British boxing chief Robert Smith insists Chris Eubank Jr’s fine for slapping Conor Benn was proportionate and fair.
Eubank Jr and Benn have been embroiled in a heated rivalry for several years, which will see them settle their differences in a huge ring clash on April 26 in North London.
At a launch press conference to promote the event, Eubank Jr decided to try and steal the show by slapping an egg across Benn’s face during their face-off.
The pair were separated from a wild melee by security, but their subsequent face-off was cancelled.
As a result of his action, Eubank Jr was fined £100,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Eubank Jr showed little remorse, insisting his actions were ‘worth every penny’ despite stirring up their feud further.
And BBBofC chief Smith has since clarified the fine on the latest episode of talkBOXING, saying it was fair and accurate.
He said: “I believe the fine was about right, it’s a very serious matter.
“There’s ramifications for the whole show, not just their fight but every fight.
“If anybody else gets injured. But forget the egg bit, if that happened on the street, Eubank Jr could go in for assault.
“Ultimately it is means tested. The money goes to the board’s charity.
“It’s in the board rules, boxers and boxing license holders should know it goes to a charity.
GettyEubank Jr hasn’t shown regret for his actions[/caption]
“We look after boxers who have come over a hard time, and it goes towards medical research and seminars.”
Benn was left furious with the incident, which many in the boxing fraternity have suggested could have damaged his eye before the fight.
Luckily, no further harm was done by the slap.
And it has added another layer of needle to an already hugely bad-tempered all-British encounter.
There is real animosity between the pair, who have been thrust into a family feud after their famous fathers Nigel and Chris’ famous battles in 1990 and 1993.
Eubank Jr has also been left agitated after missing out on his chance to get his hands on Benn in 2022, when the fight was cancelled after his foe failed a drugs test.
Benn is now cleared to compete again in the UK, and is looking to step up to 160lbs and deliver a hammer blow to Next Gen’s career.
But Eubank Jr believes he will be the one to get the job done.
“The fight will be one of a kind. It has never happened in boxing,” he suggested.
“No two fighters have had fathers who were world champions and fought in massive fights 30-odd years ago with the entire country watching.
“Fighting me, a sworn enemy in a fight broadcast around the world that could be at Wembley in front of 90,000 people or in an arena in Saudi is a whole different animal.
“It will bring out a beast in him that I cannot take lightly. I think it is going to be savage, one of the best fights British boxing, world boxing has seen for quite some time because it’s real. This isn’t pretend.”
