Eubank Jr. Overcomes Weight Cut, Reconciles With Father in Benn Win

Chris Eubank Jr: I Was Paid $***** For The Fight! The Night Before, Dad Finally Opened Up! — The Diary Of A CEO

The Diary Of A CEO

Chris Eubank Jr. reveals his late-night reconciliation with his father provided the emotional lift needed to survive severe physical dehydration and defeat Conor Benn.

AI-assisted summary of Chris Eubank Jr: I Was Paid $***** For The Fight! The Night Before, Dad Finally Opened Up! — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published:

Detailed notes

## Background Published on May 8, 2025, on YouTube by The Diary Of A CEO, this episode features professional boxer Chris Eubank Jr. reflecting on his historic middleweight victory over Conor Benn. According to the show notes, Eubank Jr. shares the full story of the fight, detailing why he refused to shake Benn's hand, how the event nearly collapsed the night before, the reasons behind his public fallout and emotional reconciliation with his father, and how he coped with the death of his brother.

## TL;DR Chris Eubank Jr. breaks down the physical and emotional crucible of his 12-round war against Conor Benn, revealing how extreme dehydration, rehydration limits, and a deep eye cut forced him into survival mode. Beyond the ring, he opens up about the sudden reconciliation with his father, Chris Eubank Sr., on the eve of the bout after years of public estrangement, as well as the lasting pain of losing his brother Sebastian. He also reflects on his fatherly role in raising his nephew Raheem, his fierce stance on performance-enhancing drugs, and his future fights against Benn, Canelo Álvarez, and Billy Joe Saunders.

## Atmosphere & style The conversation carries an intimate, raw, and reflective mood, striking a balance between intense ring warfare and deep vulnerability. Host Steven Bartlett creates a calm, attentive environment that allows Eubank Jr. to shed his cold, stoic fighter persona and share private family trauma and spiritual endurance with quiet candor. Watching it feels like a powerful, emotionally charged journey that moves from the brutal realities of combat sports to a touching story of father-son reconciliation and personal healing.

## Key takeaways - [02:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=131s) Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn landed approximately 1,500 punches combined during their 12-round fight, making it an instant classic that transcended boxing. - [09:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=594s) Leading up to the fight, Eubank Jr. faced extreme pressures, including a $1,000,000 weight fine for missing weight by just 0.5 lbs and severe rehydration clauses. - [12:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=722s) After two years of public estrangement and media attacks, Eubank Jr. reconciled with his father the night before the fight when his father reached out asking for nothing except to be there for his son. - [29:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1745s) Eubank Jr. explained that the original rift with his father started when he sent a letter declaring 'I am the boss' to step out of his father's shadow and control his own boxing career. - [37:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2232s) The public disputes and harsh comments from his father took a severe toll on Eubank Jr.'s mental health, compounding the grief of losing his brother Sebastian. - [42:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2534s) Taking on a central role in raising his three-year-old nephew Raheem after Sebastian's death shifted Eubank Jr.'s priorities and unlocked his desire to start a family of his own. - [48:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2920s) To make the middleweight limit and comply with a 10 lb rehydration restriction, Eubank Jr. endured brutal weight cuts but agreed to the terms for an eight-figure payout. - [58:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3538s) After suffering a cut from a headbutt in the seventh round, Eubank Jr. abandoned technical boxing and relied on pure mental resilience to throw over 300 punches in the final rounds. - [01:02:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3728s) Following the bout, Eubank Jr. was rushed to the hospital with acute dehydration and severe facial injuries, where his father stayed by his bedside sleeping on a stretcher in the corridor. - [01:06:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3970s) Eubank Jr. refused to shake Conor Benn's hand after the fight, stating that performance-enhancing drug use in combat sports is a life-threatening issue that cannot be forgiven without accountability. - [01:22:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4970s) The iconic walkout was altered at the last minute by his father's request for a quiet song, which unexpectedly created a quiet, emotional moment for the crowd. - [01:34:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5672s) Despite growing up with privilege and alternative paths in life, Eubank Jr. chose the physical pain of professional boxing driven by a deep resolve to prove his capability.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=0s) Intro: The Near-Fatal Aftermath & The War in the Ring

Chris Eubank Jr. opens the interview by revealing a terrifying, behind-the-scenes reality following his 12-round war against Conor Benn. Lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask strapped to his face, he vividly recalls the excruciating pain and pleading for morphine while surrounded by crying family members. The mood turned grave when he overheard a doctor in the adjacent room state that they had to operate immediately or he would die. Reflecting on his performance, Chris explains that while he felt technically sound for the first seven rounds, everything shifted once he suffered a cut. Combined with the severe physiological restrictions from his pre-fight weight cut, his body began to fail him.

When his trainer urged him to rely on his jab and footwork, Chris looked at him and admitted it was too late for technical boxing. He realized he had to dig into a deep reservoir of resolve, knowing he could never live with himself if he quit or gave anything less than his all. Dismissing the tactical game plan, he chose to turn the bout into an absolute dogfight. Conor Benn turned out to be both faster and stronger than he had anticipated, turning the contest into a pure test of heart and will. Amidst the brutal exchange, Chris was acutely aware of his father’s presence, driven by a profound desire to prove his capability after years of estrangement.

[02:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=131s) Reflecting on the Historic War with Conor Benn

Having barely spoken at length since the 12th round, Chris reflects on the overwhelming scale and brutality of the fight. Going into the bout, he candidly admits that he expected to easily dominate Benn, force him to quit, and watch him crumble under the immense pressure. However, he expresses genuine gratitude for being proven wrong, noting that a quick stoppage would have deprived the sport of a fight that is now being hailed as an instant classic. He emphasizes that for a fight to achieve legendary status, both combatants must walk through fire and perform feats that seem almost superhuman.

Chris compares the sheer volume of action in his fight to other high-profile boxing events, pointing out that top-tier fighters like Devin Haney, Canelo Álvarez, and Ryan Garcia landed fewer punches combined across three separate fights (around 1,400) than he and Conor landed in their single bout (approximately 1,500). Returning to the public eye for the first time on the streets of Brixton, he was moved by fans coming up to him in tears. For Chris, the event transcended boxing because of the deeply human, relatable father-son narrative that unfolded alongside the physical battle in the ring.

- **Combined Punches Landed:** Approximately 1,500 punches landed between Eubank Jr. and Benn. - **Comparison:** Higher punch volume than three major world title fights combined (Devin Haney, Canelo Álvarez, and Ryan Garcia totaled around 1,400). - **Public Reaction:** Emotional encounters with fans crying in Brixton following the event.

[06:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=384s) The Heavy Pre-Fight Baggage and Refusal to Make Excuses

Addressing ringside observations that he looked off or lacked his usual sharpness in the opening rounds, Chris acknowledges that he was carrying unseen personal and physical burdens. He notes the intense demands of navigating extreme weight cuts and strict rehydration limits on top of outside personal turmoil. Despite the host pressing to understand whether he was hampered by injury, illness, or mental strain, Chris firmly refuses to air specific grievances or seek sympathy.

He explains that while many fighters use camp difficulties, health issues, or personal drama as built-in excuses for a performance, he refuses to adopt a victim mindset. In his view, a true warrior must fight through every demon, physical restriction, and external handicap without offering explanations to the public, regardless of whether they win or lose.

[09:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=594s) "They Threw Everything at Me": Traps, Fine, and Enemies

Chris details the barrage of obstacles and mind games thrown at him in the lead-up to the event by Conor Benn's team, Matchroom, Eddie Hearn, and Nigel Benn. He highlights the extreme pressure of the financial penalties and contractual traps laid out to derail his preparation, including a massive fine for missing weight by a fraction of a pound, dispute over illegal gloves, and opponents trying to disrupt his locker room routine right before the fight.

Despite the relentless efforts to rattle his focus, Chris remained composed by viewing the situation as a battlefield. He systematically recognized every trap set by his opponents and maneuvered around them, maintaining that mental fortitude and cunning are just as vital to a fighter as physical trade in the ring.

- **Weight Cut Penalty:** Fined **$1,000,000** for being just **0.5 lbs** over the agreed weight limit. - **Contractual & Locker Room Sabotage:** Disputes regarding uncontracted gloves and unauthorized individuals attempting to enter his dressing room to inspect his hand wraps. - **Opposition Front:** Faced coordinated hostility from Conor Benn, Nigel Benn, Matchroom Boxing, and Eddie Hearn.

[12:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=722s) Reconciliation on the Eve of Battle: Senior's Late-Night Call

The mental toll reached its peak just days before the fight when Chris had to endure public attacks from his own father, Chris Eubank Sr., who went to the media calling him a "disgrace" and condemning the event as a circus. After two solid months of hearing his father publicly disown the bout and urge him not to fight, Chris received a surprise text message from his father late the night before the fight reading, *"Call me when you see this."*

Initially hesitant to call back out of fear of absorbing more pre-fight negativity, Chris eventually placed the call around 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM before going to sleep. To his utter shock, his father answered with a warm, joyful, and affectionate tone he hadn't heard in years, saying, *"Hey, how you doing, son?... I want to be there for you."* Stunned, Chris ordered his father an Uber, booked him a room at his hotel, and welcomed him upstairs within 20 minutes. His father embraced him, revealing he had always intended to be there when it mattered most.

> "For the first time in my whole career, I'm walking through a crowd and there's no boos... I'm seeing grown men with tears in their eyes and smiles."

[18:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1080s) A Transformative Walkout and the Hotel Room Question

Reflecting on the emotional turn of events, Chris acknowledges that for two years he had mentally prepared to walk to the ring completely alone, surrounded by hostile crowds, feeding off dark energy and anger. Instead, walking out with his father by his side transformed the atmosphere entirely. For the first time in his career, he didn't hear a chorus of boos or taunts; instead, he witnessed grown men weeping with joy, cheering, and offering heartfelt blessings.

Back in the hotel room the night before, Senior had posed a piercing question to his son: *"What do you think I want from you?"* After years of complete estrangement following family tragedy—including the devastating loss of Chris's brother—and relentless media friction, Chris sat in silence, unable to answer what his father truly wanted after everything they had been through.

[21:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1282s) The Fear of Financial Demands and standard of Fatherly Love

Chris Eubank Jr. details the intense anxiety he felt when his father asked him what he wanted out of their sudden reconciliation the night before his high-profile clash with Conor Benn. Knowing his father as a man of deep faith, strict morals, and unshakeable principles who could never be bought, Eubank Jr. was terrified that his father might suddenly demand money. His inner fear was that his father might say, "Yeah, you got to give me a million." Had that happened, Eubank Jr. reveals, it would have utterly crushed him because it would mean his father was present for financial gain rather than genuine love and paternal support. He admits he was so afraid of hearing a monetary request—which would permanently ruin their relationship—that he tried to deflect the tension with humor, asking, "You want a hug? I give you a hug?"

When Chris Eubank Sr. firmly replied, "No, I want nothing. Absolutely nothing," Eubank Jr. felt an overwhelming surge of pure joy. It proved his father was there simply to be his dad—something he had craved for years. That single moment provided him with the crucial psychological lift and "extra percentages" needed to endure the grueling fight ahead.

- Chris Eubank Sr. rejected any financial compensation or conditions for being in his son's corner. - Eubank Jr. notes that hearing his father wanted nothing was "everything" and gave him the exact emotional support missing for years.

[24:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1472s) Going Outside the Physical: The Final Rounds and the Treadmill Mindset

Addressing critics who claimed he was physically finished and that his legs were gone by the eighth round, Eubank Jr. explains how he managed to unleash over 300 punches in the final two rounds of the fight. He describes reaching a state that transcended physical conditioning: "It became spiritual. It wasn't about the physical. I was dehydrated... It became about just being true." He recalled a personal mental exercise he often shares about running on a treadmill with severe foot cramps: even when no one is watching, you do not step off; you limp and push through the pain until the 10-mile target is met.

``` "No one's around. No one's watching, but you keep your ass on that treadmill and you get through the pain." ```

That exact mental resilience carried him through the final rounds against Benn. Eubank Jr. outlines the mental cross-examination a fighter undergoes on the stool in the 9th or 10th round—facing severe cuts, blurred vision, and extreme dehydration—and deciding to charge forward into war rather than retreat. He was driven by the knowledge that the audience remembers how a fighter finishes, and no amount of money or fame can buy the lifelong pride of leaving everything in the ring.

- Threw over 300 punches in the last two rounds despite severe physical exhaustion and dehydration. - Refused to take a knee or retreat, insisting that a fighter's legacy is defined by how they face extreme adversity. - Emphasized that the feeling of absolute self-actualization on one's deathbed cannot be purchased with money or fame.

[29:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1745s) The Origin of the Rift: Breaking Out of the Legend's Shadow

When host Steven Bartlett notes that Eubank Jr. has always projected a cold, emotionless exterior while viewing his father as his ultimate role model, he asks what caused their deep estrangement. Eubank Jr. attributes the rift to his father’s intensely proud and rigid personality, summarizing it as a "his way or the highway" mindset. For years, Eubank Jr. carried the heavy burden of merely being recognized as "the son of Chris Eubank." To establish his own identity as a fighter and a man, he realized he had to step out from his father's massive shadow and take full control of his own career, training, media presence, and decision-making.

Rather than confronting his father face-to-face—where his father would inevitably interrupt and debate him—Eubank Jr. chose to write him a formal letter so his father could read and absorb it uninterrupted. In the letter, he expressed that he needed to write his own history and declared, "I am the boss." This declaration deeply wounded the elder Eubank, who had managed every contract, financial decision, and opponent up to that point. Unable to accept the shift in dynamic, his father cut ties, leaving their relationship fractured.

- Chris Eubank Sr. managed every aspect of his son's early career, including contracts and opponent selection. - Eubank Jr. sent a letter declaring "I am the boss" to ensure his father absorbed his decision without interrupting. - The rift began when Eubank Jr. sought to forge an independent career outside his father's control.

[33:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2036s) Grief, Personal Struggles, and Rebuilding at the Bedside

The estrangement was compounded a year or two later by the sudden, tragic death of Eubank Jr.'s brother, Sebastian Eubank. The devastating loss shattered the family, and Eubank Jr. notes that his father struggled deeply with the grief, turning to marijuana to cope with losing a son. This shift in his father's mindset widened the gap between them even further, leaving them completely alienated for years until the week of the Conor Benn fight.

The reconciliation culminated during the fight and its immediate aftermath. After the bout, Eubank Jr. was hospitalized for two days, and his father never left his side—literally sleeping on a stretcher in the hospital hallway right outside his son's room. For Eubank Jr., seeing his father sleep in a hospital corridor demonstrated unconditional love and erased years of bitterness. He asserts that they are now committed to rebuilding their bond stronger than ever.

- Sebastian Eubank passed away suddenly, deeply traumatizing the entire family. - Chris Eubank Sr. slept on a stretcher in the hospital hallway for two days following his son's fight with Conor Benn. - The fight served as the ultimate catalyst for repairing their years-long family rift.

[37:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2232s) Public Disgrace, Emotional Pain, and the Press Conference Breakthrough

Steven Bartlett brings up the public narrative before the fight, noting how Chris Eubank Sr. went on media rounds calling his son a "disgrace" and pleading with journalists to stop the bout. Eubank Jr. confesses that having such a painful family dispute plastered across TikTok, Instagram, and news headlines took a severe toll on his mental health. Dealing with deeply personal family trauma in the public eye was miserable, but the emotional dam broke during a heated pre-fight press conference when Conor Benn mocked his struggles with cutting weight.

``` "The weight is painful. I'll be in even more pain tonight and tomorrow. The question I ask myself is, 'What is pain?' I have a 31-year-old brother that is buried in the desert in Dubai. That's pain. I have his son, Raheem, who is three, asking why he can't see his dad... My own father... thinks I'm a disgrace. These things are pain to me." ```

Eubank Jr. explains that severe dehydration and strict rehydration clauses were mere temporary discomforts compared to the permanent emotional scars of losing his brother, comforting his grieving three-year-old nephew Raheem, and being publicly disowned by his idol. Fans strongly resonated with this raw, vulnerable moment because it revealed the human struggle behind the tough fighter persona.

- Public comments by his father calling him a "disgrace" created immense mental stress during fight prep. - Rebuked Conor Benn's comments about weight cutting by contrasting physical discomfort with real emotional grief. - His brother, Sebastian, died at age 31 and was buried in Dubai.

[42:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2534s) Fighting for Sebastian and Becoming a Father to Raheem

Throughout the fight build-up and the bout itself, Eubank Jr. kept his late brother close to his heart. He wore fight shorts bearing a picture of a screaming Sebastian along with his name printed across the bottom. Looking down at that image before stepping into the ring provided an extra layer of motivation, making defeat an absolute impossibility in his mind: "I can't look at that picture and lose. It's impossible."

The loss of his brother also fundamentally altered Eubank Jr.'s personal life through his relationship with his nephew, Raheem. Before Raheem came into his life, Eubank Jr. was entirely focused on his boxing career and had never felt the desire to have children. Caring for Raheem unlocked a profound warmth and paternal love he had never experienced before. While he considers Raheem his own son in every way that matters, the experience has inspired him to want biological children of his own in the future.

- Wore fight shorts featuring a picture and the name of his late brother, Sebastian Eubank. - Took on a central father-figure role for his three-year-old nephew, Raheem. - Credits his bond with Raheem for unlocking his desire to start a family of his own.

<ElicitationsGroup message="Explore more from this interview with Chris Eubank Jr.:"> <Elicitation label="Read about the rehydration clause and financial payout" query="Walk me through the next part of the transcript covering the rehydration restrictions and fight purse details."/> <Elicitation label="Read about the fight's dramatic final moments and hospital stay" query="Walk me through the part of the transcript covering the final moments of the fight and his hospital stay."/> <Elicitation label="Read about the drug testing scandal and egg-slapping incident" query="Walk me through the part of the transcript discussing Conor Benn's failed drug tests and the egg incident."/> </ElicitationsGroup>

[44:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2642s) Finding Purpose through Nephew Raheem and the Loss of Sebastian

Chris Eubank Jr. reflects deeply on how raising his nephew, Raheem, transformed his definition of fulfillment. Prior to taking on this responsibility, he associated happiness with grand external achievements—winning major boxing matches, pulling off huge poker victories, or traveling the world. While those experiences were exhilarating, he explains that guiding a young human being, watching him learn new words, and showing him the world brings a profound level of joy that eclipses any material win. "Before Raheem, I thought happiness was... a big win at a poker table or winning a fight... But it's a whole different level when you're with another human being who you love," he shares.

This gratitude is bound up with the tragic loss of his brother, Sebastian, who tragically drowned in Dubai. Eubank Jr. notes that Sebastian suffered a sudden heart issue while swimming in the sea, causing him to lose consciousness in an instant. He describes the shock of losing someone who was the epitome of physical fitness—a health fanatic known by the nickname "Alkaline" for his daily green juice regimen and dedication to an alkaline diet. The suddenness of Sebastian's death forced Eubank Jr. to re-evaluate his entire existence, instilling a deep respect for how fragile and fleeting life is.

Rather than wasting time on unproductive distractions like video games, TV, or the wrong crowd, Eubank Jr. now lives with an acute sense of urgency and responsibility. He stresses how privileged he and the host are to enjoy true freedom, leisure, and disposable income, contrasting their position with billions of people forced to work 12-hour survival shifts daily. "We are free. We did it. We made it... So how can you not be grateful? How can you not be respectful and responsible with your time?" he asserts.

- **Brother's Nickname:** "Alkaline" due to his strict health regimen and daily green juices. - **Cause of Death:** A sudden heart event while swimming in the sea in Dubai led to drowning. - **Perspective Shift:** Stopped wasting weeks on video games and unproductive company to focus on gratitude, responsibility, and making his finite time on Earth count.

---

[48:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2920s) The Brutal Weight Cut and a $10 Million Rehydration Clause

The discussion turns back to the physical strain Eubank Jr. endured leading up to the Conor Benn fight. When asked what physical percentage he was operating at during the early rounds—where he appeared visibly slower and lacked his typical sharpness—Eubank Jr. explains the brutal reality of his contractually obligated weight cut and rehydration clause. While he typically walks around at 180 to 185 pounds when not in training camp, he had to cut down to the middleweight limit of 160 pounds.

Making matters far worse, Benn’s team insisted on a rehydration restriction. Standard boxing rules allow fighters to refuel and eat freely after the weigh-in to restore their energy, usually adding 14 to 15 pounds back onto their frames. Under this specific contract, however, Eubank Jr. was forbidden from gaining more than 10 pounds between the weigh-in and a mandatory second weigh-in the morning of the fight (between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.). Violating this rehydration clause carried a staggering $1,000,000 fine per pound. He ultimately weighed in at 169.4 pounds at 12:00 p.m. on fight day, staying within the limit, though he did miss the main weigh-in limit slightly by just 0.05 pounds.

To drain his body of fluids, Eubank Jr. endured grueling torture methods: wearing sweat suits, wrapping himself in heated electric blankets, and sweating profusely for half-hour stretches. When the host asks why he agreed to such restrictive, performance-draining terms, Eubank Jr. admits it came down to sheer supreme confidence and an unbelievable financial payday. He agreed to the terms on the condition that the organizers "show me the money." He secured a life-changing, eight-figure payout for the bout—at least five times his typical single-fight purse of several million pounds.

- **Walk-around Weight:** 180–185 lbs; **Weight Limit:** 160 lbs (Middleweight). - **Rehydration Limit:** Restricted to gaining a maximum of 10 lbs overnight before the fight. - **Financial Penalty:** $1,000,000 fine for exceeding the rehydration limit. - **Fight Day Weight:** Weighed in at 169.4 lbs at 12:00 p.m. - **Fight Purse:** Guaranteed eight-figure sum (multi-millions), negotiated directly with H.E. Turki Alalshikh.

---

[56:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3360s) Maintaining Hunger After Life-Changing Wealth

Eubank Jr. acknowledges that the massive payout from the fight means he never *has* to step into a boxing ring again. However, at 35 years old, he insists that his hunger for success, accolades, and fan satisfaction remains completely intact. He addresses the classic trap that traps so many combat sports athletes: securing a massive paycheck, losing dedication, partying in night clubs, buying luxury cars, and slacking off on training.

