Chris Eubank vs Nigel Benn 2

A contractual omission by Don King proved almost as important as anything that happened in the ring. King had arranged for both the winner and loser of the long-awaited rematch to join his promotional organisation, but no provision had been made for a draw. When the judges could not separate Britain’s two leading super-middleweights after 12 rounds, neither man was bound to him.

More than 42,000 spectators filled Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground on October 9, 1993, while an estimated 16.5 million watched on ITV. Billed as “Judgement Day,” the contest brought together Nigel Benn’s WBC championship and Chris Eubank’s WBO title. Benn weighed 167 pounds and entered with 37 victories and two defeats. Eubank, one pound heavier, was unbeaten in 36 contests, with one draw. Three years earlier he had stopped Benn in the ninth round at Birmingham to take the WBO middleweight championship, leaving the defeated man demanding another opportunity almost from the moment the contest ended.

Both had since moved to super-middleweight. Benn had won the WBC title from Mauro Galvano in Italy and defended it against Nicky Piper and Lou Gent, while Eubank had claimed the vacant WBO championship in his grave second contest with Michael Watson and made six defences. By the time referee Mills Lane brought them together, they were more experienced and more guarded than they had been in their first meeting. The hatred remained, but neither was prepared to take the same early risks.

Eubank made the better beginning. He boxed upright, used his jab and looked for Benn’s rushes, meeting them with counters and short punches from either hand. Benn advanced more patiently than in 1990, keeping his guard higher and resisting the temptation to throw every blow with knockout force. The three judges agreed that Eubank won the opening round, but many of the subsequent sessions were close and difficult to score. His cleaner single punches were set against Benn’s greater pressure and heavier work to the body.

Benn began to make progress in the fourth. He closed the distance more effectively, struck downstairs and forced Eubank to work while retreating. All three judges awarded the round to Benn. Eubank continued to catch him coming forward, but the WBC champion was no longer attacking recklessly in straight lines. He moved his head, shortened his punches and attempted to keep Eubank occupied against the ropes. The exchanges frequently came in the closing moments of rounds, each man conscious that a strong finish might influence the officials.

The sixth produced the incident that ultimately determined the result. Benn had already been warned for punching low when Lane stopped the action and deducted a point for persistent infringements. Later in an untidy exchange near the ropes, Benn was sent partly through them, although the fall resulted as much from Eubank’s forward momentum and use of his body as from a clean punch. Benn was not seriously hurt and returned immediately. The contest remained rough at close quarters, with holding, leaning and blows around the belt line as each tried to impose himself physically.

Benn increased his pace through much of the second half. He drove forward behind hooks to the body and overhand rights, while Eubank sought room for the jab and counter right. Neither man was able to establish command for long. Eubank would interrupt Benn’s advance with a sharp combination, only to spend the next passage backed towards the ropes. Benn’s attacks were not always accurate, but his work-rate and persistence kept him in the fight. Eubank retained his composure and landed the neater punches at intervals, though he could not discourage the champion from coming after him.

The tenth was one of Benn’s clearest rounds and was awarded to him by all three judges. Eubank answered in the eleventh, using his jab and catching Benn as he approached, but there was still no secure lead entering the last. Both corners told their men that the twelfth was required. The final three minutes produced the most urgent exchanges of the contest. Fatigue had reduced the precision of both, yet neither was willing to concede ground. Benn attacked with hooks and rights, Eubank countered in bursts, and they continued punching until the bell. Although some ringside observers favoured Eubank in the round, all three judges gave it to Benn.

The decision was a split draw. British judge Harry Gibbs scored 115–113 for Eubank, Carol Castellano had Benn ahead 114–113, and Chuck Hassett returned a 114–114 card. Before Lane’s deduction, the round totals would have given Benn a split decision: Gibbs had Eubank ahead 115–114, while Castellano favoured Benn 115–113 and Hassett had Benn winning 115–114. The penalty reduced Benn’s score on every card and turned Hassett’s verdict level.

Benn retained the WBC championship, and Eubank kept the WBO title. There had been no knockdowns, and neither man suffered the punishment seen in their first contest, but the rematch was fought at a demanding pace and remained undecided until the scores were announced. Benn believed he had done enough to avenge his earlier defeat, and the released cards showed that the low-blow deduction had denied him victory. Eubank remained unbeaten, though he had escaped with the narrowest possible result. Despite continued discussion of a third meeting, the two men never fought again.

I have always thought Eubank won the first fight big, but I had Benn winning the rematch. Across both contests, Eubank appeared better able to remain composed when Benn landed heavily. Benn’s punches could move him, but rarely disturbed his thinking. When Eubank landed cleanly, Benn’s reactions were more obvious. With two men so evenly matched, that difference in temperament and punch resistance mattered.

But Benn made the better adjustments at Old Trafford. He was no longer the reckless middleweight charging forward and loading up on everything. At super-middleweight he paced himself, shortened his punches and worked Eubank’s body before coming upstairs. Eubank produced the cleaner individual shots and boxed well early, but Benn forced more of the second half, made him retreat and finished rounds strongly.

The point deducted for repeated low blows was Benn’s own fault, and without it he would have won a split decision. Even allowing for the deduction, I still had him narrowly ahead. The official draw was not outrageous because several rounds were desperately close, but I thought Benn deserved the verdict. Eubank showed the calmer head and the better chin, yet Benn did more sustained work over 12 rounds. For me, their rivalry should read one victory apiece, which makes it a greater pity that the deciding third fight never happened.