Lennox Lewis helped convince Chris Eubank Sr to acknowledge his son’s pleas and let him box at age 13.
Eubank Jr has had a stellar career in the sport, facing the likes of George Groves, Billy Joe Saunders and James DeGale.
He fought and beat bitter family rival, Conor Benn, in the biggest fight of his time as a professional in a huge showdown in front of 60,000 fans in London.
It was an epic moment for Eubank Jr, who was left battered and bruised, but with his profile rocketing to the stratosphere.
Incredibly the boxing fraternity then uncovered an old video from 2003, where a 13-year-old Eubank Jr sat with his father and heavyweight legend Lewis.
The footage showed the former undisputed champion discussing the possibility of the teenager taking up the sport with Eubank Sr.
‘Next Gen’ pleaded with his father to lace up the gloves, asking: “I just want to try it.
“I just want to see what it is about. If he can do it why can’t I.”
His dad, a British boxing icon, responded dismissively: “20 world championship wins son.
“So many people come to understand, you take a beating? I hope you’re not stubborn.
“It’s a tragic business to be in, what if he doesn’t make it? All of his good looking features would have gone.
“Chris, just leave it alone. Everybody gets hurt.”
Twitter – Lennox LewisEubank Sr eventually gave in and conceded Lewis was right[/caption]
Lewis then weighed in on the debate, and he said: “Am I bad looking?
“Why are you putting that into the kid’s head? What you’re saying is irrelevant at this time.
“I would never want, when I have kids, for my son or daughter to be in a car crash.
“So what do I do? I say I’m not buying you a car and you can’t drive? Is that the right thing to do?”
Eubank Sr considered his points and initially pushed back against them, before starting to come to terms with them.
He then stood up and embraced Lewis, and it was clear the advice worked, with Eubank Jr now having gone on to have 38 fights as a professional.
GettyEubank Jr beat Benn in the biggest win of his career[/caption]
His epic win over Benn was witnessed by his father, who turned up at short notice to support him in the ring.
The fight was a point of disappointment for Eubank Sr, who was concerned for his health, given difficulties he had making the 160lbs weight limit.
But his son delivered a superb points win, following on his footsteps given he beat Nigel Benn in 1990 in their first encounter.
A rematch now seems likely between the pair, with Benn holding a rematch clause.
But it will depend on Eubank Jr’s health, given he was taken to hospital after the victory.