He cites Floyd Mayweather Jr. as his primary inspiration for maintaining an ironclad work ethic despite reaching unimaginable wealth. "He has made a disgusting amount of money. And his performances and his dedication never ever ever changed," Eubank Jr. notes with admiration. For Eubank Jr., boxing is not merely a single training camp or a quick cash grab—it is a lifelong commitment built over two decades of sacrifice since he began training at 14 years old.

Because he has logged thousands of hours in the gym, run countless miles on treadmills, and pushed through severe injuries and cramps throughout his career, he feels mentally fortified against any fight-night adversity. Obstacles like weight clauses, contractual friction, or personal family drama cannot shake his resolve because he has already "served his time" in the trenches.

- **Age at Fight Time:** 35 years old. - **Boxing Tenure:** Dedicated to the sport since the age of 14. - **Role Model:** Floyd Mayweather Jr., praised for maintaining elite discipline despite earning hundreds of millions.

---

[58:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3538s) Going into "War Mode" Inside the Ring

Recalling the critical moments during the middle rounds of the Benn fight, Eubank Jr. describes the exact point where technical boxing gave way to raw instinct. By the seventh or eighth round, his corner frantically instructed him to use his jab, stay on his feet, and control the distance. Eubank Jr. looked back at his trainer and cornermen, shock written across their faces, and bluntly told them: "It's too late. It's too late. I'm sorry. What's going to happen is going to happen."

He explains that once a fighter commits to a brutal path inside the ring, it is impossible to switch back to a cautious, technical game plan. After a clash of heads left him with a severe cut above his eye that poured blood directly into his vision, he realized his ability to box clean was over. "Soon as that cut happened, I knew that there was no more boxing. There was no more jabbing... Nope. It's go time now, baby. We're going to see how much this kid really wants it," he says.

Abandoning defense, he entered what he calls "trench warfare," walking through heavy punches to test Benn's heart and stamina. The severe physical strain of fighting while depleted was exacerbated by extreme dehydration, causing his face to swell heavily not just from the impact of gloves, but because his moisture-starved body was reacting defensively to trauma.

- **Corner Advice (Round 7/8):** "Got to use the jab, Chris... Use your feet." - **His Reply to Corner:** "It's too late... What's going to happen is going to happen." - **Turning Point:** A headbutt caused a deep cut above his eye, filling his eye with blood and forcing him into pure brawl mode.

---

[01:02:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3730s) The Post-Fight Hospital Emergency and Dehydration

The physical toll of the fight became terrifyingly clear in the aftermath, culminating in an urgent hospital visit. Lying in a hospital bed attached to IV drips, Eubank Jr. experienced severe complications stemming from acute dehydration. Despite having a completely full bladder and feeling an agonizing urge to urinate for over two hours, his body was so starved for fluids that it refused to release any moisture at all. "My body would not let any liquids, any moisture go. It was holding on to everything," he recalls.

Catching his reflection in a mirror—his face horribly swollen, a massive gash across his brow, and a pounding headache—he admits feeling a moment of intense self-pity while surrounded by worried, tearful family members. Wearing an oxygen mask and struggling with severe pain, he begged the medical staff for morphine. However, doctors could not administer heavy painkillers until formal medical sign-offs were completed.

While waiting in agony in a bay separated only by hospital curtains, the gravity of the medical setting hit him as he overheard doctors wheeling another patient into the adjacent room, urgently declaring, "We have to operate on him now."

- **Hospital Conditions:** Required IV fluids and an oxygen mask while suffering from severe swelling and excruciating headaches. - **Dehydration Complication:** Inability to urinate for hours due to extreme fluid retention caused by dehydration. - **Pain Management:** Forced to wait for morphine approval while witnessing emergency medical procedures taking place in the neighboring curtained bay.

Here is a detailed, faithful walkthrough of this section of the transcript, capturing the concrete facts, personal stories, and emotional beats of the conversation.

---

[01:04:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3850s) Perspective in the Hospital Ward

Continuing his recounting of the aftermath of the fight, Chris Eubank Jr. describes lying in a hospital room in pain when he overheard doctors in the adjacent room talking about another patient, saying, "Otherwise, he's going to die." Hearing those words instantly shifted his mindset from self-pity to deep gratitude. He realized that while he was complaining about a headache and a cut eye, someone right next to him was fighting for their life. Although he never learned what happened to the man, the moment gave him immediate perspective on his own situation, leaving him feeling blessed to be alive and okay.

Steven Bartlett then pivots to introduce a sponsor message for Vanta, a cybersecurity compliance automation platform. Bartlett emphasizes how managing compliance across frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 grows increasingly complex for founders and professionals alike, noting that Vanta helps automate these tedious processes and enables companies to answer security questionnaires up to five times faster.

- **IDC White Paper Data:** Companies using Vanta save over $535,000 annually, with the software paying for itself within three months. - **Promotional Offer:** Listeners get $1,000 off at `[vanta.com/steven](https://vanta.com/steven)`.

---

[01:06:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3970s) Drug Testing, Accountability, and Refusing to Shake Conor Benn's Hand

Bartlett returns to the interview, asking Eubank Jr. whether he developed a newfound respect for Conor Benn after the grueling 12-round fight. Eubank Jr. admits he was genuinely surprised by Benn's heart, determination, and refusal to give up, as he had originally anticipated Benn would fatigue by round five or six and look for a way out. However, despite recognizing Benn's grit in the ring, Eubank Jr. deliberately refused to shake his hand, congratulate him, or hug him after the final bell—breaking standard boxing etiquette.

Eubank Jr. stresses that his refusal was not promotional theater, explaining, "bothered is an understatement." He views performance-enhancing drug use in combat sports as a life-and-death issue, calling it "a form of attempted murder" because taking extra weaponry into a ring directly jeopardizes an opponent's safety. He firmly rejects the argument that Benn's positive tests might have been accidental or due to food contamination. As a professional athlete, Eubank Jr. insists it is your sole job to know exactly what goes into your body, and failing two drug tests represents gross irresponsibility. He feels a duty to set an example for young fans watching, showing that drug cheats do not receive respect or a free pass.

- **Conor Benn Doping Timeline:** In late 2022 (July/September), Benn failed two voluntary anti-doping tests for clomifene, a testosterone-boosting substance, causing the original fight to be canceled. - **Regulatory History:** UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) suspended Benn, briefly reinstated him following claims of egg contamination, appealed that decision to reinstate the suspension, and ultimately cleared him in November 2024 when a panel ruled intentional use was not proven. - **Eubank Jr.'s Stance:** He maintains that regardless of whether Benn expressed devastation or emotional distress after getting caught, he cannot forgive or respect him without genuine accountability and an apology.

---

[01:12:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4377s) The £100,000 "Egg Slap" and Rematch Economics

Bartlett brings up the infamous pre-fight press conference incident where Eubank Jr. slapped Conor Benn with an egg, resulting in a £100,000 fine from boxing authorities. When asked if he regrets the incident, Eubank Jr. smiles and responds, "Worth every penny, my friend." He clarifies that the slap was not an act of violence but "an act of justice" designed to create a permanent symbol tying Benn to his failed drug test justification. He explains that too often fighters serve short bans, pay fines, and return as if nothing happened; he wanted to ensure the public and Benn never forget the situation.

The discussion then turns to the financial structure of high-stakes boxing rematches:

- **Rematch Pay Structures:** In professional boxing, winning a fight grants massive leverage to demand significantly higher purses for the rematch. Losing means taking home millions less. - **The Saudi Investment Impact:** Working with Saudi Arabia's boxing organizers (such as Turki Al-Sheikh) ensures massive purse minimums, but the fundamental boxing economic rule remains: "You're only as good as your last fight." - **Contractual Guarantees:** Eubank Jr. reveals that when signing the original contract, he was confident he would blow Benn out and thought no one would even want to see a rematch, making the guaranteed rematch purse clause an incredible business deal for him.

---

[01:16:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4607s) Potential Rematch in September and the Boxing Mindset

Addressing rumors about their future, Eubank Jr. confirms that a rematch is contractually outlined and likely to happen later in the year, noting rumors that Turki Al-Sheikh has already eyed arena dates around September. While briefly dodging direct questions about specific pre-fight health claims, he states that if the fans want the rematch, he is eager to deliver. He shares heartwarming feedback from friends who told him their young sons were inspired to join local boxing gyms and hit the bags for the first time after watching their fight.

Eubank Jr. expresses immense confidence about a second fight, explaining that his greatest strength as a veteran is adapting after experiencing an opponent firsthand. Reflecting on his early days, he recalls getting beaten badly during his very first sparring session, only to return two months later after analyzing his opponent's speed and style to dominate the rematch. Having already proven this in his career by avenging his loss against Liam Smith, Eubank Jr. believes experiencing Benn's speed, strength, and tenacity for 12 rounds gives him all the tactical data he needs to tweak his style and handle the rematch much easier.

When Bartlett points out that Eubank Jr. has tens of millions in the bank and could easily retire to buy a boat rather than go back through a brutal weight cut and face a dangerous "dog" in the ring, Eubank Jr. laughs and admits to being "sick in that way." He lives for the high-stakes uncertainty and extreme physical tests, saying those are the moments he will look back on with pride when he is 80 years old.

<ElicitationsGroup message="Explore more from this interview with Chris Eubank Jr.:"> {/* Reason: Offers logical next steps based on the remaining sections of the podcast transcript. */} <Elicitation label="Read about the fight walkout and psychological buildup" query="Show me the transcript walkthrough for the walkout, Billy Joe Saunders, and Eubank Jr.'s final thoughts."/> <Elicitation label="Summarize Eubank Jr.'s relationship with his father" query="Provide a detailed overview of what Chris Eubank Jr. shared about his relationship and rift with his father."/> </ElicitationsGroup>

[01:22:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4970s) The Mindset of a Fighter and the Legendary Walkout

Reflecting on the sheer physical degradation and agony experienced inside the ring, Chris Eubank Jr. notes that fighters are "wired differently" from ordinary people. When normal human beings face pain and severe discomfort, their immediate instinct is to ask how to avoid it. A fighter, by contrast, moves directly toward it to test their limits, asking: *"Can he break me? No. But let's find out if he can."*

