Deep down, Chris Eubank Jr. would be thrilled if his legendary father made it ringside to watch over him as he takes on Conor Benn. But sadly, as he’s made clear before, Eubank Sr. appears to have chosen to stay away from the ‘circus’ that’s set to unfold at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in just two days. Still, Eubank Jr. is holding out hope that his father might have a change of heart.

In the lead-up to this highly anticipated showdown, which, ironically, continues the fierce legacy their fathers began in the 1990s, Eubank Jr. sat down with Mail Sport’s Charlotte Daly for a candid interview. The rift between Eubank Jr. and his father, the former super middleweight world champion, is now well-known. Eubank Jr. stands on the brink of what could be the most significant fight of his career. So many fans had hoped his father would set aside their differences and be there in his corner. Even a gesture of moral support would mean the world to him. But at the recent Michael Watson Charity Walk, Eubank Sr. reaffirmed his decision to stay away. A decision Eubank Jr. fears might one day leave his father feeling guilty.

Chris Eubank Jr.: Don’t let absence turn into a lifelong what-if

Chris Eubank Jr. said, “We are soldiers, we are warriors; we sign up for going through hell.” He was referring to the grueling process of cutting weight. That sparked Charlotte Daly to probe the very issue that had upset his father. The weight difference in the catchweight fight against Conor Benn. That disappointment may stem from a deeper pain. The tragic loss of Eubank Sr.’s other son, Sebastian Eubank.

Eubank Jr. acknowledged that grief affected the entire family. It may have led his father to become overly protective, especially with this high-risk bout on the horizon. Still, Eubank Jr. remained resolute. It’s his life. “I’ve still got to do what I got to do as a man,” he said matter-of-factly. Daly then asked him, “If he does come to your fight and he looks you in the eyes before you walk out for the ring for Connor Benn, what do you want him to say to you?” What would you want to hear from him?”

So Eubank Jr. paused. He admitted he hadn’t really thought about it. “There’s nothing in particular that I want or need him to say,” he said before adding, “He just has to be there, really. That’s what would make me happy, you know. It’s not the advice, it’s not the support, it’s not the um, there’s not, it’s not words, it’s presence, that’s all.”

But what if his father holds firm and doesn’t attend? The pressure of legacy is immense, and the emotional weight even heavier. How would Eubank Jr. handle that? The former British middleweight titleholder replied, “It’s not about me, you know. I’m going to go out there and do what I have to do regardless. Um, I think it’ll be a huge shame, and I think it’s something that he will regret in the years to come.”

The unspoken grief of a disheartened dad

Fans will be hoping that Chris Eubank Sr. is present at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the day after tomorrow, as his son steps into the ring for what could be the defining fight of his professional career.

At the recent Michael Watson Charity Walk, speaking to Kugan Cassius, Eubank Sr. didn’t mince words. He called the fight between his son and Conor Benn a ‘disgrace,’ a ‘circus’ that, in his view, dishonored the legacy of Michael Watson. “It’s a slap in Michael’s face,” he said.

He accused his son of chasing money and ignoring the inherent dangers of such a mismatched (weight-wise) bout. Visibly saddened, Eubank Sr. said, “He won’t listen to me.” Ironically, one of the things that disappointed him most was not the fight itself but a publicity stunt. Eubank Jr. cracked an egg on Conor Benn’s face. The gesture, meant as bravado, seemed to cut deep.

Do you agree with Chris Eubank Jr. that his father may one day regret staying away from the biggest night of his son’s career?