London’s press conference to promote Chris Eubank Jr’s rematch with Conor Benn was supposed to focus on boxing, but the shadow of Ricky Hatton’s sudden passing lingered in the air. The legendary Manchester fighter, gone at just 46, had left the sport grieving.
Then, just as promoter Eddie Hearn began to pay tribute to Hatton, the event erupted. Eubank Jr cut him off mid-sentence, setting the stage for a tense and uncomfortable exchange. The tribute quickly turned into an argument, with emotions boiling over in front of cameras and reporters. So, what happened?
Hearn opened by saying, “Just firstly, 30 seconds on Ricky Hatton…” But before he could continue, Eubank Jr snapped back with, “Come on Eddie, there’s no 30 seconds. You know the drill.” The promoter’s anger was instant as he fired back with, “‘All I was going to do was say a few words about Ricky Hatton. You’re an as—-, you talk sh– you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Later, Eubank Jr explained his side on X, accusing Hearn of crossing a line as he wrote, “Imagine using Ricky Hatton’s passing as a way to try & get to talk at a press conference. New low from Hearn here. I apologise on Eddie’s behalf. Awesome tribute to Ricky at the start of the presser though… he really was a legend. Thoughts & prayers are with his family.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Eddie Hearn, for his part, stood firm. He later described Hatton as “the last of a rare breed of boxers,” stressing that it was vital to say something on such a big stage. He argued that people needed to understand how much Hatton meant to British boxing, both in and out of the ring, as he shared, “As you saw up there, it’s quite a toxic business and in a toxic business for no one to have ever said a bad word about Ricky Hatton just shows you what kind of individual he was.”
It’s hard to argue with that sentiment. For many fans, he was the people’s champion. The fact that his passing sparked such a public clash only underlines how raw emotions remain. Now, all eyes turn to November 15, when Eubank Jr and Benn collide again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Their first bout ended with Eubank’s hand raised by unanimous decision, but the bitterness clearly hasn’t cooled. In fact, Chris Eubank Jr also laid out some heavy accusations against Hearn about the aftermath of his last fight with Benn!
Chris Eubank Jr fires off at Eddie Hearn for allegedly blocking his ambulance after fight with Conor Benn
Chris Eubank Jr wasn’t finished with his attacks on Hearn. At the same fiery press conference, he turned the spotlight to what happened after his first clash with Conor Benn in April and his story was nothing short of explosive.
He described being so dehydrated after the fight that “one of the toenails on my big toe fell off.” According to Eubank, he was rushed into an ambulance with an oxygen mask on, only to have his exit delayed. “These sc****s blocked that ambulance from leaving the stadium for 20 minutes,” he alleged, claiming the stall could have been life-threatening if his condition had been more serious.
Eddie Hearn instantly pushed back, shouting “That is absolute waffle. Waffle!” as Eubank laid out his version of events. The two sparred verbally, with Hearn demanding specifics. “Sorry, who won’t open the gates? I want to know who wouldn’t open the gates,” he pressed.
Chris Eubank Jr, refusing to back down, argued that the delay was deliberate and pointed the finger at Matchroom without saying the name outright. “Why else was I in an ambulance for 20 minutes?” he snapped. The back-and-forth only escalated. Hearn accused Eubank of “talking sh—” and sarcastically dismissed the toenail detail. “We stopped you from going because your toenail was falling off. I’ve heard it all now,” he quipped.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As such, the press conference was meant to honor Ricky Hatton and promote a blockbuster rematch, but instead it exposed just how deep the animosity between Chris Eubank Jr and Eddie Hearn runs. From accusations of exploiting a legend’s death to claims of ambulance blockades, the narrative now feels bigger than boxing.
But where does the truth lie? Was Eubank defending Hatton’s memory and exposing foul play, or was this another chapter in his psychological warfare with Hearn and Benn? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!