The discussion shifts to his walkout for the Conor Benn fight, which host Steven Bartlett describes as "iconic" and "legendary," having rewatched it around 15 times himself. Eubank Jr. explains that Dr. Dre's song has been his walkout anthem his entire career, making the live orchestral arrangement behind it extraordinarily special. However, the sequence underwent dramatic, last-minute changes that almost did not happen:

``` WALKOUT SEQUENCE STRUCTURE ┌──────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐ │ Simply the Best │───>│ "Ethereal" Song │───>│ Live Orchestra & │ │ (Honor to Father)│ │ (Dad's Request) │ │ Dr. Dre Anthem │ └──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘ ```

* **Original Plans:** They were initially in talks with British rapper **Central Cee** to bring him out to the ring. * **The Father's Request:** When Chris Eubank Sr. unexpectedly re-entered the picture right before the fight, all prior theatrical arrangements were scrapped. Eubank Sr. requested a specific, unfamiliar song to be played during the entrance. * **Initial Hesitation:** Eubank Jr. admits he was initially annoyed, feeling his father had not been involved in the long build-up and was now making a "kooky request" that risked ruining the energy of Tina Turner's *Simply the Best* and his orchestral Dr. Dre entrance. * **The Resulting Magic:** On the night, as the music shifted on stage to the quiet, "ethereal" track requested by his father, the stadium energy dropped into a hushed stillness. Looking out at the weeping crowd, Eubank Jr. realized his father was right all along: *"Even when you think he's crazy or wrong, he's right."* The peaceful moment allowed the world to absorb the magnitude of father and son finally standing side by side. * **The WWE Comparison:** People compared the spectacle and dramatic car entrance—where his father stepped out of a Rolls-Royce to deafening commentary reactions—to WWE. Eubank Jr., having never watched professional wrestling, emphasizes that the raw emotion and reactions were 100% genuine and unscripted.

---

[01:28:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5304s) Animosity Toward Billy Joe Saunders and Potential Future Fights

When asked about his long-standing rivalry with **Billy Joe Saunders**, who had defeated him years prior via a controversial decision and caused a scene outside his dressing room on fight night trying to inspect hand wraps, Eubank Jr. pulls no punches. He explicitly names Saunders as one of the very few human beings on Earth he genuinely despises.

> "He is a drug cheat, too... but he is actually a real scummy human being... A terrible advocate for the sport. Just a real low-life human being."

Contrastingly, Eubank Jr. notes that while Conor Benn also failed drug tests, he can still understand why people like Benn. Saunders, however, possesses "nothing to like." Eubank Jr. remains desperate to set the record straight in the ring against Saunders to erase the split-decision loss hanging over his career.

When asked to map out his ideal **next three fights**, Eubank Jr. outlines a clear hierarchy:

1. **Conor Benn Rematch:** The public demand and momentum following their April 2025 clash is at an all-time high, making it the immediate priority. 2. **Canelo Álvarez:** A blockbuster fight he has targeted for years to test himself against one of the sport's greatest pound-for-pound fighters. 3. **Billy Joe Saunders:** A long-awaited revenge match to settle their bitter personal feud once and for all.

---

[01:34:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5672s) The Archived Video: Proving His Father Wrong

Steven plays a famous viral archival video clip featuring a young Chris Eubank Jr. sitting in a lavish room alongside his mother, his father Chris Eubank Sr., and boxing legend **Lennox Lewis**. In the video, Eubank Sr. adamantly argues against his son taking up boxing, claiming that middle- or upper-class kids brought up with wealth lack the necessary "hunger" and hardness to survive such a brutal sport, while Lennox Lewis and his mother advocate for giving the young man a chance.

Watching the footage back, Eubank Jr. identifies the emotion on his father's face as pure **fear**—a father who went through physical hell in the ring terrified that his child would walk into the same barbaric trade he worked so hard to elevate his family out of.

* **The Trap of Privilege:** Eubank Jr. agrees with his father's underlying logic: nine times out of ten, wealthy kids quit when faced with extreme physical suffering. * **The Multi-Door Analogy:** * *Fighters from poverty* have only one door in front of them: if they don't walk through it and endure pain, they don't eat, pay rent, or survive. * *Eubank Jr.* had dozens of alternative "doors" available to him due to his upbringing—private schooling, football, business, acting, or a comfortable lifestyle. * **Choosing the Pain:** Every time he faced a painful obstacle—a blow to the stomach, a severe cut, or agonizing training—the easy exits were visible all around him. Staying on the brutal path of professional boxing required an extraordinary, visceral determination to prove his father wrong and prove his own inner strength right.

[01:40:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=6042s) The Dynamics with Frank Smith and Matchroom

Chris reflects on his father's harsh motivational style, wondering if his dad was calling his bluff or trying to push him harder by withholding approval. He notes that if his father had given him early blessings, he might have tried his best but ultimately accepted failure in painful moments; instead, being told he couldn't do it put a massive chip on his shoulder, driving him to prove his father wrong.

The conversation shifts to the bizarre family dynamic involving Frank Smith, the CEO of Matchroom Boxing, who is in a long-term relationship with Chris’s sister. Despite spending Christmases together in the past, Chris explains that they no longer get along or speak. Chris, who is signed with rival promotional company BOXXER, accuses Frank Smith and Eddie Hearn of trying to sabotage his business and career due to the bitter rivalry between the two promotion houses.

> "He was sitting in that arena on Saturday night praying that I lose."

Chris refused to sign with Matchroom because he does not trust Eddie Hearn or Frank Smith, calling them dangerous. He marvels at the surreal situation his sister is in—being in corner support for Chris while living with Frank, whose "golden boy" Conor Benn just lost. He wonders aloud what conversation takes place in their bed when one partner is distraught over Benn's defeat and the other is celebrating her brother's victory.

- **Promotional Rivalry:** BOXXER (Chris Eubank Jr.) vs. Matchroom Boxing (Eddie Hearn & Frank Smith). - **Personal Stance:** Refuses to talk to or be cordial with Frank Smith due to perceived career sabotage. - **Sister's Role:** Stood in Chris’s corner during the fight despite her relationship with Matchroom's CEO.

---

[01:44:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=6292s) Timeless Album Choice and Closing Reflections

Following the podcast's tradition where the previous guest leaves an anonymous question, Chris is asked which single album he would choose to listen to for the rest of his life. He selects Michael Jackson's *Thriller*, emphasizing that he wants something timeless and classic that kids will still enjoy 200 years from now.

Host Steven Bartlett expresses deep gratitude to Chris for delivering one of the most inspiring live sporting events he has ever witnessed, comparing it favorably to seeing Vasiliy Lomachenko in New York. Steven shares how watching Chris push through total exhaustion in the 12th round against Conor Benn served as a powerful reminder of human resilience. Steven also opens up about his own family fractures, noting how Chris’s open vulnerability allowed the public to connect with the human behind the fighter rather than just a cold-faced boxer.

- **Desert Island Album:** Michael Jackson — *Thriller*. - **Host's Favorite Live Fight:** Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn (surpassing Lomachenko in NYC). - **Key Takeaway:** The public appreciation stems from seeing Chris's raw humanity, family struggles, and perseverance beyond standard athletic performance.

## Notable quotes > [12:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=722s) For the first time in my whole career, I'm walking through a crowd and there's no boos... I'm seeing grown men with tears in their eyes and smiles. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [12:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=722s) Call me when you see this. — Chris Eubank Sr.

> [12:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=722s) Hey, how you doing, son?... I want to be there for you. — Chris Eubank Sr.

> [18:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1080s) What do you think I want from you? — Chris Eubank Sr.

> [21:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1282s) No, I want nothing. Absolutely nothing. — Chris Eubank Sr.

> [24:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1472s) It became spiritual. It wasn't about the physical. I was dehydrated... It became about just being true. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [24:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1472s) No one's around. No one's watching, but you keep your ass on that treadmill and you get through the pain. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [29:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1745s) I am the boss. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [37:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2232s) The weight is painful. I'll be in even more pain tonight and tomorrow. The question I ask myself is, 'What is pain?' I have a 31-year-old brother that is buried in the desert in Dubai. That's pain. I have his son, Raheem, who is three, asking why he can't see his dad... My own father... thinks I'm a disgrace. These things are pain to me. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [42:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2534s) I can't look at that picture and lose. It's impossible. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [44:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2642s) Before Raheem, I thought happiness was... a big win at a poker table or winning a fight... But it's a whole different level when you're with another human being who you love — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [44:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2642s) We are free. We did it. We made it... So how can you not be grateful? How can you not be respectful and responsible with your time? — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [56:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3360s) He has made a disgusting amount of money. And his performances and his dedication never ever ever changed — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [58:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3538s) It's too late. It's too late. I'm sorry. What's going to happen is going to happen. — Chris Eubank Jr.

> [01:28:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5304s) He is a drug cheat, too... but he is actually a real scummy human being... A terrible advocate for the sport. Just a real low-life human being. — Chris Eubank Jr.

## Mentioned Chris Eubank Jr., Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Sr., Sebastian Eubank, Raheem Eubank, Steven Bartlett, The Diary Of A CEO, Nigel Benn, Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing, BOXXER, Frank Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, Devin Haney, Canelo Álvarez, Ryan Garcia, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Turki Alalshikh, Lennox Lewis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Central Cee, Dr. Dre, Tina Turner, UKAD, Vanta, Vivobarefoot, Thriller, Michael Jackson

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM)

中文简报

克服减重难关并与父亲和解，Eubank Jr. 击败 Benn Chris Eubank Jr. 透露，他在深夜与父亲的和解带来了必要的情感鼓舞，帮助他挺过了身体严重脱水的难关并击败 Conor Benn。 Chris Eubank Jr. 剖析了与 Conor Benn 激战12回合中所经受的身心严峻考验，透露极端脱水、补水限制以及眼部较深的伤口如何迫使他陷入求生模式。在拳台之外，他敞开心扉，讲述了在经历数年公开疏远后，于赛前夕与父亲 Chris Eubank Sr. 突然和解的经历，以及痛失兄弟 Sebastian 带来的持久伤痛。他还谈到了自己在抚养侄子 Raheem 过程中承担的父亲角色、对违禁药物的严正反对立场，以及未来面对 Benn、Canelo Álvarez 和 Billy Joe Saunders 的潜在比赛。 Chris Eubank Jr. 与 Conor Benn 在12个回合的比赛中合计出拳命中约1500次，使其成为一场超越拳击本身的即时经典战役。 (2:11) 在赛前，Eubank Jr. 面临着极大的压力，包括哪怕超重仅0.5磅就将面临100万美元的体重罚款，以及严苛的补水限制条款。 (9:54) 在经历了长达两年的公开疏远与媒体互相攻讦后，Eubank Jr. 在赛前一晚与父亲达成和解，当时他的父亲主动联系他，除了陪伴在儿子身旁外别无所求。 (12:02) Eubank Jr. 解释称，与父亲最初产生裂痕始于他寄出了一封声称“我才是老板”的信，意图走出父亲的阴影并自主掌控拳击生涯。 (29:05) 公开的争端以及父亲严厉的言论对 Eubank Jr. 的心理健康造成了沉重打击，并加剧了痛失兄弟 Sebastian 的悲伤。 (37:12)

Reading summary

Following his high-stakes, 12-round war against Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr. reflects on enduring extreme physical dehydration, negotiating a life-changing financial purse, and reconciling with his estranged father on the eve of the bout. Brutal Contract Terms and Fight Economics (48:40) Eubank Jr. agreed to rigorous physical conditions in exchange for a guaranteed eight-figure payday negotiated directly with Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh—a sum at least five times his typical purse. To meet the 160-pound middleweight limit from his typical walk-around weight of 180 to 185 pounds, he endured intense sweat-suit and electric-blanket regimens. A strict contract clause capped his fight-day rehydration at 10 pounds between the initial weigh-in and a secondary check, subject to a $1,000,000 per-pound fine. Eubank Jr. weighed in at 169.4 pounds on fight morning, having narrowly missed the initial scale limit by 0.05 pounds. Reconciliation with Chris Eubank Sr. (12:02) Their relationship had fractured years earlier when Eubank Jr. sent his father a letter asserting control of his career with the phrase 'I am the boss.' The estrangement deepened after the drowning of his brother Sebastian, prompting public criticism from Eubank Sr., who labeled the Benn fight a disgrace. However, the night before the bout, Senior reached out, arrived at his son's hotel, and explicitly confirmed he wanted no money or conditions to support him. Senior joined the ring walkout, altering the music with an ethereal track, and spent the subsequent two days sleeping on a hospital stretcher outside his son's ward during recovery. In-Ring Brutality and Post-Fight Medical Emergency (58:58) After suffering a head clash that opened a severe cut over his eye in the middle rounds, Eubank Jr. abandoned tactical boxing to engage in what he described as trench warfare. Together, Eubank Jr. and Benn landed approximately 1,500 punches, surpassing the combined output of three separate world title bouts involving Devin Haney, Canelo Álvarez, and Ryan Garcia. Following the final bell, Eubank Jr. was hospitalized with acute dehydration, requiring IV fluids and an oxygen mask while experiencing a complete inability to urinate for over two hours due to severe fluid retention. Doping Stances and Future Rematch Targets (66:10) Despite acknowledging Benn's toughness, Eubank Jr. refused to shake his hand post-fight, calling performance-enhancing drug use in combat sports a life-and-death issue akin to attempted murder. Benn had previously failed two drug tests for clomifene in 2022 before a panel cleared him in November 2024. Eubank Jr., who had paid a £100,000 fine for slapping Benn with an egg at a press conference, confirmed that a rematch is contractually targeted for around September, with Canelo Álvarez and longtime rival Billy Joe Saunders identified as his other ideal future opponents. Family Tragedy and Shifting Motivations (44:02) The sudden death of his brother Sebastian from a cardiac event while swimming in Dubai transformed Eubank Jr.'s outlook on boxing and lifestyle. Stepping into a parental role for his three-year-old nephew Raheem helped him pivot away from superficial distractions toward family responsibility, inspiring him to wear shorts honoring Sebastian during the bout. He noted that while his privileged upbringing gave him multiple alternative career paths, fighting was his deliberate choice to cultivate resilience and counter his father's historical belief that wealthy children lack the hunger for boxing. While Eubank Jr. has achieved long-term financial security and renewed his family bonds, questions remain regarding how he will manage the physical toll of strict weight cuts in a proposed autumn rematch against Benn.

精炼阅读摘要

