over Conor Benn? For Benn, the announcement presents an opportunity to seize the narrative and apply pressure, but it also risks derailing a fight that has been years in the making. One thing is certain: when these two bitter rivals step into the ring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium—if they step into the ring—the stakes will be higher than ever, and the boxing world will be watching to see if Eubank Jr.’s career ends with a bang or a whimper.