英国中量级拳击手Chris Eubank Jr.接受专访，回顾了他与Conor Benn在12回合惨烈大战中的幕后历程，阐述了严苛减重、赛前孤立以及父子长年决裂对自身心理的极限施压。他指出，正是赛前最后一刻与父亲的无条件和解以及直面生死边缘的执念，支撑他在遭遇严重脱水与头部创伤时抛弃技术战术，最终靠纯粹的意志力赢下比赛并找回个人与家庭的意义。 极限减重与千万补水条款的生理摧残 (48:40) Eubank Jr.详述了这场大战背后极具惩罚性的合同限制。他平时的自然体重维持在180至185磅之间，却必须减至160磅的中量级上限。更具威胁的是对手团队设置的次日称重补水限制：标准拳击比赛允许选手称重后自由进食补水，通常可恢复14至15磅，但该合同严禁他在称重至赛日早晨8点至12点间增重超过10磅，每超重1磅将面临100万美元罚款。他在赛日中午12点的二次称重为169.4磅，勉强合规，但正赛称重时因微幅超标0.5磅被罚款100万美元。为此他经历了穿排汗服、裹电热毯长达半小时极限暴汗的脱水折磨。尽管明知生理损耗巨大，他坦承出于极高自信与由H.E. Turki Alalshikh促成的八位数保底巨额出场费（数倍于过往数百万英镑的常规酬劳），最终选择签约并承担一切风险。 父子决裂的根源与赛前之夜的无条件和解 (29:05) 父子之间长达数年的隔阂源于Eubank Jr.试图摆脱父亲的巨大阴影。过去其早期生涯的合同、对手与决策完全由Chris Eubank Sr.掌控，直到他为了确立自我独立性，亲笔致信父亲宣告“我是老板”，这一举动深深伤害了专断固执的父亲，直接导致两人关系破裂。随后弟弟Sebastian在迪拜因心脏突发事件溺水猝逝，深陷悲痛的父亲转向大麻疗伤，家庭裂痕彻底加剧。在与Benn赛前数月，父亲公开在媒体上称这场比赛是闹剧并斥责儿子是“耻辱”，让他在社交网络上背负巨大的精神折磨。然而在比赛前夜，父亲意外发短信并致电表示想陪伴在他身边。令Eubank Jr.如释重负的是，父亲亲口确认完全不需要金钱报酬，纯粹以父亲的身份回归；老尤班克随后在儿子送医的两天里直接睡在走廊担架上彻夜看护，正式修补了多年的裂痕。 擂台白刃战转向与濒临死亡的急诊救治 (58:58) 比赛前七回合Eubank Jr.自认技术发挥平稳，但一次头部撞击导致其眼眶严重开裂、鲜血直冲视野，加上极端脱水引发的面部剧烈肿胀，使他彻底丧失了外围游击的条件。当教练在第7、8回合要求他依靠刺拳和移动时，他直言“为时已晚”，索性将比赛拖入纯粹的近身肉搏战。两人全场合计命中约1,500拳，输出量超过了Devin Haney、Canelo Álvarez及Ryan Garcia各自的三场世界战合计出拳数（约1,400拳），且他在最后两回合带伤轰出超过300拳。赛后他被紧急送入医院吸氧并输液，极度缺水的身体出现严重并发症——膀胱充盈却长达两小时完全无法排尿。在等待吗啡止痛审批期间，他隔着帘子听到隔壁抢救室医生大喊“必须立刻手术否则他会死”，这一幕令他瞬间从自怜中清醒，深刻意识到自己能在战争般的惨烈擂台后保住性命已是莫大恩赐。 拒绝原谅禁药行为与复仇宿敌的战局规划 (66:10) 尽管Eubank Jr.认可Conor Benn展现出的硬度与超乎预期的速度，但他赛后打破惯例拒绝与对手握手或拥抱。他强调在格斗运动中使用兴奋剂等同于“故意杀人未遂”，并明确指出Benn在2022年曾两度氯米芬（clomifene）阳性检测未过，尽管UKAD后续取消了指控，但他拒绝接受所谓的“鸡蛋污染”借口，并在赛前称重时用鸡蛋拍击Benn，甘愿承受拳击管理机构10万英镑的罚单来作为警示。对于职业生涯的下一步，他将目标锁定在三场对决：首选是预计于9月上演且商业报酬丰厚的Benn二番战，他坚信经历12回合摸清对手节奏后能轻松压制对方；次选是挑战P4P拳王Canelo Álvarez；第三则是清算与宿敌Billy Joe Saunders的旧账，他直斥Saunders同为药检阳性者且人品低劣，迫切希望通过复仇战洗刷当年的分歧判定失利。 家庭责任与特权阶层打拳的内在驱动力 (44:02) 弟弟的猝逝不仅让Eubank Jr.深刻体悟生命的脆弱，还彻底改变了他的生活重心。他主动承担起抚养3岁侄子Raheem的责任，并将其视如己出，这种全新的父亲角色激发了他未来组建家庭的渴望，也让他从昔日沉迷扑克和物质享乐的生活中抽离，转而追求具有厚重感的真实责任。针对外界对其优渥家庭背景的质疑以及早期档案视频中父亲认为富家子弟缺乏擂台饥饿感的断言，Eubank Jr.解释贫困拳手往往只有一条生存通路，而自己原本握有求学、经商等数十扇轻松退路的大门。正因如此，每一次选择在擂台剧痛中坚持而不是走下跑步机，都是为了彻底击碎父亲关于自己缺乏心力的偏见，证明自己在财富与名利之外拥有属于纯粹战士的灵魂。 Eubank Jr.目前坐拥足以保障余生的财富与二番战的主动谈判权，但他将拳击定义为超越金钱的精神修炼。面对赛事推广方BOXXER与Matchroom之间因家族裙带关系夹杂的商业敌意，以及外界对高龄继续冒险的疑问，他坚称自己仍将遵从战斗本能，把每一次置身极度险境视作80岁回望人生时无可替代的尊严来源。

Detailed notes — zh

## Background 本期内容由知名播客频道 The Diary Of A CEO 于 2025 年 5 月 8 日在 YouTube 平台发布。节目简介指出，世界级中量级职业拳手小克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）亲临现场，深度讲述他在 2025 年 4 月击败宿敌科纳·本（Conor Benn）那场载入英国拳坛史册的血战全过程，并披露了赛前拒绝与对手握手的内幕、差点导致比赛流产的危机、与传奇父亲公开决裂与世纪和解的真相，以及痛失胞弟、将侄子视如己出的心路历程。 ## TL;DR 在与科纳·本打满十二回合的惨烈肉搏中，小克里斯·尤班克不仅克服了极度严苛的赛前脱水与限制补水条款，更顶着眼眶严重撕裂、体能濒临枯竭的绝境，以近乎自虐般的钢铁意志打出近 1500 记出拳的大战并赢得胜利。除了擂台上的肉搏，他揭露了赛前遭遇的巨额盘外招惩罚、沙特资本开出的千万美元天价出战博弈，以及对曾药检阳性的对手坚守零容忍底线。最核心的情感救赎发生在大战前夜，曾公开发信断绝关系、斥其为耻辱的传奇父亲老尤班克戏剧性现身并陪护到底，让这场比赛不仅打破了阶层与质疑的桎梏，更化解了数年的家庭心结与丧弟创痛。 ## Atmosphere & style 整场访谈充溢着浴血重生的肃穆感与直击灵魂的真挚，将拳击运动的原始残酷与深层人性脆弱交织呈现。小尤班克褪去了赛场上的冷酷面具，以极其平缓却极具张力的语调，向主持人斯蒂芬·巴特利特倾诉濒临死亡边缘的病房顿悟与家庭裂痕；斯蒂芬的倾听充满同理心与敏锐的心理投射，促使对话在血腥的擂台堑壕战与至深的父子救赎之间层层推进，带给观众一种穿透浮华、让人几度落泪的震撼力量。 ## Bulletin - [02:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=124s) 小克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）历经12回合血战击败康纳·本（Conor Benn），全场有效命中达约1,500拳，强度超过同期三场世界拳王头条战总和。 - [52:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3124s) 沙特娱乐总局主席图尔基·阿尔·谢赫（Turki Alalshikh）开出八位数天价报酬，买断尤班克接受严苛的次日增重不得超10磅的补水限制条款。 - [14:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=887s) 长达数年公开决裂的传奇父亲老尤班克在赛前前夜主动破冰，分文不取陪同儿子步入拳台并在赛后医院走廊守护两天，促成世纪大和解。 - [01:06:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3960s) 尤班克赛后坚决拒绝与康纳·本握手，斥责其药检两次阳性为不可原谅的作弊行为，将带违禁物质上擂台定性为“谋杀未遂”。 ## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=0s) 第7回合面部撕裂重伤后，尤班克放弃战术与技术规训，靠意志力硬抗严重脱水与双腿麻木，在最后两回合轰出近300拳完成逆转。 - [06:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=384s) 作为顶级拳手的职业信条，尤班克拒绝在赛前赛后以伤病、盘外招或精神高压作为借口，坚信咬牙战胜逆境是战士的天职。 - [29:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1745s) 父子决裂的核心导火索是尤班克写信宣告职业独立并写下“我才是老板”，导致习惯全权掌控的老尤班克挫败疏离。 - [42:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2534s) 弟弟塞巴斯蒂安在迪拜溺亡是尤班克人生的根本转折点，促使他抚养侄子拉希姆并终结荒废生活，确立了生命敬畏与家庭责任感。 - [37:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2232s) 赛前发布会上，尤班克直言减重脱水的生理折磨微不足道，家庭生离死别与被至亲公开痛斥才是刻骨铭心的真正痛苦。 - [48:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2918s) 由于同意了严苛的补水限制条款，尤班克不仅赛前过度脱水，更因首称超重0.05磅遭重罚，赛后因组织水肿与尿潴留紧急送医急救。 - [56:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3389s) 尤班克推崇梅威瑟在积累巨富后仍保持绝对自律的典范，认为拳手拿到高额酬金后更肩负对观众与拳击运动的高水准职业操守。 - [01:04:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3845s) 急诊室中隔壁垂危病人的抢救呼喊让尤班克顿悟，促使他瞬间从自怨自艾转为对幸存与健康的深深感恩。 - [01:12:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4377s) 发布会上的“鸡蛋巴掌”与10万英镑罚款被尤班克视为正义清算，旨在让康纳·本余生都无法摆脱药检违规的污名烙印。 - [01:18:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4711s) 尤班克坚信二番战将对自己更轻松，源于他通过12回合交手摸透对手底牌后极擅调整战术的二番战历史经验。 - [01:21:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4901s) 顶级拳手具备逆向心理机制，不仅对悬崖边缘的不确定性嗜瘾，更在遭遇创伤与剧痛后涌起继续深入痛苦探寻极限的冲动。 - [01:36:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5794s) 早年优渥家境与身后敞开的“多扇退路之门”，反而成为尤班克逼迫自己拒绝捷径、誓向父亲证明自己足够坚韧的偏执驱动力。 - [01:30:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5436s) 尤班克心中的职业终章蓝图清晰明确：先与康纳·本打二番战，随后挑战阿瓦雷兹（Canelo），最终了结宿敌比利·乔·桑德斯。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=0s) 医院抢救、父子决裂与重返擂台的生死战 在比赛落幕之后，克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）直接被紧急送往医院。他戴着氧气面罩躺在病床上，剧烈的痛苦让他不断在心中呼喊着“快给我注射吗啡”。病床旁围满了神情凝重的家人，甚至有人开始忍不住啜泣；就在这时，隔壁房间清晰传来了医生冰冷而急迫的声音：“我们必须立刻为他动手术，否则他会死。”这场胜利的背后，是一场真正徘徊在死亡边缘的肉体浩劫。 回想起与科纳·本（Conor Benn）打满整整十二回合的激战，克里斯对自己的表现给出了极其坦诚的评价。在比赛的前七个回合里，他始终保持着极佳的技术水准与战术执行力；然而，随着面部被撕裂开巨大的伤口，此前备战期所有遭受的严苛限制与身体隐患同时爆发。在角落里，教练急切地冲他大喊：“用刺拳，克里斯！动起你的脚步来！”克里斯看着教练，只平静而决绝地回了一句：“抱歉，已经太晚了。”因为他早就知道职业生涯中必然会迎来这样的时刻——当你体能彻底枯竭、伤痛难忍甚至心生放弃时，你唯一能做的就是与内心的恶魔搏斗。他不愿在余生中背负着“未尽全力”的悔恨苟活，那一刻所有教科书式的技术规范全被抛之脑后，比赛彻底沦为一场原始而惨烈的血战。科纳的速度与力量均超出了克里斯的赛前预估，胜负完全取决于谁更具搏命的渴望；更何况，多年来与他形同陌路、甚至曾公开发信断绝关系的传奇父亲老尤班克（Chris Eubank Sr.）就坐在台下，他必须向父亲证明自己同样能够成就伟业。 ### [02:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=124s) 远超预期的残酷决战与拳击历史的经典时刻 在比赛结束后的首次深度长访谈中，克里斯直言整场决战的疯狂程度超乎想象。在踏入拳台之前，他原本以为这场比赛会是一边倒的碾压局，自己可以像往常一样予取予求，轻松把这个年轻对手打得溃不成军，亲眼看着对方在重压之下放弃或崩盘。然而事实证明他彻底想错了，而他也由衷地为这种“误判”感到庆幸——如果真如预想般轻松取胜，这便绝不可能成为一场载入史册的传世之战。 克里斯指出，一场拳赛要想赢得整个拳击界的最高敬意，双方拳手都必须跨入真正的火海，展现出近乎超人般的坚韧意志，并在濒临极限时绝不退缩。如今的职业拳坛充斥着沉闷乏味的高手对决，比如刚刚过去的那个周末，德文·哈尼（Devin Haney）、阿瓦雷兹（Canelo）以及瑞安·加西亚（Ryan Garcia）等当今最顶尖拳手分别出战，三场头条大战合计命中的总拳数仅有约 1400 拳；而克里斯与科纳在一场比赛中打出的有效命中就达到了约 1500 拳，单场的火力密度直接碾压了其他三场大战的总和。当他赛后首次走上布里克森（Brixton）的街头时，甚至有素不相识的女性观众当场热泪盈眶地向他致敬。这早已超越了单纯的竞技体育，尤其是他和父亲在决裂多年后于大决战时刻冰释前嫌、紧密团结，这种真实的父子情仇击中了无数普通家庭的软肋，让整场赛事升华为关于爱与救赎的人性史诗。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 拳赛强度与命中数对比 accDescr: 对比尤班克对阵本的单场比赛与三场世界级拳王争霸赛的命中拳数 subgraph Benchmark["同期三场顶级大战综合数据"] direction TB B1["德文·哈尼 大战"] B2["阿瓦雷兹 (Canelo) 大战"] B3["瑞安·加西亚 大战"] B_SUM["三场大战合计命中：约 1,400 拳\n(场面沉闷，缺乏拼刺互搏)"] B1 --> B_SUM B2 --> B_SUM B3 --> B_SUM end subgraph EpicFight["尤班克 vs 科纳·本"] direction TB E1["十二回合浴血死斗"] E2["全场硬碰硬对轰"] E_SUM["单场命中数：约 1,500 拳\n(超越三场顶级战总和)"] E1 --> E_SUM E2 --> E_SUM end ``` ### [06:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=384s) 擂台上的异常状态与拒绝借口的拳手准则 主持人斯蒂芬·巴特利特（Steven Bartlett）凭借现场观战的敏锐直觉向克里斯提出质询：在开局的前几个回合中，克里斯虽然眼神里依然带着往昔的凶狠斗志，但整体状态明显不对劲，动作与机能都透着反常，甚至远不如以往在曼彻斯特等赛场上的生龙活虎。主持人追问，这究竟是由于轻视了科纳的爆发力，还是因为克里斯的身体与心理在赛前就已经亮起了红灯。 克里斯对此坦然承认，主持人的观察非常敏锐，但在他的私人生活中确实发生了许多外界永远无法知晓的变故。为了如期登上那座拳台，他必须承受常人难以想象的减重与极端的赛后补水限制（Rehydration Restriction），这使得他在踏入围绳时身体机能根本没有达到百分之百。但他斩钉截铁地表示，自己绝不会逐一罗列具体的伤病、疾病或精神压力来作为开脱的理由。在职业拳击的世界里，每一位走上战场的斗士都拖着不同程度的伤残与心魔，咬碎牙关战胜内心的恶劣环境本就是拳手的天职。他厌恶那些一输掉比赛甚至刚赢下比赛就喋喋不休抱怨备战营伤病以博取同情的行为，无论输赢，一个真正的战士都绝不找借口。 ### [09:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=594s) 场外盘剥与心理战陷阱：重罚百万与更衣室闹剧 面对主持人的持续追问，克里斯揭示了赛事幕后由对手阵营布下的重重险恶阻碍。除了与父亲僵持的巨大精神折磨外，对方团队在合同条款与比赛规则上处处设局下绊，实施了全方位的盘剥与心理消耗战： - **体重超标严惩**：在严酷的称重与严苛的补水限制之下，克里斯仅因超重 0.5 磅，就被处以高达 100 万美元的巨额罚款。 - **违规拳套争议**：对手阵营在比赛前夕试图违背原定合同，强行推行使用未达成一致的特定拳套款式。 - **更衣室突袭挑衅**：在赛前紧张缠手带的黄金准备阶段，对方派人强行冲进克里斯的更衣室检查手部包裹，试图以此惹怒其教练团队并扰乱赛前心神。 克里斯将这些盘外招形容为对方精心布置的一个个连环陷阱，目的就是让他偏离正轨、在暴怒中失去冷静。而他所展现的真正“战士素养”，正是洞察每一个陷阱并冷静绕行，将全部注意力聚焦于眼前的战斗。了解敌人、识破狡诈的盘外伎俩并筑起坚不可摧的心理防线，让任何干扰都无法撼动登台当晚的执行力，这也是一名顶级拳手不可或缺的生存法则。 ### [11:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=706s) 四面楚歌：来自对手与至亲的重压 在迎来职业生涯最重要的大战前夕，小克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）不仅要承受来自对手阵营的枪林弹雨——包括对手康纳·本（Conor Benn）、竞技室推广公司（Matchroom）、埃迪·赫恩（Eddie Hearn）以及老对手之父奈杰尔·本（Nigel Benn）——更令他备受煎熬的，是来自家庭内部的重击。就在大赛打响的几天前，他的亲生父亲老克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Sr.）公开发表言论，痛斥他是一个“耻辱”（disgrace）。在极度的身心高压下听到亲生父亲这番言论，尤班克内心几近绝望，困惑于事态究竟还能变得多么糟糕。 在大赛前夕的夜晚，尤班克收到了父亲发来的一条短信，上面写着：“看到后给我回电话。”看到这条消息的瞬间，尤班克第一反应是不想理会。过去六到八周里，父亲带给他的只有无休止的负能量：在媒体上宣称比赛绝不应该发生、减重机制不合理、怒斥扔鸡蛋事件是闹剧、甚至发誓绝不会出现在儿子的拳击台边。尤班克当时心想，距离大战仅剩不到一天，他最不需要的就是在大半夜听父亲继续唠叨让他放弃比赛。然而到了晚上九十点钟，他准备入睡前又改变了主意：这两个月什么风浪都挺过来了，父亲毕竟是父亲，就算再被泼冷水又能怎样？于是，他拨通了那个号码。 - 赛前外部敌对阵营：康纳·本、埃迪·赫恩、Matchroom 团队、奈杰尔·本。 - 父亲此前两月公开发难的关键词：“耻辱”、“马戏团一般的闹剧”、“绝不站台支持”。 - 赛前前夜短信内容：“看到后给我回电话”（Call me when you see this）。 --- ### [14:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=887s) 破冰之夜：一通颠覆预期的电话与酒店重逢 电话接通的瞬间，听筒里传来的语气让尤班克整个人愣住了。那是他多年未曾听闻的声调——轻快、喜悦，充满真切的温情。父亲在电话那头亲切地喊着：“嘿，最近怎么样，儿子？感觉如何？”尤班克甚至一度怀疑自己是不是在做梦，半开玩笑地反问对方究竟是不是真正的老克里斯·尤班克。紧接着，父亲说出了那句彻底扭转一切的话：“我知道你明天有场硬仗，儿子……我想陪在你身边，让我们一起面对。” 尤班克随即替父亲叫了一辆 Uber 接他来到自己下榻的酒店，并在酒店为他开了一间房。两人多年未曾联络，平时极为自尊刚强的父亲能主动发短信并登门，是尤班克做梦也没敢奢望的场景。父亲走进房间后平静地表示：“我一直都打算来，我始终都会为你站台。”尤班克内心感触万千：如果自己当时任由负面情绪作祟、选择直接睡过去，这场拳坛历史上注定载入史册的父子重聚便根本不会发生。经历过弟弟离世的锥心之痛、常年公众舆论的风暴以及家庭裂痕，两代人在此刻放下所有恩怨隔阂并肩作战，其意义已超越了一场纯粹的拳赛。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 父子关系破冰与重聚流程 accDescr: 展示尤班克在赛前前夜从收到冷淡短信到与父亲达成精神和解并携手进场的过程 subgraph Tension ["赛前隔阂与犹疑"] A["父亲长达数周公开抨击<br/>指责拳赛并宣称不出席"] --> B["赛前前夜收到短信：<br/>'看到后给我回电话'"] B --> C{"是否回电？<br/>担心遭遇更多负能量"} end subgraph Breakthrough ["深夜通话与会面"] C -->|九点多决定拨回| D["电话中父亲罕见展露温情：<br/>'我想陪在你身边'"] D --> E["叫车接父亲到酒店房间<br/>两代人正式面对面谈话"] end subgraph Impact ["情感蜕变与历史重现"] E --> F["打破'向儿子要钱'的顾虑：<br/>'我什么都不要'"] F --> G["出场通道见证万人落泪祝福<br/>父子并肩步入拳台"] end ``` --- ### [18:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1110s) 颠覆常态的出场：没有嘘声，只有全场的热泪 在过去的两年里，尤班克在脑海中无数次构想过自己走向拳台的画面：孤身一人走出通道，四周充斥着震耳欲聋的嘘声与咒骂，现场观众指着他大喊“你会被KO的”。在整个职业生涯中，他早习惯了将这种观众的敌意和“黑暗能量”（dark energy）当做战斗的燃料，带着满腔怒火走入拳击台去撕裂对手。 然而现实却出现了极度震撼的反转。当他从通道走出，父亲老克里斯·尤班克就坚定地跟在他身后。尤班克职业生涯第一次在通道里听不到任何嘘声。相反，两旁的观众席上，成年男子激动得热泪盈眶，满场皆是欣慰的微笑与真诚的祈福。尽管尤班克职业本能地维持着冰冷而专注于杀戮的面部表情，他的内心却掀起了滔天巨浪——他从未在拳击场见过这般场景，不是敌意，不是嘲弄，而是人们因见证这段破裂父子关系的弥合而喜极而泣。那一刻他明白，这场比赛注定将非同寻常。 --- ### [20:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1239s) “我什么都不要”：最纯粹的父爱回归 回到那间深夜的酒店房间，父子二人坐下后，老尤班克突然抛出了一个极度严肃的问题：“你觉得我想要从你这里得到什么？”这个问题让尤班克陷入了漫长的沉思，甚至一度感到恐慌。两人已经疏远决裂了数年之久，虽然尤班克深知父亲是一个极具尊严、原则极强、信奉上帝且无法被金钱收买的人，但他心底依然掠过一丝可怕的疑虑：难道父亲变了？难道他会在大战前夕向自己狮子大开口索要巨额报酬（比如一百万英镑）？ 尤班克坦言，如果父亲真的是为了出场费而来，那将彻底毁掉父亲在他心中的形象，也意味着两人的父子关系永远无法修复，因为金钱会彻底玷污那份亲情的纯洁。出于内心的不安与恐惧，尤班克不敢把“钱”字说出口，只能半开玩笑地试探：“你想要个拥抱吗？我抱你一下？”老尤班克看着他，郑重地回答道： > “不，我什么都不要。绝绝对对，一无所求。”（No, I want nothing. Absolutely nothing.） 听到这句话的刹那，尤班克整个人被无与伦比的释然与喜悦彻底淹没。那一刻他完全确认，父亲来到这里没有任何功利动机，单纯只是想做一个爱儿子的父亲。这种缺失了太久太久的父爱支持，在决战前夜注入了他的灵魂，成为他日后在拳台上战斗到最后一刻的最关键力量。 - 尤班克内心的最大恐惧：如果父亲开口要钱，父子感情将彻底万劫不复。 - 父亲的原话回应：“我什么都不要。绝对一无所求。” - 情感质变：金钱被彻底排除，唯有纯粹的亲情与精神救赎。 --- ### [24:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1456s) 超越肉体的精神战：终局的三百记出拳 父亲在关键时刻的归来，为尤班克在赛场上注入了至关重要的额外能量。许多观众和评论员后来提到，比赛打到第八回合时，尤班克由于赛前的严苛限重与极度脱水，双腿早已完全麻木脱力，看似已经濒临崩溃极限。然而，他却在最后两三个回合中疯狂倾泻了近300记重拳，上演了惊天逆转。 尤班克解释道，在那样的生理绝境下，较量早已超越了肉体与战术的范畴，升华成了一场“精神层面的涅槃”（spiritual battle）。他回忆起自己以往在训练中的偏执心态：独自一人在空无一人的健身房跑跑步机，即便中途脚部突发严重抽筋，但只要自己设定的目标是10英里，就绝不会按停机器，哪怕一瘸一拐拖着伤腿，也必须把既定里程跑完。正是这种深植骨髓、在无人注视下也绝不向痛苦妥协的野蛮意志，支撑着他在身体机能全面告急的情况下，将这场恶战硬生生扛了下来。 - 关键体能转折：第八回合双腿彻底失去知觉，身体严重脱水。 - 绝地反击表现：最后两个回合打出近300记出拳。 - 精神支撑隐喻：跑步机抽筋仍死磕到底完成10英里的“不退缩”信条。 ### [26:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1571s) 擂台上的终极拷问：退缩还是血战到底 在面对极度疲劳、肌肉抽筋、脱水、伤病以及眼角被撕开巨大伤口导致完全无法看清的绝境时，克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）始终在心中告诫自己必须坚持下去。他深知在职业拳击生涯中总会遇到这样的时刻：当身体被彻底掏空、内心闪过放弃的念头时，坐在第九回合或第十回合的拳台板凳上，拳手必须直面自己灵魂深处的拷问——"我该放弃吗？我该单膝跪地认输吗？我该逃避吗？" 尤班克的回答是毫无保留地奔向战争："不，我们要去打仗。我们要把所有的一切都留在拳台上，因为这场比赛将被永远铭记。" 决定一个人一生的，恰恰是在最后几个回合里的抉择：是勇往直前压上一切，还是转身退缩。尤班克绝不容许自己在往后的几十年里带着未尽全力的遗憾生活。无论伤口有多深、处境有多艰难，他唯一的念头就是赢下比赛。更重要的是，他的父亲克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Sr.）就坐在台下看着。多年来父亲一直声称儿子做不到这些，因此他必须向父亲、向全世界，更向自己证明：他有能力承受这个地球上 99.999% 的普通人都无法忍受的苦难，而这份意志将获得永恒。 比赛结束一周后，尤班克在回看这一切时感慨万千。他直言没有任何金钱可以买到他此刻内心的自豪感。这种在六十年后躺在临终床上依然能骄傲地说出"是的，我做到了"的底气，无法靠金钱或名气获取，它完全源于经年累月不抄近道、不作弊、不欺凌弱小的辛勤苦练与自我坚守。 ### [29:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1745s) 决裂的导火索：一封写给父亲的信 长期以来，尤班克在公众面前一直展现出冷峻、近乎没有情感波动的硬汉形象，但他从未掩饰父亲是自己一生最大的榜样。面对主持人关于父子关系为何走向破裂的提问，尤班克坦言，老尤班克是一个极度骄傲且极其强势的人，拥有自己一套不可动摇的生活方式、思维模式与教育理念，信奉"顺我者昌，逆我者亡"（his way or the highway）。 尤班克从小便活在父亲巨大的人格光环和沉重的家族期望之下。长久以来，他走到哪里都被仅仅视作"老尤班克的儿子"，这让他开始反思：该如何走出阴影，成为真正的自己，而不是传奇的附庸？他意识到，唯一的出路就是在拳击事业上与父亲完成切割。这并非指断绝父子亲情，而是在职业决策、日常训练、比赛安排及媒体发布会等环节脱离父亲的全权掌控。为了打破僵局，尤班克选择给父亲写了一封长信，而不是当面交谈。他解释道，如果当面交流，一旦观点出现分歧，父亲会立刻打断并强加自己的意志；唯有书信，才能让父亲不受打扰地一遍又一遍反复阅读，完全消化他的真实想法。 在这封信中，尤班克写下了让老尤班克彻底崩溃的一句话："我才是老板（I am the boss）。" 老尤班克在儿子的整个人生中一直扮演着绝对掌控者的角色，掌管着赛事敲定、财务运作和商业合同。突如其来的失权让他无法承受，失望与挫败感直接转化成了极端的抗拒："既然你不需要我参与你的职业生涯，那就算了，再见。" 父子关系就此降至冰点。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 父子关系演变脉络 accDescr: 展示克里斯·尤班克与父亲从深度绑定到决裂，再到和解的完整过程。 subgraph 掌控期 A["老尤班克全权掌控<br/>训练、合同、商业与媒体"] --> B["尤班克背负巨大阴影<br/>仅被视作'传奇之子'"] end subgraph 破裂期 B --> C["写信宣告独立：<br/>'我才是老板'"] C --> D["老尤班克失权受挫<br/>选择全面退缩与疏离"] D --> E["弟弟塞巴斯蒂安意外离世<br/>父亲精神受创吸食大麻，裂痕加剧"] end subgraph 重建期 E --> F["对决康纳·本之战<br/>父亲赛前促膝长谈并现场观赛"] F --> G["赛后医院陪护<br/>父亲睡走廊担架守护两日，关系破冰"] end ``` ### [33:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2036s) 丧弟之痛与医院走廊上的守护 在发出那封决裂信大约一两年后，家庭遭遇了毁灭性的打击——尤班克的弟弟塞巴斯蒂安（Sebastian Eubank）不幸离世。这让本就因父子矛盾而心力交瘁的老尤班克遭受了重创。尤班克透露，若非媒体已经公开报道，他绝不会轻易谈及这些隐私：为了排解失去儿子的巨大痛苦，老尤班克开始吸食大麻（marijuana）。这种生活方式的剧变彻底改变了老尤班克的精神状态与心智，导致父子之间的鸿沟进一步扩大，直到这场与康纳·本（Conor Benn）的大战前夕都未能弥合。 然而，这场比赛成为了两人关系的转折点。从大战前夜那次促膝长谈开始，两人重归于好。比赛结束后，尤班克因伤在医院住院治疗了两天，而老尤班克整整两天寸步不离。由于病房空间有限，老尤班克甚至直接睡在病房外走廊的担架床上守护着儿子。这一举动深深触动了尤班克："不管我们之间有过多少分歧、说过什么伤人的话，一个愿意这样守在儿子身边的男人，那就是爱。" 尤班克感慨人一生只有一个父亲，这场比赛没有摧毁他们，反而成为了重建关系的催化剂，未来的父子纽带只会更加牢固。 ### [37:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2232s) 公开舆论的伤害与痛苦的真谛 在赛前的漫长周期中，老尤班克在媒体面前的一系列举动对尤班克的心理健康造成了不小的冲击。老尤班克多次公开宣称这场比赛不该发生，甚至当着拳击记者的面痛哭流涕，称自己的儿子是"家族的耻辱"（a disgrace）。这些带有强烈负面色彩的家庭纠纷被推上了 TikTok 和 Instagram，成为各大媒体的头条新闻，吸引了数以百万计的看客。尤班克直言，关起门来处理家庭矛盾是一回事，但将极度私密的伤口暴露在全世界的注视之下，确实带来了极大的心理干扰和痛苦。 这种长期压抑的情绪，最终在赛前最后一场新闻发布会上爆发。当时对手康纳·本还在拿严苛的减重标准嘲讽尤班克，让他担心自己的减重问题。当时极度虚弱、正承受剧烈身体折磨的尤班克忍无可忍，在台上公开剖白了自己对"痛苦"的定义： > "减重确实痛苦，我今晚会更痛苦，明天早上要减掉最后几磅时还会更痛苦。但我问自己：什么是痛苦？我有一个 31 岁的弟弟长眠在迪拜的沙漠里，那叫痛苦。他三岁的儿子拉希姆（Raheem）问为什么看不到爸爸、为什么爸爸不能送他上学，那叫痛苦。我自己的父亲——我崇拜了一辈子的男人——已经好几年不跟我说话，还认为我是个耻辱。对我来说，这些才是真正的痛苦。" 尤班克表示，自己从来不是一个容易情绪化的人，在拳击界尤其以冷酷著称，但在那一瞬间，面对无休止的挑衅与严苛的脱水复水限制，压抑在心底的亲情创伤终于倾泻而出。 ### [39:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2380s) 身体的折磨与永久的伤痛：脆弱感引发的公众共鸣 谈及赛前严苛减重和条款限制所带来的煎熬，克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）直言，肉体脱水与饥饿的痛苦固然剧烈，但与他现实生活中正在承受的心灵创伤相比根本不值一提。那些生理上的极端饥渴不过是“一瞬间的不适”，真正刻骨铭心的是那些将永远伴随一生的剧痛：弟弟的骤然离世；幼小的侄子拉希姆（Raheem）完全无法理解父亲为何永远离开了，天真地追问“为什么别的小朋友都是爸爸送去学校，我的爸爸不能送我？你说他在办公室，办公室在哪？我们现在就去办公室找爸爸”；以及自己的亲生父亲公开斥责自己是个“家族耻辱”。在面临如此重大的大战前夕，这些家庭撕裂的剧痛始终在心头翻涌。因此，当对手康纳·本（Conor Benn）在赛前不断出言讥讽、让他“担心担心怎么达标体重”时，尤班克内心毫无波澜：“伙计，别操心我的体重，体重自然会降下来，我生活里有比这糟糕得多的难题要扛。” 这也是公众第一次在聚光灯下看到这位平日里强硬冷酷的拳手暴露出内心如此脆弱的一面。尤班克意识到，数以亿计的普通人每天都在各自的生活深渊中苦苦挣扎，面对亲情破裂或生离死别。当人们看到一个在擂台上体格强健、无所畏惧的硬汉，同样在经历这些普通人共有的痛苦与破碎时，那种震撼与共鸣是无与伦比的。正因如此，当决战当晚父亲克里斯·尤班克老爵士（Chris Eubank Sr.）最终打破决裂、现身赛场陪伴在他身旁时，许多现场观众甚至热泪盈眶。这场世纪大和解深深触动了外界，赛后无数观众私信尤班克，表示自己在看完比赛后立刻给多年未曾联系、形同陌路的父亲拨通了和解电话。 - 肉体饥渴仅是暂时的生理反应，而失去至亲、面对侄子天真追问生父去向、被父亲公开抨击才是永恒的心灵痛楚。 - 展现人性脆弱并非软弱，反而在拳迷与大众心中引发巨大震动，促成了许多家庭在赛后打破坚冰重归于好。 --- ### [42:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2534s) 战袍上的弟弟与侄子拉希姆带来的精神救赎 当主持人史蒂文·巴特利特（Steven Bartlett）问及在走入赛场及战斗过程中脑海中是否一直想着早逝的弟弟塞巴斯蒂安（Sebastian）时，尤班克给出了极为肯定的答复。他指着自己的战袍回忆道，短裤的侧面印着一张弟弟生前放声怒吼的照片，底部则绣着弟弟的名字“塞巴斯蒂安”。在步入拳台前套上短裤的瞬间，看着那张充满力量的面容，尤班克将那股悲痛化为了炽烈的战斗意志：“我必须利用这股力量。这场战斗是为你打的，是为拉希姆打的，是为尤班克家族打的。我看着照片上的他，我就绝不可能输，输掉是绝对不可能的。” ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 尤班克从失去弟弟到获得救赎的心理转变 accDescr: 展示塞巴斯蒂安离世、侄子拉希姆带来精神寄托，最终在赛场战袍上凝聚为不可动摇的求胜信念。 subgraph FamilyTies ["家族情感纽带"] A["弟弟塞巴斯蒂安骤逝"] --> B["抚养遗孤：侄子拉希姆"] B --> C["人生价值观颠覆：从享乐主义转向长辈责任"] end subgraph RingMindset ["擂台意志凝聚"] C --> D["短裤印刻弟弟怒吼肖像与姓名"] D --> E["'看着他的照片，我绝不可能输'"] end ``` 在这场家庭悲剧后，侄子拉希姆的出现彻底颠覆了尤班克的生活哲学与情感世界。在拉希姆走进他的生活之前，尤班克自认从未有过成为父亲的渴望，他总是沉溺于自己的拳击事业、名利追逐以及个人生活琐事中。曾经的他以为“快乐”的顶峰不过是在高额扑克赌桌上赢下一把大注、赢下一场职业硬仗或是飞去世界各地享受奢华度假。但抚养拉希姆的过程让他感受到了从未体验过的温暖与爱意。陪伴侄子认字、学习新的表达、带他看世界并见证他的成长，带来了完全不同层维度的深层幸福感。尤班克坦言，自己如今在法律和情感上已将拉希姆视作亲生儿子，而这种陪伴也彻底唤醒了他骨子里的父爱本能，让他由衷渴望在未来拥有自己的亲生骨肉。 - 战袍细节：短裤侧面印有弟弟塞巴斯蒂安呐喊的全身肖像，底部刺绣弟弟的名字，作为每场生死大战的核心动力。 - 快乐定义的质变：从以往的扑克牌局大胜、擂台胜利与奢靡旅行，升级为陪伴一个鲜活生命认识世界、牙牙学语的人间至情。 --- ### [44:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2686s) 塞巴斯蒂安溺亡真相：健康狂人的陨落与生命觉醒 谈及弟弟塞巴斯蒂安去世的公众真相，尤班克平静而沉重地回忆了那场令人难以置信的意外。塞巴斯蒂安是在迪拜的海水中溺亡的。法医与现场情况显示，他当时在海里游泳，心脏突然出现类似急性心律失常或心脏骤停的瞬间病变。就是那短短一秒钟的生理“断电”，由于身处深海，他在意识丧失的刹那沉入水下，最终酿成了不可挽回的悲剧。这起猝死对于整个家族的冲击是毁灭性的，因为塞巴斯蒂安生前是一个近乎狂热的健康践行者——他满身健硕的肌肉，每天自制绿色健康果蔬汁，甚至连朋友圈内人给他的绰号都是“碱性人（Alkaline）”。这样一个极端自律、身体素质顶尖的年轻人在一瞬间消逝，给尤班克敲响了震耳欲聋的警钟。 这起悲剧彻底击碎了尤班克以往对生命的轻慢态度，让他深刻领悟到生命的脆弱与无常。生命不需要遇到惨烈的车祸才会结束，一次看似平常的海中畅游就可能让人永远消失。在此之前，尤班克常常会放纵自己度过整天甚至整周的荒废时光：沉迷于电子游戏、整日无所事事地看电视、和对自己毫无益处的不良圈子厮混。虽然人不可能每天都活得完美无瑕，但弟弟的死逼迫他直视时间的有限性，去思考如何用有限的生命做真正有意义的事。他感叹，世界上有数十亿人每天必须清晨起床打满十二个小时的苦工才能勉强果腹，永远不知道真正的“自由”是什么；而自己拥有自由支配的时间、休闲生活和可支配收入，就必须带着敬畏、责任感和深深的感激去生活，绝不能再虚度光阴。 - 死亡真相：在迪拜海域游泳时突发急性心脏异常导致意识短暂中断，在海水中瞬间下沉溺亡。 - 绰号“Alkaline”（碱性人）：形容弟弟生前对饮食健康与健身的极度偏执，凸显生命在疾病与意外面前的脆弱无常。 - 人生观转折：彻底终结玩物丧志的荒废岁月（打游戏、看电视、无效社交），确立了对生命的敬畏感与自律责任。 --- ### [48:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2918s) 严苛的补水限制：脱水地狱与身体状态的真实拷问 史蒂文再次追问尤班克在比赛当晚的真实身体状态。因为在原定比赛因故推迟前，尤班克曾扬言自己即便只发挥“60%的状态”也能轻松击溃康纳·本；但真正比赛打响的前几个回合，场边的史蒂文分明看到尤班克的动作滞涩、力量与速度大不如前，完全失去了往昔比赛中的凌厉与敏捷。面对主持人的质疑，尤班克首次正面承认，除了赛营外部家庭剧变带来的心理重压外，自己的身体在生理层面遭受了毁灭性的限制——合同中附带了极其严苛的“补水限制条款（Rehydration Restriction）”。 | 状态阶段 | 体重标准 / 实际数据 | 限制规则与后果 | |:--- |:--- |:--- | | **日常非赛季体重** | 约 180 ~ 185 磅 | 远离训练营时的自然常态体重 | | **正赛称重上限（中量级）** | 160 磅（实际超标 0.05 磅） | 需在赛前极端脱水减重约 25 磅；因超重 0.05 磅遭赛事方巨额罚款 | | **次日开赛前补水限制** | 不得超过 170 磅（增重上限 10 磅） | 严禁赛后无节制补充流质与碳水，若超标 10 磅将面临 100 万美元天价罚金 | 尤班克明确表示自己绝不寻找借口，合同是自己签下的，后果由自己全权承担。通常的职业拳赛在完成称重后，拳手有长达一天的时间尽情进食和补充水分，尤班克以往在称重后至少会自然回补 14 到 15 磅以恢复巅峰体能。然而对方团队却强制要求增加限制：称重必须达到 160 磅的中量级上限，且在第二天比赛开打前，体重增加绝对不得超过 10 磅；一旦跨过这个红线，就将面临高达一百万美元的巨额罚金。对于非赛季体重大约在 180 至 185 磅之间的尤班克而言，随着年龄增大、新陈代谢放缓，减掉最后 25 磅纯粹是一场肉体酷刑。为了排干体液，他穿着特制发汗服，被紧紧裹在高温加热毯里长达数十分钟，近乎疯狂地压榨身体里最后一滴水分。更为惨烈的是，在初次过磅时，他仅因超标了微不足道的 0.05 磅（零点零五磅）便被依规重罚；而在次日，尽管他死守住了未超 10 磅的补水红线，但无法彻底补充能量与水分的身体早已被深度掏空，直接导致了开局阶段的身体机能迟滞。 - 极端减重流程：从 185 磅日常体重减至 160 磅中量级红线，依靠发汗服与电热毯包裹进行近乎自残式的脱水。 - 补水限制细则：次日比赛前体重回弹上限锁定在 10 磅以内（不得超过 170 磅），违者处以 1,000,000 美元罚款。 - 称重意外波折：初次称重时仅超标 0.05 磅（0.05 lbs）即遭遇严厉扣款惩罚，身心承受双重压榨。 ### [52:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3124s) 严苛的补水限制与背后的巨额酬金 在职业拳击称重之后，如果不能正常摄入食物和水分，选手的赛场表现必然会按百分比大打折扣。克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）回顾了比赛前夕极其苛刻的体重条款：称重当天他被要求严格压在 160 磅，而随后的补水限制条款（Rehydration restriction clause）规定，在次日上午 8 点到中午 12 点之间必须再次称重，且过夜增重绝对不能超过 10 磅。当天中午 12 点，尤班克的复秤体重为 169.4 磅。这意味着他在称重后既不能放开大口喝水，也无法随心所欲地进食。 事实上，这种条款原本完全不该存在。当被问及如果当初断然拒绝该条款比赛是否仍会进行时，尤班克明确表示比赛依然会上演。但他之所以选择妥协，完全是因为对方开出了无法拒绝的巨额报酬。他对击败康纳·本（Conor Benn）拥有极强的自信心，心里想着：“既然你们非要加这个体重限制条款，那我可以成全你们，但你们必须把真金白银摆在桌面上，我绝不会白白退让。”最终，这场比赛为他带来了高达八位数（千万美元级）的酬劳。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 补水条款与薪酬博弈逻辑 accDescr: 展示尤班克如何在严苛补水条款与巨额出场费之间做出权衡决策 A["协议称重：160 磅"] --> B["次日复秤限制：不得增重超过 10 磅（实际 169.4 磅）"] B --> C{"是否接受严苛补水条款？"} C -->|"自信能战胜康纳·本"| D["开出八位数天价报酬"] D --> E["沙特主办方毫不犹豫一口答应（Yalla）"] E --> F["换来巨额经济回报，但赛前身体严重脱水"] ``` ### [53:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3199s) 与沙特主办方的谈判及职业拳手的职业操守 尤班克透露，自己在谈判中开出了心理价位，而沙特娱乐总局主席图尔基·阿尔·谢赫阁下（Turki Alalshikh）竟然在听到第一个数字时就一口答应了下来。主持人打趣尤班克“搞砸了谈判”，原本应该把要价翻倍再折中砍价。尤班克也笑着感叹自己当时可能低估了对方的财力，或许还能顺带要几辆豪车。但他解释道，普通人在与常规推广人或转播机构谈判时，往往遵循漫天要价、就地还钱的套路，但沙特人拥有非同寻常的财富体量，普通人眼里的天文数字，在他们眼里不过是随口一句“行，走起”（Yalla）的琐碎小事。 尽管拿到了足以彻底改变人生的巨款，尤班克强调自己绝不贪婪，并且正是这笔巨资让他产生了一种强烈的责任感。他认为拳手肩负着对拳击运动、观众和拳迷的义务：“你赚了如此巨额的财富，就绝不能在拳台上交出一份敷衍塞责、半吊子的表现，那是对大众和这项运动的极大不敬。” - 拳手合同构成：保底出场费（Purse）加上按次付费点播（PPV）的分成阶梯（例如达到 50 万、60 万购买量后的百分比抽成），或者直接买断全部点播收益打包为固定巨额总包。 - 尤班克以往比赛的单场收入多为几百万英镑（七位数），本场比赛酬金直接翻了至少五倍以上。 - 35 岁的尤班克直言，仅凭这场比赛的收入，他下半辈子已经完全不需要再打拳了。 ### [56:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3389s) 财富陷阱与弗洛伊德·梅威瑟的自律典范 历史上有太多拳手在赚到第一笔大钱后就彻底丧失了进取心，他们沉溺于夜店派对、开香槟狂欢、购买豪车名表和豪宅，训练时推三阻四：“今天先不练了，明天再说吧。”尤班克表示自己非常崇拜弗洛伊德·梅威瑟（Floyd Mayweather），因为梅威瑟赚取了令人咂舌的财富，却从未丢失哪怕一丁点的自律与严苛训练，其赛场状态始终如一。许多拳手赚到人生第一个一百万就彻底迷失了自我，而尤班克在 35 岁时依然对荣誉、成功和回报观众保持着近乎饥饿的渴望。 尤班克深知拳击不是一两次训练营或单单一两场比赛，而是一生的奉献与牺牲。从 14 岁起，他就在拳馆摸爬滚打，经历过无数残酷考验。因此，无论赛前遭遇怎样的体重脱水限制，亦或是与父亲之间爆发激烈冲突，他都告诉自己绝不能退缩。多年来克服伤痛、抽筋与长跑极限所积累的耐受力，让他在面对炼狱般的逆境时依然能挺直脊梁。 ### [59:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3584s) 眼神迷离下的“堑壕战”：放弃技术，血拼到底 比赛后半段，尤班克在体能几近耗尽的情况下依然如附魔般机械挥拳、步步紧逼。他回忆大约在第七或第八回合回到拳角时，教练团队急切地对他喊道：“克里斯，打刺拳！站稳打刺拳，用你的步法控制距离！”尤班克看着教练，冷冷地回了一句：“太迟了。我很抱歉，接下来要发生的事一定会发生，你们看着就好。”这让角落里的团队成员面面相觑。 尤班克解释道，由于一次头部撞击，他的眼眶上方被撞开了一道巨大的口子，鲜血不断涌入眼睛，导致视线严重受阻。在拳击比赛中，这种伤口随时可能导致医务监督直接终止比赛判负。那一刻，他彻底进入了“战争模式”： > “当那道伤口裂开的瞬间，我就清楚一切都结束了——不再有花哨的拳击技术，不再有试探性刺拳，不再有讲究的战术防守。现在是拼命的时刻了，宝贝！我们要看看这个年轻人到底有多想赢，因为我想赢。既然不知道他有多硬，那就碰一碰，让我们当场见分晓！” 他放弃了一切躲闪与优雅的打法，硬生生顶着对手的重拳向前碾压。这不是一场漂亮的拳击比赛，而是一场赤裸裸的“堑壕肉搏战”。 ### [01:01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3713s) 赛后送医急救与身体极限脱水的折磨 走下拳台后，尤班克的整张脸严重肿胀，这甚至主要不是来自对手拳头的打击，而是源自极度脱水引起的组织水肿。在极度缺乏水分的情况下，人体皮肤与毛细血管变得脆弱异常，面部组织会诡异地向外鼓起。赛后他被紧急送往医院急诊抢救，承受了极大的生理折磨： - 全身静脉输液：医生立即为他接入多根静脉输液管（IV drips），全力补充体液。 - 顽固性尿潴留：身体极度脱水触发了自保机制，体内死死锁住每一滴水分。尽管尤班克的膀胱胀痛难忍、急需排尿，但他在马桶前苦苦站立了两个小时，身体却完全无法排出哪怕一滴尿液。 - 精神低谷与病房一幕：躺在病床上吸着氧气面罩的尤班克，从镜子里看到了自己浮肿不堪的面孔和眼部那道触目惊心的巨大裂口。由于强烈的剧痛和头痛，加之身旁家人的抽泣担忧，他感到一阵自怨自艾，迫切地向医护人员乞求注射吗啡止痛。然而由于医院用药签署程序繁琐，他只能在隔着薄帘子的简陋急诊病床上苦苦等待。 ### [01:04:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3845s) 医院急诊室的生死一幕：顿悟与感恩 克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）回忆起赛后被送往医院时的震撼经历。当时他躺在病房里，突然听到隔壁房间的医生焦急地大喊：“我们必须立刻给他做手术，否则他就会死！”那一刻让尤班克心头巨震。他原本还在为自己的头痛和眼角撕裂伤感到难受与委屈，但听到隔壁病人生死悬于一线的呼喊，他瞬间感到无比幸运与被眷顾：“天哪，我其实很好，我太受眷顾了。隔壁有个人快要死了，我凭什么在这里自怨自艾，抱怨头痛和眼皮裂口呢？” 看着医护人员匆忙将那位垂危的病人推走，尤班克默默在心中为对方祈祷。这一幕彻底改变了他的视角，将他从赛后的痛苦与疲惫中拉了回来。他意识到相比真正的生死危机，自己的伤痛微不足道，整个人充满了感恩与庆幸。 ### [01:06:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3960s) 赛后拒绝握手：对药检阳性者的零容忍 比赛结束后，尤班克与康纳·本（Conor Benn）激战12回合。尤班克承认，康纳在拳台上的表现确实超出了他的预期。他原本以为打到第五或第六回合时，康纳就会因体力不支而露出颓势甚至主动放弃，但康纳展现出了惊人的斗志、心脏和求胜欲，硬生生撑满了全场。单就这一点，尤班克在竞技层面对他产生了一丝敬意。 然而，比赛钟声敲响后，尤班克做出了极其决绝的举动——他拒绝与康纳握手、拥抱或表示祝贺，甚至一句话都没和他说。在拳击界，经历了如此惨烈的血战后，对手之间互致敬意是惯例，但尤班克直言自己“内心完全做不到”： - 尤班克坚信对方骨子里仍是一个“嗑药的作弊者”（drugs cheat），在当年的原定对决中就企图用违禁药物作弊。 - 康纳曾先后两次药检呈阳性，却从未公开认错或道歉，反而一味否认、百般推诿，毫无男子气概和担当。 - 尤班克强调自己必须给所有关注比赛的青少年树立榜样：“如果你服用了违禁药物作弊，你休想从我这里得到哪怕一丁点尊重。”绝不能让年轻孩子产生“哪怕嗑药被抓，过几年事情过去后大家又当什么都没发生”的错误认知。 ### [01:08:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4106s) 药检风波真相：是“谋杀未遂”而非炒作 主持人史蒂文·巴特利特（Steven Bartlett）梳理了康纳·本的禁药事件脉络：2022年下半年，康纳两次在自愿反兴奋剂检测中被查出含有促睾排卵药物氯米芬（Clomiphene），导致原定大战被取消并遭到英国反兴奋剂机构停赛；随后其团队曾以“食用受污染的鸡蛋”为由抗辩，历经反复上诉与复赛，最终在2024年11月由相关仲裁小组判定无法证实其系“故意服用”才得以重返赛场。面对主持人的提问——“赛前的鸡蛋巴掌和反复挑衅是否只是为了宣传票房的噱头”，尤班克严正表示，说自己对此“介意”都算是极度轻描淡写了。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 康纳·本兴奋剂风波演变流程 accDescr: 展示从2022年药检失败到2024年复赛以及尤班克对此态度的全过程 subgraph DopingIncident["药检风暴与复赛"] A["2022年自愿检测两次呈氯米芬阳性"] --> B["比赛紧急取消并被禁赛"] B --> C["团队辩称‘鸡蛋污染’，经历多轮禁赛与上诉"] C --> D["2024年11月仲裁裁定‘无法证明故意’，恢复拳击资格"] end subgraph EubankStance["尤班克的立场"] D --> E["在拳击中服药等同于‘谋杀未遂’"] E --> F["即便属于疏忽，导致两次药检阳性依然是作弊"] F --> G["拒绝和解与握手，必须承担责任"] end ``` 尤班克解释道，拳击是一项极其残酷危险的运动，如果一名拳手体内含有能让自己抗击打更强、出拳更重、反应更快的违禁物质，带着这种“额外的武器”走上擂台，本质上就是一种“谋杀未遂”。针对主持人提到康纳事发后曾痛哭流涕甚至产生自杀倾向、看起来像是无辜者的反应，尤班克毫不客气地反驳：人在做错事被当场抓包后同样会感到绝望崩溃，这种情绪反应根本无法证明清白。作为职业运动员，职责非常纯粹——艰苦训练、规律作息、把控饮食，对自己摄入身体的每一种食物、液体或药物负有绝对责任。即便真有“被下药”或“鸡蛋污染”这种荒唐的借口，能不负责任到两次药检均告失败，其性质依然是不折不扣的作弊。 ### [01:12:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4377s) 价值10万英镑的“鸡蛋巴掌”与二番战商业逻辑 谈到赛前发布会上震惊拳坛的那一记“鸡蛋巴掌”——尤班克为此被处以整整10万英镑的巨额罚款，尤班克毫无悔意，甚至笑称“每一分钱都花得值”。他阐述了这一举动的深意： - 这绝非单纯的暴力行为，而是一次象征性的正义清算。许多拳手药检违规后，禁赛一段时间、交点罚款，复出后公众往往就淡忘了这桩丑闻。 - 尤班克用带着鸡蛋的手掌狠狠抽在康纳脸上，就是要用传遍全世界的镜头画面，将这个与“受污染鸡蛋”借口绑定的耻辱印记永远烙在康纳的职业生涯中，让他余生都无法摆脱作弊的污名。 随后两人聊到了二番战的合同条款。尤班克证实双方合同中确实包含二番战重赛条款。主持人好奇二番战的酬金是否与首战相同，尤班克给出了明确的商业法则解答：重赛的报酬会大幅上涨，因为第一场比赛的激烈场面让热度空前，二番战将吸引更多门票销量和按次付费（PPV）观众。同时，尤班克强调了拳击行业“成王败寇”的残酷现实：拳击界向来是“你的身价取决于你上一场比赛的胜负”。如果他在第一场输了，不仅下一场要少赚数百万英镑，话语权也会荡然无存；而正因为他赢了，他才能在接下来的谈判中索取远超从前的高额酬劳。 ### [01:15:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4526s) 重赛条款与起初的轻敌心态 当史蒂文询问如果现在有人单方面放弃二番战是否会面临违约金或惩罚时，小尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）坦言自己并不清楚具体细节，但违约很可能会遭到起诉，这些细则都交由律师团队处理。回忆起最初签署含有重赛条款的合同时，他的内心其实充满了不屑：“你们竟然还想签重赛条款？等我把这小子狠狠收拾一顿之后，根本不会有人想看什么二番战！”在他原本的预想中，合同要求对方必须提供重赛机会并支付保底酬金是一笔天赐的划算买卖——因为他本以为自己能干净利落地将康纳·本（Conor Benn）轰出拳台，届时哪怕拳迷对二番战毫无兴趣，他依然能凭借白纸黑字的条款拿到巨额出场费。 史蒂文随即单刀直入地追问：即便在赛前一天身体遭遇严重不适与挣扎时，他依然如此坚信自己能轻松摧垮对手吗？小尤班克回答，那正是他对康纳当时心智状态的极度轻视，“我并不是轻视他的技术能力，我知道他有技术，但我根本不看好他的意志力”。而当史蒂文进一步试探，询问当时身边是否有人因健康状况劝他退赛时，小尤班克立刻敏锐地划清界限，拒绝掉入话术陷阱：“我从未亲口说过我有什么‘健康状况’。这是你听完我前面的话后自己得出的结论，我对此既不证实也不否认，我也不会回答这个问题。” ### [01:17:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4636s) 沙特入局与二番战的必然性 谈及二番战是否会在年内打响，小尤班克表示从合同条约来看确实板上钉钉。坊间盛传沙特全权娱乐总局主席图尔基·阿尔谢赫（Turki Alalshikh）甚至已经为这场复赛预订了9月份的比赛场馆。小尤班克虽然觉得场馆可能尚未正式锁定，但他深谙沙特资本雷厉风行、不达目的决不罢休的作风：“沙特人只要想办成一件事，就没有任何人能阻挡他们。”因此这场宿命对决在今年再次上演的可能性极高。 小尤班克强调，自己打二番战的初衷完全取决于拳迷的呼声：“拳迷想看什么，我就奉献什么，我有什么资格说不呢？”更让他深受触动的是这场比赛在年轻一代中掀起的波澜。赛后，许多朋友纷纷给他发来信息，惊喜地告诉他：“我今天第一次带儿子去了拳击馆！”还有朋友发来孩子们在沙袋前挥汗如雨的照片，那些原本天天踢足球、对拳击毫无兴趣的孩子，如今因为这场血战而渴望戴上拳套走进拳馆，这种激励人心的社会反响让他感到无比自豪。 ### [01:18:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4711s) “只要打过一次就摸透你”：二番战的信心来源 当被问及若在父亲老尤班克（Chris Eubank Sr.）的辅佐下重新备战，他在二番战中还能提升多少百分比时，小尤班克展现出了顶级职业拳手的绝对自信。他认为，与康纳真刀真枪拼满了整整12个回合后，自己已经彻底吃透了对手的一切底牌，因此下一场比赛对自己来说将会“轻松得多”。他的拳击哲学始终建立在一种强大的现场学习与反制能力之上：只要经历过一次，他就懂得该如何彻底拆解对手。 为了佐证这种特质，他分享了自己拳击生涯早期的一段真实经历： - **初入拳馆的屈辱**：他人生第一次走进拳击馆实战时，被一名老手按在擂台上连续暴揍了整整三个回合。 - **两个月的卧薪尝胆**：尽管惨败，但在这三回合里他牢牢摸清了对方的力量极限、出拳速度以及打法套路。他在随后的两个月里疯狂苦练，满脑子都是复仇。 - **复仇兑现**：两个月后他重返拳馆与同一人交手，局势彻底逆转，将对手打得落花流水。 - **复赛经验的碾压**：小尤班克指出，自己曾与利亚姆·史密斯（Liam Smith）交手，在首战意外落败后，二番战以雷霆手段将对方彻底打爆。他拥有在二番战中精准针对对手弱点调整策略的丰富经验，而康纳·本在这方面完全是空白。 ### [01:20:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4846s) 走眼的预判：康纳·本骨子里的“斗犬”血性 在复盘首场对决时，小尤班克毫不避讳地承认自己赛前严重看走眼了。康纳·本在比赛中展现出的速度、力量和抗击打能力均大幅超出了他的预期，但最令他感到震撼的，是康纳那种哪怕拼尽一切也绝不退缩的精神意志。他原以为康纳是个顺风顺水时耀武扬威、一旦局势不利就会四处寻找借口弃赛退缩的软骨头，但现实狠狠推翻了他的偏见。 在整整12个回合的高压鏖战中，比赛演变成了两头恶犬之间的极限撕咬。小尤班克坦诚，当晚擂台上的两人都不得不彻底逼出内心最凶残、最嗜血的“斗犬”（Dog）本能才能撑到最后：“最让我震惊的是，我真没想到他骨子里居然也有这股恶犬般的血性。他绝不是那种形势不妙就想找台阶下的人，他是个货真价实的硬茬。” ### [01:21:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4901s) 拳手特有的“病态”渴望：向着痛苦狂奔 史蒂文对拳手的心理机制提出了深刻的困惑：小尤班克的银行账户里已经躺着八位数的巨额财富，完全可以买下一艘豪华游艇过上悠闲优渥的退休生活，为何还要执意重返擂台？再去面对一头已被激怒的“恶犬”，甘愿冒着眼眶再次撕裂、重回急诊室缝针，以及忍受极端减重与脱水折磨的巨大风险？ ```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: 普通人与拳手对痛苦反应的心智模式对比 accDescr: 对比普通人逃避痛苦的本能，与职业拳手渴望在极限痛苦与不确定性中证明自己的病态心理机制。 subgraph 普通人心智 A["遭遇剧痛与创伤"] --> B["规避危险"] B --> C["退回安全舒适区"] end subgraph 顶级拳手心智 D["直面痛苦与未知的深渊"] --> E["涌起病态的兴奋感"] E --> F["灵魂拷问：你能摧毁我吗？"] F --> G["向着极限危险狂奔"] end ``` 小尤班克给出的回答带着一种近乎偏执的狂热。他直言不讳地承认自己“脑子确实病得不轻”： - **对不确定性的嗜瘾**：他在这种未知与悬崖边缘的对局中才能感到活着，“我到底能不能做到？我能否挺过去？我就是为了这些时刻而生的”。 - **跨越余生的骄傲**：他追求的是当自己活到60岁、70岁乃至80岁垂垂老矣时，回望过去能够问心无愧地惊叹：“天哪，我当年竟然做到了那种壮举。” - **逆向的本能反应**：普通人面对剧痛与伤害的本能是退缩逃跑，而高水准的格斗家神经构造完全不同——在被打得鲜血淋漓、精疲力竭、伤痕累累后，他走出擂台仅一周，内心升腾起的念头竟然是“我迫不及待想再来一次”。他只想更深地扎进痛苦中去探寻自己的底线：“他能摧毁我吗？不可能。但让我们回到擂台看看他到底能不能！” ### [01:23:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5005s) 传奇出场秀：临时换歌与父亲的神来之笔 除了擂台上的血战，本场比赛史诗般的选手入场秀（Walkout）同样在拳迷圈引发了轰动。史蒂文直言自己将小尤班克的出场片段翻看了整整15遍，现场由管弦乐团气势磅礴地现场伴奏德瑞博士（Dr. Dre）的经典曲目，那是小尤班克贯穿整个职业生涯的标志性战歌。而在演出的幕后，其实隐藏着极为戏剧性的临时变动——原本团队已经与当红说唱歌手 Central Cee 谈妥由其登台领唱入场，但由于父亲老尤班克在赛前最后一刻戏剧性地与儿子和解并重回阵营，原本所有的商业表演方案被迫全部紧急推翻撤下。 老尤班克回归后，父子间发生了一段微妙而幽默的互动。父亲问儿子：“你觉得我想要什么？”小尤班克随口答道：“我不知道，老爸，你想要个拥抱吗？”老尤班克起初坚称自己无欲无求，但随后却提出了唯一一个固执的硬性要求：必须在入场环节加入一首自己指定的神秘曲目。当时团队已经排练好了蒂娜·特纳（Tina Turner）的经典老歌《Simply the Best》（老尤班克昔日的标志性出场音乐）与德瑞博士的交响乐编制，小尤班克对临时塞进一首完全没听过的歌感到非常头疼和恼火，觉得父亲不仅赛前缺席备战，一回来还净提奇怪要求。 然而，小尤班克最终选择尊重父亲的心愿：“只要你能站在我身边，这才是最重要的。如果你非要这首歌，我们就想办法塞进去。”令人不可思议的一幕在正式出场时上演了：当热血沸腾的《Simply the Best》戛然而止时，小尤班克心里还在抱怨这个转场破坏了气氛，但紧接着，那首空灵而神圣的旋律通过全场扩音系统响彻整座体育场。小尤班克望向台下如海潮般的观众，震撼地发现无数拳迷的眼眶竟然瞬间泛红湿润。在那一刻他不得不再次折服于父亲与生俱来的艺术直觉与魔力——哪怕平时看起来再荒诞、再疯狂、再不可理喻，这个男人最终却总能证明自己是对的。 ### [01:26:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5189s) 传奇出场：现实版超越剧本的震撼瞬间 小克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）回顾了与父亲老尤班克（Chris Eubank Sr.）同台出场的难忘时刻。现场选用的配乐起到了画龙点睛的效果：前段平静舒缓的旋律打破了常规大战前的亢奋与嘈杂，让全场观众将所有注意力集中在父子破冰同行的画面上。随后，音乐自然过渡到宏大的交响乐，并在他迈步前行时切入重节拍，烘托出无与伦比的气场。许多观众事后感叹这一幕“就像现实中的 WWE”，但尤班克表示自己从不看摔角，这种纯粹发自内心的真实情感与现场反应，是任何精心编排的剧本都无法复刻的。 当时两父子同乘一辆劳斯莱斯抵达。老尤班克率先从车身一侧迈出一条腿，现场解说席与整个场馆瞬间爆发狂呼。尤班克笑称，如果换作自己先从那一侧下车，轰动效果肯定大打折扣；唯有让老父亲最先亮相接受万众瞩目，随后两人在通道相拥并肩入场，才构成了如此完美的历史性画面。处于高度专注中的尤班克当时甚至没有察觉到全场已经彻底沸腾，直到赛后听身边人讨论，才意识到那一刻究竟引发了多么狂热的轰动。 --- ### [01:28:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5304s) 恩怨难解：痛斥宿敌比利·乔·桑德斯 比赛当晚还发生了一段插曲：前世界拳王比利·乔·桑德斯（Billy Joe Saunders）试图闯入尤班克的更衣室监督包扎缠手（hand wraps），并在门外与尤班克多年的好友纳帕（Nappa）爆发了激烈的冲突。谈及这位昔日对手，尤班克的厌恶之情溢于言表，坦言桑德斯是他在拳坛乃至全世界极少数打心底真正反感的人。 当被问及在康纳·本（Conor Benn）与桑德斯之间更讨厌谁时，尤班克毫不犹豫地选择了桑德斯。他指出，桑德斯同样是一个药检阳性的违规作弊者（drug cheat），并且行事极其卑劣，在人品上是个不折不扣的“底层渣滓”（scummy human being / low-life），对拳击运动起到了极其恶劣的负面示范作用。相比之下，尽管康纳·本深陷禁药风波，但尤班克认为康纳至少身上还有能被大众认可的闪光点，而桑德斯身上“毫无可取之处”。尤班克始终对其早年争议性判定负于桑德斯的比赛耿耿于怀，许多拳迷和业内人士也认为那场胜利本该属于尤班克。他极度渴望能与桑德斯重赛一场，以最痛快的方式亲自把这笔旧账彻底清算。 --- ### [01:30:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5436s) 理想蓝图：未来三场大战的完美排序 如果能完全自主规划接下来的职业生涯路线，尤班克心中有着非常明确的“完美三部曲”构想： - **第一战：对阵康纳·本的二番战**。尤班克认为，两人在首战之后市场号召力与公众关注度都已达到前所未有的顶峰，趁热打铁促成二番战是当下拳坛最具轰动效应的商业首选。 - **第二战：对决“卡内洛”萨乌尔·阿瓦雷兹（Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez）**。这是尤班克多年来梦寐以求的超级大战，他极度渴望能与这位当代拳坛巨星在擂台上一较高下。 - **第三战：了结比利·乔·桑德斯**。在职业生涯的后期将桑德斯作为收官对手之一，堂堂正正击败宿敌，为双方长达数年的恩怨画上句号。 --- ### [01:31:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5487s) 赞助支持与百位 CEO 导师计划 节目在此处插播了赞助内容。史蒂芬·巴特利特（Steven Bartlett）分享了他使用赤足鞋品牌 Vivobarefoot 改善足部健康的心得。在哈佛大学人类进化生物学教授丹尼尔·利伯曼博士（Dr. Daniel Lieberman）做客节目后，巴特利特意识到现代厚底减震鞋反而弱化了足部天然肌群与灵活性，容易引发背痛与膝痛。利物浦大学的科学研究显示，穿着 Vivobarefoot 连续 6 个月可使足部力量提升最高达 60%，听众可使用折扣码获取专属优惠。 紧接着，巴特利特介绍了由 100 位掌舵百亿级企业的全球顶尖 CEO 联合参与的免费导师通讯项目。读者可以提交初创期人际关系维系、创业起步等各类商业与人生难题，项目组会筛选最具共性的核心问题群发给百位 CEO，并将其中最具含金量的高管实操解答汇总成邮件回馈给订阅用户。 --- ### [01:33:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5605s) 档案重温：老尤班克当年的恐惧与阻挠 巴特利特在现场播放了一段引爆全网的珍贵历史影像。在画面中，年少青涩的尤班克表达了想要打拳的渴望，而当时在场的嘉宾包括前重量级世界拳王伦诺克斯·刘易斯（Lennox Lewis）以及尤班克的母亲。老尤班克在视频中极力反对儿子走上拳台，语气严厉地断言拳击是一门残酷的行当，中产或富裕阶层养尊处优的孩子不可能成为拳王，因为他们缺乏底层生存的饥饿感。老尤班克不仅担心儿子“被打烂英俊的面容”，更直言那些在拳坛没能混出头的人往往下场极其悲惨。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 尤班克少年时期拳击家庭争论图谱 accDescr: 展示老尤班克、伦诺克斯刘易斯、母亲与小尤班克在家庭会议中的立场碰撞 subgraph 争论核心["家庭争议核心：是否允许小尤班克打拳"] A["老尤班克 (Chris Eubank Sr.)"] B["小尤班克 (少年时期)"] C["伦诺克斯·刘易斯 (Lennox Lewis)"] D["尤班克母亲 (Karron)"] end A -- "反对打拳：心怀恐惧<br/>担心受伤/失去容貌/缺乏底层饥饿感" --> B B -- "坚决坚持：'我只想尝试，<br/>看看自己到底能不能行'" --> A C -- "支持尝试：'让他去试试，<br/>碰壁厌倦了自然就会放弃'" --> A D -- "劝解包容：站在儿子一边<br/>劝说老尤班克给孩子一次机会" --> A ``` 面对老尤班克的固执阻拦，伦诺克斯·刘易斯在一旁为少年尤班克帮腔，劝老尤班克“就让他去试，等到他把自己折腾累了自然就不想打了”；母亲也在一旁试图说服老尤班克给孩子一个机会。面对长辈们的激烈交锋，年少的尤班克眼神坚定，再三反问：“为什么我不能做？我只是想去尝试一下。” 如今重温这段泛黄的录像，尤班克眼眶微湿，感慨地解读了父亲当年激烈言辞背后的真正源头：那不是苛刻，而是深深的“恐惧”。老尤班克在那项残酷的运动中经历过太多常人无法想象的血雨腥风与身心创伤，他拼尽一生努力为家人筑起高墙，正是为了让下一代免受这种苦难。当看到亲生儿子竟然主动要跳进这个深坑时，老父亲展现出的抗拒与愤怒，本质上全是一个想要保护骨肉免遭伤害的父亲最深沉的恐惧。 ### [01:36:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=5794s) 优渥家境与“多扇退路之门”：为何拳王极少诞生于豪宅 回顾早年旧录像中父亲严肃警告拳击是一项残酷野蛮的运动时，克里斯·尤班克（Chris Eubank Jr.）坦言重温这些画面让人感到脊背发凉。他承认父亲说得完全正确——拳击是一项让参与者面临毁容、甚至沦为各方工具的惨烈行业，而自己一路走来确实经历过被利用和无数痛苦。更深层的原因在于，像尤班克父子录制采访时身处的那种价值数百万英镑的豪宅与私立学校环境，按常理根本不可能孕育出真正的冠军与硬汉。富足生活让人习惯了退路，而在如此野蛮血腥的运动中，一旦遭遇极限的痛楚，绝大多数处于这种优渥阶层的孩子都会顺理成章地选择退缩放弃。 尤班克用了一个极为生动的比喻来剖析贫穷与特权在拳台上的本质差异：那些出身于破碎家庭、在赤贫与匮乏中挣扎的孩子，面前只有拳击这一扇门。他们走进拳馆与擂台，心里深知如果不能硬挺着推开眼前这扇门，今晚就没有饭吃，无法支付房租，家人更会挨饿，因此他们会不惜一切代价拼死到底。相反，对于当年的尤班克而言，面前的门虽然满是痛苦与折磨，但他身后却始终并排敞开着无数扇门——足球、商业、演艺，凭借家庭背景他原本可以轻易涉足任何想做的事情。 每当跨进那扇写满痛苦的拳击大门，胃部遭受重击、眼眶被拳头撕开裂口时，身边所有其他的门都在诱惑他“走捷径吧，换条轻松的路”。但他硬是咬牙拒绝了所有退路，一扇接一扇地迎头撞开满是鲜血与伤痛的险门。父亲当年断言他绝不够坚硬，换作十之八九的富家子弟确实如此，但尤班克骨子里却有一股近乎偏执的狂热，誓要证明父亲错了、证明自己的直觉是对的。他甚至曾反复揣摩父亲那番冷酷打击的真实意图：父亲究竟是真的笃定自己不行，还是故意反其道而行之，通过剥夺祝福和认可来激发他心底最强烈的叛逆与好胜心，从而为他安上一块巨大的复仇心魔（chip on your shoulder）。 ### [01:41:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=6093s) 与妹夫弗兰克·史密斯的恩怨及推广公司间的残酷博弈 谈及新闻发布会上 Matchroom 推广公司的 CEO 弗兰克·史密斯（Frank Smith）在埃迪·赫恩（Eddie Hearn）离席后上场对峙的戏剧性场面，尤班克直言两人的私下关系极为尴尬与破裂。弗兰克·史密斯与尤班克的亲妹妹相恋多年，在名义上几乎就是他的妹夫。尽管两人曾维系过几年的平淡相处，甚至一同共度过圣诞节，但随着行业利益冲突全面爆发，这段亲缘关系彻底化为泡影。 作为签约 BOXXER 推广公司的拳手，尤班克深知 BOXXER 与埃迪·赫恩、弗兰克·史密斯执掌的 Matchroom 是你死我活的死敌。为了打压对手，Matchroom 竭尽全力想要在商业与赛程上封杀尤班克，弗兰克·史密斯本人更是深度参与其中，企图破坏他职业生涯的运作。尤班克得知真相后决绝地划清界限，明确表示即便对方是妹妹的伴侣，也休想再从自己这里得到任何友善沟通，在商言商就是宿敌。甚至在周六晚的大战现场，身处同一片赛场的弗兰克·史密斯心中唯一的期盼就是尤班克被击溃。 当被问及当初为何拒绝签约 Matchroom 时，尤班克直言不讳地表示自己根本不信任埃迪·赫恩、弗兰克·史密斯和 Matchroom，认为这些运作手段极为危险。不过，家庭内部分裂并没有波及到他和妹妹的感情，当晚妹妹依然守在他的拳角为他助阵。尤班克调侃道，他特别好奇赛后回到家，妹妹和弗兰克躺在同一张床上时会说些什么——毕竟一边是因核心摇钱树康纳·本（Conor Benn）惨败而痛心疾首的推广大佬，另一边则是看着亲哥哥浴血取胜的挚亲，两人同床共枕却处于胜负两极，堪称极其离奇的家庭荒诞剧。 - 利益对立格局：Matchroom（埃迪·赫恩与弗兰克·史密斯）与 BOXXER（尤班克所属公司）水火不容。 - 拒绝签约根源：出于对赫恩与史密斯商业诚信的高度戒备，认为与之签约极具风险。 - 荒诞家庭关系：妹妹深爱哥哥并站在其拳角，枕边人史密斯却押上全部身家期盼尤班克输拳。 ### [01:44:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=6292s) 终极问题与主持人的共鸣致敬 进入节目的经典收尾环节，上一位未具名嘉宾留下了一个提问：“如果你余生只能听一张专辑，你会选哪张？为什么？”尤班克略作思索，认为这张专辑必须是经受住岁月洗礼、跨越时代依然熠熠生辉的不朽之作，最终选择了迈克尔·杰克逊（Michael Jackson）的《Thriller》（颤栗）。在他看来，这是一部即便再过两百年，未来的年轻人听到时依然会忍不住跟着律动摇摆的永恒经典。 访谈尾声，主持人史蒂文·巴特利特（Steven Bartlett）向尤班克表达了由衷的敬意与感谢。史蒂文直言自己作为拳迷走遍全球观看了无数场拳赛——包括在纽约现场观看洛马琴科（Vasiliy Lomachenko）的顶尖交锋——但这绝对是他亲眼所见最震撼的现场对决。这不仅是因为比赛本身的凶险残酷，更在于其背后交织的家族恩怨与深刻内涵。当看到尤班克在体能早已彻底枯竭的第十二回合依然倾尽所有搏杀到底，那种向死而生的力量深深触动了在场的每一个人，让人意识到人类在最深沉的使命感与家族荣誉面前能够逼出多大的极限潜能。 史蒂文坦言尤班克与父亲决裂、遭遇公开否定的心碎经历，让他联想到了自己过去与母亲经历家庭断裂、痛苦和解的往事，从中看到了极强的个人投射与情感共鸣。他欣慰于尤班克赛后终于能够坦然走上街头去迎接公众的热烈掌声与敬意，不仅是因为他赢下了一场伟大的复仇战，更因为历经风霜后，公众终于穿透了擂台上那个面无表情、拳法狠辣的冰冷拳手躯壳，看清了他内心深处真实、柔软且饱经磨难的人性。 ### [01:47:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=6439s) 告别与致谢：致敬传奇拳击生涯 在对谈的尾声，主持人 Steven Bartlett 向 Chris Eubank Jr. 表达了由衷的赞赏与感激。Steven 动情地表示，现在的 Chris 能够毫无保留地展现最真实、最纯粹的自我，而这正是全世界所能看到的最具价值的一面。回顾 Chris 这一路走来的擂台征程，Steven 盛赞这是一段令人叹为观止的非凡职业生涯，并无比期待他在正式挂拳退役前为拳迷带来的最后几场收官大战。面对这份真挚的认可，Chris 也以诚挚的谢意作为回应，为整场深入灵魂的对谈画上了圆满的句号。 ### [01:47:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=6456s) 节目结语与主播承诺 访谈结束后，Steven Bartlett 向听众分享了一组让自己深感意外的数据：在长期收听节目的常客观众中，竟然有高达 53% 的人尚未点击订阅。 - **支持节目的免费方式**：Steven 恳请喜爱节目内容并愿意给予支持的听众伸出援手，动动手指点击免费的订阅按钮，这便是对团队最大的鼓励。 - **团队的持续承诺**：作为对订阅观众的回馈，Steven 郑重承诺他和制作团队会全力以赴，每周倾听受众反馈，积极邀请大家最渴望见到的嘉宾对谈，持续打磨并提升每一期节目的质量。 ## Notable quotes > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=0s) 抱歉，已经太晚了。 — 克里斯·尤班克 > [11:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=706s) 看到后给我回电话。 — 老克里斯·尤班克 > [14:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=887s) 我知道你明天有场硬仗，儿子……我想陪在你身边，让我们一起面对。 — 老克里斯·尤班克 > [20:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1239s) 不，我什么都不要。绝绝对对，一无所求。 — 老克里斯·尤班克 > [29:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=1745s) 我才是老板 — 克里斯·尤班克 > [37:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2232s) 减重确实痛苦，我今晚会更痛苦，明天早上要减掉最后几磅时还会更痛苦。但我问自己：什么是痛苦？我有一个 31 岁的弟弟长眠在迪拜的沙漠里，那叫痛苦。他三岁的儿子拉希姆问为什么看不到爸爸、为什么爸爸不能送他上学，那叫痛苦。我自己的父亲——我崇拜了一辈子的男人——已经好几年不跟我说话，还认为我是个耻辱。对我来说，这些才是真正的痛苦。 — 克里斯·尤班克 > [42:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=2534s) 我必须利用这股力量。这场战斗是为你打的，是为拉希姆打的，是为尤班克家族打的。我看着照片上的他，我就绝不可能输，输掉是绝对不可能的。 — 克里斯·尤班克 > [59:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3584s) 当那道伤口裂开的瞬间，我就清楚一切都结束了——不再有花哨的拳击技术，不再有试探性刺拳，不再有讲究的战术防守。现在是拼命的时刻了，宝贝！我们要看看这个年轻人到底有多想赢，因为我想赢。既然不知道他有多硬，那就碰一碰，让我们当场见分晓！ — 克里斯·尤班克 > [01:04:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3845s) 天哪，我其实很好，我太受眷顾了。隔壁有个人快要死了，我凭什么在这里自怨自艾，抱怨头痛和眼皮裂口呢？ — 克里斯·尤班克 > [01:06:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=3960s) 如果你服用了违禁药物作弊，你休想从我这里得到哪怕一丁点尊重。 — 克里斯·尤班克 > [01:17:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4636s) 沙特人只要想办成一件事，就没有任何人能阻挡他们。 — 克里斯·尤班克 > [01:20:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM&t=4846s) 最让我震惊的是，我真没想到他骨子里居然也有这股恶犬般的血性。他绝不是那种形势不妙就想找台阶下的人，他是个货真价实的硬茬。 — 克里斯·尤班克 ## Mentioned 克里斯·尤班克 (Chris Eubank Jr.), 老克里斯·尤班克 (Chris Eubank Sr.), 康纳·本 (Conor Benn), 史蒂文·巴特利特 (Steven Bartlett), 德文·哈尼 (Devin Haney), 萨乌尔·“卡内洛”·阿瓦雷兹 (Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez), 瑞安·加西亚 (Ryan Garcia), 埃迪·赫恩 (Eddie Hearn), Matchroom Boxing, 奈杰尔·本 (Nigel Benn), 塞巴斯蒂安·尤班克 (Sebastian Eubank), 拉希姆 (Raheem), 图尔基·阿尔·谢赫 (Turki Alalshikh), 弗洛伊德·梅威瑟 (Floyd Mayweather), 氯米芬 (Clomiphene), 利亚姆·史密斯 (Liam Smith), Central Cee, 德瑞博士 (Dr. Dre), 蒂娜·特纳 (Tina Turner), 《Simply the Best》, 比利·乔·桑德斯 (Billy Joe Saunders), Vivobarefoot, 丹尼尔·利伯曼博士 (Dr. Daniel Lieberman), 伦诺克斯·刘易斯 (Lennox Lewis), 弗兰克·史密斯 (Frank Smith), BOXXER, 迈克尔·杰克逊 (Michael Jackson), 《Thriller》, 瓦西里·洛马琴科 (Vasiliy Lomachenko) ## Video description He silenced the critics, defied the odds, and walked through fire - Chris Eubank Jr. tells the full story of one of 2025’s most unforgettable fights. Chris Eubank Jr. is a world-class professional boxer, middleweight contender, and son of the legendary former professional boxer, Chris Eubank Sr. In April 2025, he won against Connor Benn in one of the most highly anticipated fights in British boxing history. He discusses: - Why he refused to shake Conor Benn’s hand. - Why the fight almost collapsed the night before. - The real reason his father publicly disowned him. - The pain of losing his brother, and raising his nephew as his own. 00:00 Intro 02:11 How Are You Feeling After the Fight? 06:24 Something Didn't Look Quite Right With You That Night 09:54 The Things That Were Against Me on the Night 12:02 The Night Before the Fight, My Father Finally Opened Up 20:38 How Me and My Dad Finally Made Up 29:05 What Caused the Rift Between You and Your Father? 37:12 Did Him Calling You a Disgrace Impact Your Mental Health? 42:14 Were You Thinking About Your Younger Brother During the Fight? 49:11 Rehydration Restriction 54:01 How Much Did You Get for the Fight? 1:00:38 What Was Going Through Your Head in the Final Moments 1:03:25 The Time I Spent in Hospital 1:06:10 Ads 1:07:08 Have You Got a Newfound Respect for Conor? 1:09:33 The Failed Drug Tests 1:14:05 The Egg Slap 1:15:34 The Rematch With Conor 1:21:54 Did Conor Surprise You? 1:24:31 The Walkout 1:29:33 Billy Joe Saunders 1:31:44 Who Would Your Next 3 Fights Be? 1:34:32 You Before Starting Boxing 1:40:44 Your Relationship With Frank Smith 1:44:03 If You Had One Album for the Rest of Your Life, What Would It Be? The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://rebrand.ly/r0ogao4 The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt Think like a CEO - join the 100 CEOs newsletter: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-newsletter Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Follow Chris: TikTok - https://rebrand.ly/jligckn Instagram - https://rebrand.ly/iabtt7v Get access to exclusive Diary of a CEO content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGq-a57w-aPwyi3pW7XLiHw/join Sponsors: Vanta - https://vanta.com/steven Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DIARY20 for 20% off [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAlLgGf9JM)

Source quotes

[0:00] 克里斯·尤班克: 抱歉，已经太晚了。 [11:46] 老克里斯·尤班克: 看到后给我回电话。 [14:47] 老克里斯·尤班克: 我知道你明天有场硬仗，儿子……我想陪在你身边，让我们一起面对。 [20:39] 老克里斯·尤班克: 不，我什么都不要。绝绝对对，一无所求。 [29:05] 克里斯·尤班克: 我才是老板 [37:12] 克里斯·尤班克: 减重确实痛苦，我今晚会更痛苦，明天早上要减掉最后几磅时还会更痛苦。但我问自己：什么是痛苦？我有一个 31 岁的弟弟长眠在迪拜的沙漠里，那叫痛苦。他三岁的儿子拉希姆问为什么看不到爸爸、为什么爸爸不能送他上学，那叫痛苦。我自己的父亲——我崇拜了一辈子的男人——已经好几年不跟我说话，还认为我是个耻辱。对我来说，这些才是真正的痛苦。 [42:14] 克里斯·尤班克: 我必须利用这股力量。这场战斗是为你打的，是为拉希姆打的，是为尤班克家族打的。我看着照片上的他，我就绝不可能输，输掉是绝对不可能的。 [59:44] 克里斯·尤班克: 当那道伤口裂开的瞬间，我就清楚一切都结束了——不再有花哨的拳击技术，不再有试探性刺拳，不再有讲究的战术防守。现在是拼命的时刻了，宝贝！我们要看看这个年轻人到底有多想赢，因为我想赢。既然不知道他有多硬，那就碰一碰，让我们当场见分晓！ [64:05] 克里斯·尤班克: 天哪，我其实很好，我太受眷顾了。隔壁有个人快要死了，我凭什么在这里自怨自艾，抱怨头痛和眼皮裂口呢？ [66:00] 克里斯·尤班克: 如果你服用了违禁药物作弊，你休想从我这里得到哪怕一丁点尊重。 [77:16] 克里斯·尤班克: 沙特人只要想办成一件事，就没有任何人能阻挡他们。 [80:46] 克里斯·尤班克: 最让我震惊的是，我真没想到他骨子里居然也有这股恶犬般的血性。他绝不是那种形势不妙就想找台阶下的人，他是个货真价实的硬茬。

Source quotes

[12:02] Chris Eubank Jr.: For the first time in my whole career, I'm walking through a crowd and there's no boos... I'm seeing grown men with tears in their eyes and smiles. [12:02] Chris Eubank Sr.: Call me when you see this. [12:02] Chris Eubank Sr.: Hey, how you doing, son?... I want to be there for you. [18:00] Chris Eubank Sr.: What do you think I want from you? [21:22] Chris Eubank Sr.: No, I want nothing. Absolutely nothing. [24:32] Chris Eubank Jr.: It became spiritual. It wasn't about the physical. I was dehydrated... It became about just being true. [24:32] Chris Eubank Jr.: No one's around. No one's watching, but you keep your ass on that treadmill and you get through the pain. [29:05] Chris Eubank Jr.: I am the boss. [37:12] Chris Eubank Jr.: The weight is painful. I'll be in even more pain tonight and tomorrow. The question I ask myself is, 'What is pain?' I have a 31-year-old brother that is buried in the desert in Dubai. That's pain. I have his son, Raheem, who is three, asking why he can't see his dad... My own father... thinks I'm a disgrace. These things are pain to me. [42:14] Chris Eubank Jr.: I can't look at that picture and lose. It's impossible. [44:02] Chris Eubank Jr.: Before Raheem, I thought happiness was... a big win at a poker table or winning a fight... But it's a whole different level when you're with another human being who you love [44:02] Chris Eubank Jr.: We are free. We did it. We made it... So how can you not be grateful? How can you not be respectful and responsible with your time? [56:00] Chris Eubank Jr.: He has made a disgusting amount of money. And his performances and his dedication never ever ever changed [58:58] Chris Eubank Jr.: It's too late. It's too late. I'm sorry. What's going to happen is going to happen. [88:24] Chris Eubank Jr.: He is a drug cheat, too... but he is actually a real scummy human being... A terrible advocate for the sport. Just a real low-life human being.

Original transcript

[0:00] You're the first person I've really [0:01] spoken to about this type of stuff. I [0:03] was in hospital after the fight lying [0:05] there. I got my mask on thinking this is [0:07] so bad. Get me the morphine. Get me the [0:09] morphine. Got my family around me. Some [0:11] of them are crying. I can hear [0:12] everything that's going on. And then I [0:14] hear the doctor say from the other room. [0:16] We have to operate on him now otherwise [0:18] he's going to die. [0:19] [Applause] [0:21] Chris Jun. [0:24] Chris, you haven't really spoken since [0:26] that 12th round with Connor. How do you [0:28] rate your own performance? I was [0:30] technically sound for the first seven [0:32] rounds, but once the cut came, I was [0:35] experiencing all the things that had [0:37] been restricting me leading up to the [0:39] fight and I can hear my trainer. Got to [0:41] use the jab, Chris. Use your feet. I [0:43] looked at him. I said, "I'm sorry. It's [0:45] too late." Because I always knew there [0:47] would be fights like this where you [0:49] don't have anything left or you want to [0:50] give up or you're hurt, but you have to [0:52] fight through the demons, the issues, [0:54] the restrictions. because I wasn't [0:56] willing to go the rest of my life [0:58] knowing that I didn't give it my all. [1:00] That lives with you forever. So, the [1:02] technicality of the sport was out the [1:04] window. We are going to war. Was Connor [1:07] faster than you were expecting? Yep. Was [1:08] he stronger than you expecting? Yep. And [1:10] it was about who wants it more. My old [1:13] man's there. I've got to show him. I'm [1:15] capable of great things. You know, we [1:17] have been estranged for years. But what [1:19] caused that relationship to strain? I [1:21] sent him a letter and that broke him. [1:24] You know, I I get emotional thinking [1:26] about this. What did that letter say? [1:31] This has always blown my mind a little [1:33] bit. 53% of you that listen to this show [1:35] regularly haven't yet subscribed to the [1:37] show. So, could I ask you for a favor [1:39] before we start? If you like the show [1:41] and you like what we do here and you [1:42] want to support us, the free simple way [1:44] that you can do just that is by hitting [1:45] the subscribe button. And my commitment [1:47] to you is if you do that, then I'll do [1:49] everything in my power, me and my team, [1:50] to make sure that this show is better [1:52] for you every single week. We'll listen [1:54] to your feedback. We'll find the guests [1:55] that you want me to speak to, and we'll [1:57] continue to do what we do. Thank you so [2:02] much. [2:04] Chris, you haven't really spoken since [2:06] the fight, especially not in in long [2:09] form. So, I guess the best place to [2:10] start is just by asking you how you're [2:12] feeling. That was pretty [ __ ] crazy. [2:16] [ __ ] crazy is uh is is is pretty [2:18] accurate. Yeah, it was [2:20] [Music] [2:21] um it was a fight that I'm not going to [2:25] lie, I wasn't expecting to be involved [2:28] in. [2:29] Um, I genuinely thought that, uh, I was [2:34] going to go in there. I was going [2:36] to have my way with this [2:40] kid, blow him out of the water, you [2:42] know, watch him [2:44] quit, watch him [2:47] um, crumble under the pressure. That's [2:50] really what I thought was going to [2:53] happen. And thank God that I was wrong. [2:59] Because if that had [3:01] happened, it would not be a fight that [3:04] is now going to be remembered [3:07] for [3:08] ever. This is what I'm being told. This [3:11] is what I'm hearing. This is what I'm [3:12] seeing. This is the best fight I ever [3:14] saw. This is the best event I ever saw. [3:16] This was amazing. For a fight to reach [3:19] that level of love and and respect, both [3:23] fighters have [3:25] to go through the fire. [3:29] Both fires have to do things that [3:34] um may seem superhuman, may seem like [3:39] impossible. They have to go through [3:41] that. They have to be [3:43] true. And uh they cannot give up. And [3:48] that's what we both showed on that [3:50] night. Two [3:52] men who were willing to die in that [3:56] ring. That's what boxing is really [3:58] about. And it's so rare to see these [4:00] days. You know, we just saw over the [4:05] weekend some of the best fighters on the [4:08] planet right [4:09] now. Devin Haney, Canelo, Ryan [4:14] Garcia. You know, they their fights were [4:19] um underwhelming to say the least. [4:22] boring. In those three fights, the total [4:26] amount of punches [4:28] landed was less than just the fight in [4:31] me with me and Connor. So, the fight [4:33] with me and Connor, I think we landed [4:34] maybe 1,500 punches. In their three [4:37] fights in total, only 1,400 landed, [4:40] which is a pretty incredible statistic. [4:42] And it just shows [4:44] you how much that fight meant to both of [4:49] us. you know, it showed the pressure and [4:51] the grit and the determination and the [4:54] stakes. So, I'm I'm blessed to be a part [4:57] of such a historic fight, a historic [5:01] event, and I'm I'm very [5:05] um grateful that the fans loved it so [5:09] much. You know, everything I've heard [5:11] about it so far has been amazing. And I, [5:13] you know, I went out into the streets um [5:15] for the first time yesterday in Brixton [5:17] and to see the people's reactions for [5:20] the first time really to really see it. [5:23] Um, you know, it really it really uh it [5:28] really means a lot. You know, I had a [5:29] woman a woman came up and she was [5:31] crying. You know, she was she had tears [5:33] in her eyes like, you know, it's amazing [5:34] what you did. You know, that fight [5:38] superseded what boxing is, you know, [5:40] because it [5:41] was, you know, even even outside of what [5:45] we did in that [5:46] ring, the father and son [5:49] dynamic, that was real. And that's [5:52] something that, you know, the entire [5:55] world can relate to and has to deal with [5:57] their own problems with their families. [6:00] So to see me and my father going through [6:02] what we were going [6:03] through and then to come together to [6:07] unite at a time when it meant the [6:10] most. That's an amazing thing. And [6:12] nobody thought it was going to happen. I [6:14] didn't think it was going to happen. So [6:16] seeing [6:17] that, you know, that that's not boxing, [6:20] you know, that is [6:22] um that's love. You know, going back to [6:25] the top of that, you said that you were [6:27] expecting to walk in there and blow [6:29] Connor [6:30] away. So, does that mean that you in [6:33] hindsight underestimated his ability [6:36] or was there something not quite right [6:39] with you that [6:40] night? Because I was watching. I was [6:43] ringside and you didn't look normal, [6:46] especially in those opening rounds. You [6:48] had the [6:50] same dog in you that you've always had, [6:53] but you didn't look [6:56] normal. You're very uh you're very [7:00] observant. There are a lot of things [7:03] going on in my [7:05] life that no one knows about and no one [7:07] will ever know [7:09] about. You know, as a fighter, you have [7:14] to you have to do things that nobody [7:18] else could imagine doing and no one else [7:20] is willing to do. I did that to be able [7:23] to get into the ring that night. You [7:25] also have the the navigation of weight [7:30] loss, rehydration [7:33] restrictions. These are all things that [7:35] I was having to deal with on top of all [7:37] the outside stuff. [7:40] what you saw was maybe yes there was [7:42] maybe certain aspects of me as an [7:45] athlete that you know weren't 100%. [7:50] But the truth of it is so many [7:55] fighters go into fights with issues [7:59] whether it's injuries, whether it's [8:00] illness, whether [8:02] it's uh mental [8:05] [Music] [8:06] problems. We all have to fight through [8:09] these things. [8:11] That's a part of the sport, which is why [8:14] I'm not going to sit here and tell you [8:16] about all the things that I was dealing [8:17] with because it's my job. We are we are [8:22] fighters. You have to fight through the [8:25] demons. You have to fight through the [8:26] issues. You have to fight through the [8:28] restrictions. And that's what I did. I [8:31] didn't give up. [8:36] illness, injury, and mental problems. [8:39] A [8:40] are are just a few of the things that [8:43] fighters. Did you have any of these? [8:46] Again, again, I I I I'm not going to go [8:48] into what I was dealing with. Was it [8:51] It's a personal issue you're dealing [8:53] with. Um do you know why I'm asking this [8:56] question? I I'm asking this question [8:57] because as a fight fan, as a fan of [9:00] yours, I was watching you as you as the [9:03] fight began and I didn't think you were [9:05] quite yourself. I've been to your [9:07] fights. I've been to many other fights, [9:08] you know. Um, I've watched you in [9:09] Manchester as well, ringside, and you [9:12] didn't look the same. So, now I have [9:13] this big question mark in my head as to [9:15] why you didn't look the same. And I'm [9:17] like really determined to try and [9:18] understand. I know that you weren't in [9:20] great physical health, but you say there [9:23] was other things going on in your [9:25] life. What category were those things [9:27] in? If you don't, you don't have to tell [9:30] me what they are. You obviously don't [9:30] have to say anything, but No, you know, [9:32] it's it's something [9:35] that, you know, a lot of fighters do. [9:37] you know, they they will come out of a [9:39] fight and they will say the things that [9:42] um were wrong with the camps and were [9:46] wrong with their health or wrong [9:48] with, you know, their personal lives or, [9:51] you know, I've never been that guy to [9:53] make [9:55] excuses. I I'm not looking for sympathy. [9:57] I'm not looking for a reason for people [10:00] to say, "Oh, well, you know, [10:03] um well, you won, so it doesn't matter." [10:06] But but even if I had lost Yeah. It's [10:09] not in me to oh well this is why I you [10:12] know I had to go through this and that [10:14] and people saw so much of what I had to [10:17] deal with. Yeah. My father the weight [10:21] cut the rehydration clause getting fined [10:24] a million for being 0.5 [10:27] overweight. Using the gloves that [10:29] weren't in the [10:30] contract. Some guy trying to get into my [10:33] changing room to check my hands. uh and [10:35] and and and and ruffling the feathers of [10:38] of my team. They threw everything at [10:42] me. They did everything they could to [10:45] try [10:46] and get me off of track, to distract me, [10:49] to take my mind off of the task at hand. [10:53] And I never let that happen. And I'm [10:56] very [10:57] um I'm proud of that. I'm proud that I [11:01] didn't fall into the traps that were [11:02] set. Every time they set a trap, I saw [11:05] the trap. Go around it. Go forward. Oh, [11:09] there's another trap. Round it. Forward. [11:12] Another trap. Round it. [11:13] Forward. That is a part of being a [11:17] warrior. It's not just getting in the [11:19] ring and fighting. You have to be smart. [11:22] You have to be cunning. You have to know [11:24] your enemy. You have to understand the [11:26] things that people are trying to do to [11:28] take you out of your comfort zone, out [11:30] of [11:31] your, you know, out of your [11:33] preparation. You have to avoid and you [11:36] have to make sure that nothing gets into [11:39] your [11:40] head, nothing affects what you're going [11:42] to do on the night, you know. And the [11:46] crazy thing was, not only was I dealing [11:48] with all these bullets flying at me from [11:51] my [11:53] enemies in Connor Ben, in Matram and [11:56] Eddie Hearn, uh, in Nigel Ben. These are [12:00] all enemies leading up to the fight. I [12:03] had bullets and coming from my family, [12:08] my father. a couple of days before the [12:10] biggest fight of my life. He's, you [12:13] know, he's going into the media and [12:15] saying I'm a [12:17] disgrace. [12:18] [Music] [12:21] Um, I'm [12:23] already in, you know, under a lot of [12:27] stress, under a lot of pressure, and [12:29] then I've got to hear this. It's like, [12:32] Jesus. I mean, what what, you know, how [12:34] how much worse is it going to get? [12:39] It was tough. It was really [12:42] tough. [12:44] But on the subject of my [12:48] father, regardless of what he said about [12:51] me and about the [12:53] fight, he was there when it mattered the [12:56] most. And that means [12:59] everything. I didn't know he was going [13:00] to [13:03] come. He called me. He texts me the the [13:06] day before the fight, the night before [13:08] the [13:09] fight. He said, "Um, call me when you [13:12] see [13:16] this." So, I saw the [13:19] text and I thought, you know [13:22] what? You know, we [13:24] are we're less than a day away from [13:28] well, this is the night before the [13:29] biggest fight of my life. The last thing [13:31] I can be doing is being on the phone [13:34] listening [13:35] to [13:37] negativity because that's all he had [13:39] come with for the last 6, eight weeks. [13:43] The fight's not going to happen. This [13:45] fight shouldn't be happening. Weights [13:48] are not right. He egged him. He's a [13:50] disgrace. It's a circus. It's a sham. I [13:53] will never be in this my son's corner. [13:55] This is all I'm hearing from him for two [13:57] months. [14:00] Don't do this fight, Chris. [14:03] Son, this is all I'm hearing. I I So, [14:06] I'm sitting there. I'm reading this [14:07] message and he hasn't, you know, I [14:09] haven't spoken to him and I'm thinking, [14:12] I can't I can't deal with this right [14:14] now. Call him. Call him for what? So, he [14:16] can say not to take the fight, you know? [14:19] I got to rest. I got to I got to focus. [14:22] A couple of hours go [14:23] by, maybe 9 10:00 it gets to that and [14:27] I'm like, you know what? [14:30] I've been through so much [ __ ] in the [14:32] last two [14:34] months. What more could possibly What [14:38] more could possibly be thrown at me? The [14:40] end of the day is my old man. He's text [14:44] me. I'm going to hear him now. So, I [14:47] call him. I was about to go to sleep and [14:49] I thought, you know what? I'll call him. [14:52] As soon as he picked the phone up, there [14:54] was a a tone in his voice that I hadn't [14:58] heard for [15:02] years. Um, it was a [15:05] tone [15:07] of happiness, [15:10] lightness, [15:12] joy. Hey, how you doing, [15:15] son? What's going on? How you [15:19] feeling? How am I feeling? [15:23] When when have you worried about how [15:25] I've been feeling? You [15:27] know, I'm good, Dad. Everything's cool, [15:30] you know. Just getting ready to go to [15:32] sleep. Got a big day [15:35] tomorrow. Yeah. Yeah. I know. I know, [15:38] son. I know you got a big day tomorrow. [15:40] And [15:40] [Music] [15:44] um I want to be there for you. [15:52] So, I heard that and I'm [15:54] like, is this is this a dream? Is this [15:58] uh this is this is Chris Eubank Senior [16:01] I'm speaking to. Who is [16:03] this? Yeah, it's me, [16:06] son. Let's uh let's do this. Let's do [16:09] this together. Where are you? Said I'm [16:12] at my [16:14] hotel. He said, "All right, well, I'll [16:16] come to your hotel. We'll speak and [16:19] yeah, let's let's let's do [16:22] it. Okay. Okay, [16:25] Dad. I ordered him an Uber. 20 minutes [16:29] later, he was at my hotel. I got him a [16:34] room. We went up to the room. We sat [16:36] down. You know, he [16:40] said, "I was always going to come. I was [16:43] always going to be there for you. [16:47] And in my mind, I'm thinking, if I had [16:49] just gone to sleep, what happens? What [16:52] would you still be here? [16:53] Like, you know, we haven't had any [16:56] communication. And I know and I knew how [16:58] hard it was for him to send me that text [17:00] of, you know, call me when you see this [17:03] because he doesn't do that. You know, [17:04] it's been years since he tried to have [17:07] that contact with me. So, I think if I [17:10] just ignored it, then we wouldn't be [17:12] sitting here today talking about this [17:14] amazing event that had unfolded because [17:17] make no mistake, him being there made [17:19] it it made it different. It made it [17:23] something that will now go down in [17:25] history. You know, movies are made about [17:27] this type of [17:28] stuff. If I go in there alone, it's just [17:31] a [17:32] fight. It would have been a great fight [17:34] still, but to have [17:36] that fantasy of a father and [17:40] son coming together after going through [17:43] so [17:44] much so much, you know, my brother [17:47] passing away. um all the stuff in the [17:50] media, all the friction to see to see [17:53] that be able to be kind of put to one [17:55] side and to unite, to come together, to [17:58] walk into that [18:01] ring. It's uh it's an incredible thing, [18:04] you know. I I get I get emotional [18:06] thinking about it because [18:08] it's it was so unexpected. [18:12] You know, I I had I had envisioned in my [18:14] mind for the last two years me walking [18:18] to that ring [18:21] alone. I just, you know, it never [18:24] crossed my mind that my old man would be [18:25] behind me. [18:30] Um, I envisioned walking to the ring [18:34] alone, being booed, [18:38] um, and getting into that ring and [18:40] fighting [18:42] with anger in my [18:44] heart. That's that's what I thought that [18:47] fight was going to [18:48] be. What it turned out to be [18:51] was I'm walking to the ring. My old man [18:55] is behind me. He's with me. [18:59] And you know, for the first time [19:04] in my whole career, I'm walking through [19:08] a [19:09] crowd and there's no [19:13] booze. I'm used to walking up into these [19:16] rings and I'm looking out and people are [19:19] going, [19:22] "You're gonna get knocked out. [19:26] and I feed off of that dark [19:29] energy and I use it against my [19:31] opponents. That's what I've been that's [19:34] that's my been my life [19:36] for for my whole career [19:39] really. In this fight, I'm walking past [19:42] people and I'm seeing tears in their [19:46] eyes. I'm seeing grown men with tears in [19:50] their [19:52] eyes and smiles and [19:56] you know, God rest slow. And it's [20:01] like, you know, I'm walking to the ring [20:03] and and my my my face is always cold [20:06] because I'm about to get in the ring and [20:08] hurt somebody and get hurt. But in my [20:11] mind, and my heart, I'm like, what's [20:13] happening? What is this? This [20:17] is I've never I've never seen this [20:20] before. [20:21] I've never seen cheers, let alone people [20:24] crying with [20:27] joy. This is, you know, this is this is [20:30] going to be different. This fight is [20:32] about to be something different. I don't [20:34] know. I don't know what it's going to [20:35] be, but I'm excited. What did you [20:40] discuss in that hotel room when he [20:41] arrived in that Uber? [20:44] He said to me in that hotel room, "What [20:48] do you think I want from you? [20:54] I thought about it for a long [20:57] time and I genuinely couldn't answer the [21:01] question. You know, we have been [21:03] estranged for a long long time. [21:06] Years. Yeah. Years. So, how can I answer [21:10] that? What What do I want from you? Is [21:13] what he said. [21:16] I know that this man is not a man that [21:18] can be [21:19] bought. He's got too much pride. He got [21:22] too much morals. He's a man of [21:24] God. Um that's all that's important to [21:27] him. You can't buy [21:30] him. So me knowing that when he's [21:32] saying, "What do you think I want from [21:34] you?" I'm thinking, "Oh [21:37] no, has that changed? Has he changed? [21:43] Is he about to, you know, ask me for [21:45] some crazy amount of [21:48] money? I hope I hope [21:51] not because then that [21:54] changes my view of who this man in front [21:56] of me [21:57] is, you [22:00] know? So, I didn't I didn't I didn't [22:03] even think about that. It's in my head, [22:05] but I didn't want to say it. I didn't [22:07] want to say it in the fear that he would [22:09] be like, "Yeah, you got to give me a [22:11] million. That would have killed me. [22:14] Really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That would [22:16] have been bad. [22:18] Why? Because then I know that he's only [22:22] he's not there because he loves me and [22:23] because he wants to see [22:26] me win. He wants to support me. Uh he [22:31] wants to be my [22:33] dad. If it's about money, then all of [22:36] that is irrelevant. Yeah. [22:39] So, I was too scared to even talk about [22:42] to even mention money because then that [22:44] would mean that there's there's no [22:46] coming [22:48] back. You know, if you're if you're in [22:50] if you're if we're in a room together [22:52] the night before the biggest fight of my [22:53] life and you're just saying you got to [22:54] pay me, that means for the rest of our [22:57] lives now, our our relationship will [23:00] never ever be the [23:01] same. So, I was scared to say that and I [23:04] was scared at the question. I had to [23:07] joke. I had to I had to make a joke out [23:09] of it because I was so confused and [23:12] worried about what was about to happen. [23:13] I said, "You want a hug? I give you a [23:16] hug?" He said, [23:18] "No, I want [23:22] nothing. Absolutely [23:25] nothing." And when he said [23:34] that, you know, my heart [23:39] It was just an over an overwhelm an [23:42] overwhelming feeling of [23:44] joy. Okay, my dad is here [23:48] because he wants to be my [23:51] dad. That's [23:53] huge. That's everything. That's that's [23:56] what I haven't [23:58] had for years and years and years. [24:02] So, if there was ever a time that I was [24:04] going to kind of get some of that [24:07] feeling and love back, this was the time [24:09] I needed it. And he was there to do it. [24:13] I'll never forget that. Him being there [24:16] that night for [24:22] sure. You know, it gave me those few [24:24] extra [24:26] percentages to put into that [24:29] performance. People say [24:32] You were finished. But by the eighth [24:34] round, you had no your legs were [24:36] gone. How did you throw 300 punches in [24:39] the last two [24:41] rounds? Well, I had to come outside of [24:46] myself. It became [24:48] spiritual. It wasn't about the [24:51] physical. I was dehydrated. [24:57] I was experiencing all the things that [25:00] had been restricting me [25:03] um leading up to the [25:06] fight. So it it became not about the [25:10] physical. It came about the spiritual. [25:13] It became about just being [25:16] true. Just being the man I know I can [25:19] be. [25:21] I told you a story once about being on [25:25] that [25:26] treadmill [25:29] and you've got that cramp in your in [25:31] your [25:32] foot, but you said you was going to do [25:35] the 10 [25:36] miles. So, you've got to limp on that [25:39] treadmill for as long as you have to to [25:42] complete the [25:44] task. No one's around. No one's [25:47] watching, but you you keep your ass on [25:49] that treadmill and you get through it. [25:51] You get through the [25:52] pain. That [25:55] mentality is what was able [26:00] to get me through those last two, three [26:05] rounds. I never gave up in the gyms. [26:08] When I was getting beaten up in [26:09] sparring, I never quit. I would come [26:11] back the next day. When I got the [26:13] cramps, I kept going because I always [26:16] knew there would be fights like this [26:17] where you don't have anything left or [26:19] you want to give up or you're hurt, [26:22] you're dehydrated or you're injured or [26:24] you're [26:25] cut, you know, you can't can't see [26:27] anything out of your of your eye. You [26:28] got a big cut across your [26:30] eye and you're going to ask yourself [26:33] that question getting up off the stool [26:36] in the in the ninth in the in the 10th [26:38] round. [26:41] Should I give [26:43] up? Should I Should I take a knee? [26:46] Should I Should I [26:48] run? No. We are [26:52] going to war. We are going to leave [26:55] everything we have in this ring because [26:58] this [26:59] fight is going to be remembered forever. [27:02] So what you choose to do in these last [27:04] few [27:06] rounds, that is what the people are [27:08] going to remember you by for the rest of [27:11] your [27:12] life. Did you come [27:16] forward? Did you put it all on the line [27:18] or did you [27:19] retreat? I wasn't willing to go the rest [27:22] of my life knowing that I didn't give it [27:24] my all. regardless of the cut, [27:27] regardless of everything I was going [27:28] through, I knew I just I had to do what [27:31] I had to do to win. And my old man's [27:34] there. He's [27:36] watching. And you know, he didn't [27:40] believe I'll be able to do what I'm [27:42] doing. That's what he's been saying for [27:47] years. I've got to show him. I've got to [27:49] show the [27:50] world. And I've got to show myself [27:55] that I'm capable of great [27:58] things and I'm capable [28:01] of going through things that [28:05] 99.999% of human beings on this earth [28:07] were not willing to go through and that [28:09] will live [28:11] forever. And that's a beautiful feeling. [28:14] a week after the fight sitting here [28:15] talking about it. There's no amount of [28:19] money that can buy the feelings that I [28:22] have now. And that is the genuine [28:25] truth. The the how proud I am of what we [28:29] achieved in that in that [28:31] fight. It's [28:33] priceless. It's something that you know [28:36] on your deathbed in 60 years time you're [28:39] thinking about it. Yeah, I did that. [28:42] You can't get that from [28:44] money. You can't get that from [28:48] fame. You get that from years and years [28:51] and years of graft, hard [28:54] work, and just being [28:57] true, not cutting corners, not cheating, [29:02] um not being a [29:05] bully. Chris, everybody has a different [29:07] relationship with their family. You've [29:10] always been a seemingly quite [29:14] emotionless individual, very cold [29:15] exterior as you've described it [29:17] yourself. So, it's really moving and [29:20] interesting to [29:22] hear how much your dad meant to you. And [29:25] as you were speaking, I was thinking [29:26] about to all these interviews I've seen [29:27] of you over the years where you cite him [29:29] as your biggest role model in [29:32] life. I've kind of got two points. The [29:34] first, I guess, is a point which is just [29:37] I had no idea he meant that much to you. [29:39] I had no idea. And secondly, the [29:42] question [29:44] is what caused that [29:46] relationship to [29:49] strain? My father is an extremely proud [29:54] and an [29:55] extremely intense human [29:58] being. He has his ways of thinking. He [30:01] has his ways of living, [30:05] teaching, [30:07] parenting, and it's his way or the [30:11] highway. Nothing else works in his [30:13] opinion. It got to a stage in my life [30:17] where I decided [30:20] to walk my own path, separate myself [30:24] from this [30:25] massive [30:27] character in my father. [30:31] You know, I had grown up with this [30:34] pressure and this [30:37] responsibility [30:39] and it became too [30:41] much. I was [30:44] known for being the son of for so many [30:49] years she makes [30:51] son. And I I I kind of whenever I would [30:54] hear that, you know, well, at least they [30:56] know who I am. But it got to a stage [30:58] where I was like, how do I [31:01] get away from [31:03] that? How do I [31:05] [Music] [31:06] become just [31:09] me? You know, how do I become Chris [31:12] Eubank, not the son of a legend? And it [31:17] dawned on me eventually. I The only way [31:19] to do that is to be separate from it in [31:23] boxing. [31:25] I'm not talking about as a [31:27] father. Talking about in terms of my [31:30] career, in terms of the decision- [31:31] making, in terms of the training, in [31:33] terms of the fighting, in terms of the [31:36] media, the press conferences, these were [31:38] all things that he was right by my side [31:40] for my entire career. I knew that to get [31:42] away from the [31:45] shadow, I had to start doing it on my [31:48] own. Did you write him a letter? [31:51] Yeah. explaining exactly that. I told [31:54] him, "I'm going to write my own book one [31:58] day." The book can't [32:02] be, "Oh, well, my dad told me to do [32:04] this, so I did it. My dad said don't [32:07] take that fight, so I didn't take that [32:09] fight. He told me to train that way and [32:11] and go here and and wear that." It's not [32:15] a book. It's not a life. I need to be [32:19] able to write my own story into history. [32:21] What did that letter say that you wrote [32:23] to him? And why didn't you tell him to [32:24] his face? I needed him [32:27] to [32:29] understand [32:32] and read [32:34] it and reread it and reread [32:38] it without interruption. [32:41] You know, if I'm talking to him like I'm [32:43] talking to you, as soon as something is [32:46] said that is maybe a little [32:48] bit I don't like that or I don't agree [32:50] with that, he will be ready to jump in [32:54] and and and say his [32:56] point. I had to I had to get the whole [32:59] thing [33:00] out. Couldn't be in conversation. [33:04] I said to him, I am the [33:09] boss. And that broke [33:14] him. He couldn't handle [33:17] that. He had been the boss my entire [33:21] life. He had been in charge of who I [33:23] fought. He had been in charge of my [33:25] financials. He had been in charge of my [33:28] contracts. He was the boss. So to for a [33:32] boss to hear that he's not the boss [33:34] anymore, that strained the relationship. [33:38] Oh, you don't want me to you don't want [33:39] me to be a part of your career anymore? [33:40] All right. Well, then [33:42] bye. That was his reaction. It shouldn't [33:45] have been that way, but that's how he [33:46] dealt with the disappointment and the [33:49] frustration of what I was doing, which [33:51] was going my own way. Then you have [33:56] the tragedy of my brother Sebastian [34:00] passing away. And this would have [34:02] happened [34:04] maybe a year or two after I sent that [34:09] letter. That affected him deeply. It [34:13] affected all of us deeply. [34:21] But yeah, it it affected him so [34:24] much [34:29] that, you know, you add those two things [34:32] together. He's already upset with how [34:33] I've spoken to him and what I'm doing in [34:35] my career. my brother passes away and [34:38] that caused him to do certain things in [34:40] his life [34:43] which you know I don't like talking [34:46] about it but I'm going to talk about it [34:49] because it was actually documented. If [34:52] it wasn't documented I wouldn't speak [34:54] about this and I've never spoken about [34:56] it. He started smoking [35:00] marijuana, I guess, to [35:04] um deal with [35:07] the hardship of losing a [35:10] son. Everybody deals with these things [35:12] in their own ways. I can't fault him for [35:15] that. [35:17] But I I think that [35:20] that, you know, that changed him as as a [35:23] man in terms of his mindset. [35:27] And it caused it caused an even bigger [35:31] gap between us [35:33] which you know we never recovered from [35:37] up [35:38] until last [35:41] weekend. Since that night before the [35:44] night the fight and every day since then [35:48] it's been all love between me and my old [35:50] man which is incredible to think. [35:55] You know, I was in hospital for two days [35:58] after the fight. He didn't leave the [36:01] hospital. And when I say didn't leave [36:03] the hospital, I mean like he's sleeping [36:07] on, you know, one of these [36:11] stretches outside my [36:14] room, just in the [36:20] hallway. That means everything to me. [36:25] regardless of the differences and the [36:27] and the things that have been said and [36:29] done. You know, a man who is going to [36:32] stay by his son like [36:34] that, that's [36:36] love. You know, it's been so long since [36:40] I've had that type of feeling with him. [36:44] And you only get one [36:46] father. So now we are going to build. [36:49] We're going to build. We're going to [36:51] build. And I think our relationship is [36:53] only going to get stronger and stronger [36:54] and stronger. I said it before the [36:56] fight. This fight is either going to [36:59] help us build or it's going to break us [37:01] even more. I don't know. It was up to [37:04] him really. And he chose for this fight [37:07] to be the thing that the catalyst for us [37:09] to be able to build. And I thank God for [37:12] that. Did his absence and hearing him [37:16] call you a disgrace and all of the stuff [37:17] he was doing in the media ahead of the [37:19] fight in many respects to stop the fight [37:21] it seemed at times? I I actually watched [37:23] an interview I think the day or the day [37:25] before the fight where he was in tears [37:28] kept saying to a boxing journalist that [37:31] the fight shouldn't go ahead and [37:32] expressing you know his concerns about [37:34] the fight [37:35] etc. Did it impact your mental health? [37:39] It was [37:40] upsetting. It was [37:43] distracting. It was horrible knowing [37:47] that, you [37:50] know, this deeply personal situation we [37:53] have is now fully public. It's all over [37:56] Tik Tok. It's all over [37:58] Instagram. You know, the [38:00] headlines Chris Eubank senior calls his [38:03] son a disgrace. You know, millions of [38:06] people are watching these interviews. [38:08] So, for sure, it affects your mental [38:10] health, your mental well-being. It's [38:13] negative and it's deeply personal, and [38:15] you don't want that in the public. It's [38:18] a it's it's one thing dealing with [38:20] family [38:21] issues, you know, between your family, [38:23] but when everyone else knows what's [38:25] going on, it's tough, you know, and and [38:28] it and it came out of me in that last [38:31] press conference, Connor Ben talking [38:34] about, ah, well, yeah, you just worry [38:35] about making weight. And at that time, I [38:38] was making weight. And I was in [38:40] pain. And I said, "I'm I'm in pain right [38:43] now, and I'm in going to be even more [38:46] pain tonight, and I'm going to be even [38:48] more pain tomorrow morning when I've got [38:50] to lose those last few pounds." I have [38:53] the actual quote here. You said, "The [38:54] weight is painful. I'll be in even more [38:57] pain tonight and tomorrow." The question [38:59] I ask myself is, "What is pain? I have a [39:02] 31-year-old brother that is buried in [39:04] the desert in Dubai. That's pain. I have [39:06] his son, Raheem, who is three, asking [39:08] why he can't see his dad. Why doesn't he [39:11] take me to school? That's pain. My own [39:13] father, a man I've idolized my entire [39:16] life, and we haven't spoken for years, [39:18] and he thinks I'm a disgrace. These [39:20] things are pain to [39:23] me. [39:25] Yeah. And you know, I am not an [39:28] emotional guy, especially not in [39:31] boxing, but in that moment, that's what [39:34] I'm thinking. [39:36] you know, yeah, this this weight cut and [39:38] this re rehydration [39:40] clause [ __ ] hurts, but guess what? It [39:44] isn't anything compared [39:46] to those three things that I listed and [39:49] all and and and the other things that [39:50] are going on in my personal life that [39:52] I'm having to deal with and struggle [39:54] with [39:56] um all while getting ready for this huge [40:00] fight. [40:01] So if I can if I can deal with those [40:06] things [40:08] then what is cutting weight? What is [40:12] dehydrating and starving myself to make [40:14] a weight? It's [40:16] nothing you know it's it's a it's a [40:19] moment of it's a moment of [40:23] discomfort. You know, my brother passing [40:25] away. Raheem not [40:27] understanding that his father is not [40:30] with us. Questioning, why doesn't he [40:33] take me to school? I see all these other [40:35] kids. They're coming into school with [40:36] the dads. Why does my dad take me to [40:38] school? Why can't I see my daddy? You [40:40] say he's at the office. Where's the [40:41] office? Let's go to the office and see [40:43] my daddy. My own [40:46] father. You he's a disgrace. These these [40:50] are these are moments. These are not [40:52] moments of pain. This is this is pain [40:54] that lives with you [40:56] forever. So that they're [40:59] incomparable, you know. So when [41:01] Conorman's talking about, I you know, [41:03] you just worry about making weight. [41:04] Don't worry about the weight, mate. The [41:06] weight's fine. I got I got a lot worse [41:09] issues than the weight. The weight's [41:11] going to come off. That I think that was [41:13] the first time that I kind of [41:15] got caught up a little bit in what was [41:18] going on in my life. [41:21] And um the people saw that and [41:26] they I guess they they loved seeing that [41:29] vulnerable side to me [41:32] uh because it's real and it's what it's [41:34] what millions and billions of people are [41:36] dealing with in their own [41:38] lives. So to see somebody who's a [41:40] fighter, who's big and strong and tough [41:43] having to go through the same things, [41:45] it's [41:46] uh you know, it's a it's a very it's a [41:49] humbling thing to see. [41:51] And it's one of the reasons why, you [41:53] know, when I'm walking to the ring, [41:54] there there are people [41:56] crying. His dad [41:58] came. His dad was there for him after [42:00] all that. They're [42:02] together. You know, I'm going to call my [42:05] dad after this fight. That's what people [42:06] tell me after the fight. I called my dad [42:08] straight [42:09] away. Haven't spoke to him for months, [42:12] years. Called him. [42:15] Were you thinking about your younger [42:18] brother in the buildup to the fight? And [42:20] as you walked out and during the fight, [42:21] does that come into your [42:25] mind? There is a [42:27] picture there was a picture of him on my [42:31] shorts right on the [42:33] side and he's [42:37] screaming and his name's on the bottom [42:39] of my shorts. [42:41] Sebastian. [42:47] Um, that fire, you know, I'm I'm looking [42:50] at that picture before I'm putting the [42:51] shorts on like, yeah, I'm using that [42:55] energy. This is for you. This is for [42:58] Raheem. This is for the family. This is [43:00] for the [43:01] Eubanks. I can't look at that [43:04] picture and lose. It's impossible. [43:10] It's [43:11] impossible. Raheem has had a big impact [43:13] on [43:15] you. [43:18] Massive. Never [43:21] thought Never thought that I could [43:23] experience the love and the [43:27] warmth that I have when I'm around [43:30] him. I was never the type of guy like, I [43:32] want, you know, I want I want a kid. I [43:34] want I want kids. I want [43:36] that. I never got it. [43:38] I just I guess I was just too busy with [43:41] my own life, my own career, my own [43:43] issues. Raheem comes into my [43:46] life. [43:49] Uh and it [43:51] just the love I have around [43:54] him, it makes me want to have my own [43:57] son. And Raheem is my son, but [44:00] biologically I want to have my own son [44:02] now because I love who I am and how I [44:04] feel when I'm around him. When I'm [44:06] teaching him things, when I'm taking him [44:08] to places and watching him grow and [44:09] watching him learn new words and new [44:12] expressions, it makes me really happy, [44:14] you know. And before Raheem, I thought [44:16] happiness was uh, you know, a big win at [44:20] a poker table or winning a fight or [44:23] going on some amazing [44:25] trip. and those do make me happy. But [44:28] it's it's a whole different level when [44:30] you're with another human being who you [44:34] love and you're getting to show him the [44:36] world and teach him things and watch him [44:39] grow. It's incredible. So, [44:42] um, yeah, I thank God for him every day. [44:46] Is it out in the the public domain the [44:49] circumstances around your brother's [44:50] death? [44:52] Uh, I'm I'm not 100% sure, but [44:57] um he dr he drowned. He drowned. He [45:00] drowned in Dubai. Yeah, he [45:05] um he had [45:08] uh I don't know if it was a heart [45:10] attack. It was like [45:12] a something happened with his [45:15] heart. And of all places, he's having a [45:18] he's swimming in the sea. [45:21] And he, you know, it it switched him off [45:24] for a second and that second he's [45:25] obviously in the water and he went under [45:28] and um [45:32] you know how insane is that? The the guy [45:34] you saw him? Yeah. Jack muscles. [45:38] He he makes his own green juices every [45:40] day. Uh alkaline. Alkaline. Yeah. That [45:44] was his nickname for anybody that's [45:46] alkaline. [45:47] Yes. You know, health fanatic. [45:51] And in a split second he's [45:55] gone. Uh it's just and it you know it it [45:59] just put things into perspective and it [46:01] just makes you appreciate and respect [46:03] life so much more because you understand [46:07] that it can be taken away at any any [46:11] time, you know. And it doesn't have to [46:13] be some crazy car crash [46:16] or, you know, it can just be you're [46:18] swimming. You know, you're swimming and [46:21] then you're not there [46:22] anymore. [46:25] Um, and it makes you live your life with [46:28] so much more respect and responsibility [46:31] and appreciation. [46:33] You know, before [46:35] that, I'd have days or weeks where I [46:38] would just, you know, I'd [ __ ] [46:40] around, waste time, video [46:44] games, [46:46] TV, you [46:48] know, around people I shouldn't be [46:50] hanging around [46:52] with, things that were not productive in [46:55] any way, shape, or form. And yes, you [46:58] still, you know, you still have to have [47:00] those moments in your life where you can [47:01] just kind of [47:03] do whatever. Nobody's, you know, [47:06] nobody's going to be righteous every day [47:10] of their lives. But what it what what [47:14] experiencing something like this does is [47:15] it makes [47:17] you aware of life and how precious it [47:21] is. And it just makes you strive to be a [47:24] better person so much more because you [47:27] know [47:28] that you know we have a finite amount of [47:31] time on this earth you know. So are you [47:33] going to make it [47:34] count? Are you going to make it count or [47:36] are you going to waste it? There are [47:38] people out there who would kill for the [47:42] lives that we [47:44] have. So how can you not be grateful? [47:47] How can you not be respectful and [47:49] responsible with your time? [47:51] You know, we are [47:53] free. We're free. We did it. We made [47:58] it. Billions and pe billions and [48:00] billions of people on this planet will [48:03] never know what it is to be free. And by [48:07] terms in terms of free, I mean, you [48:08] know, you're not waking up and working, [48:11] you know, 12-hour shifts just so that [48:13] you can eat to and [48:16] live. You know, we have free time. We [48:19] have leisure. We have [48:24] uh you know disposable [48:28] income. People don't have these [48:31] things. So you've got to be respectful. [48:33] You got to be grateful. You've got to be [48:36] responsible with what you're doing. With [48:38] all of this on your mind heading into [48:40] that fight, I remember the last before [48:42] the last fight was cancelled, you were [48:44] saying that you'd be at 60% for the [48:46] fight and you go in there and beat him. [48:48] What percentage were you at? And I'm [48:51] kind of coming back to this question [48:52] again because you're really trying to [48:53] get that out of me. Yeah. It's it's [48:55] really I am trying to understand if what [48:58] I saw was true. Like when I when I saw [49:00] you in those first couple of rounds, I'm [49:01] stood there kind of confused and [49:02] concerned at ringside cuz I'm like this [49:04] ain't how he used to look. This ain't [49:06] what you look like in the other fights. [49:07] In those early rounds, I was like, he [49:08] doesn't look like he has the same [49:10] strength and speed. Well, I had a, you [49:13] know, regardless of what happened [49:15] outside [49:17] of my training camp and all the things I [49:20] was going through, I had a rehydration [49:23] restriction. Explain this for people who [49:25] don't know. Explain what weight you're [49:26] at, right? You're you were at before the [49:28] fight, how much weight you cut, and then [49:30] what the restrictions say you have to [49:32] do. So, you know, and I'm I'm not saying [49:35] this uh [49:38] for sympathy or as an excuse. It was my [49:42] own doing. I take full [49:44] responsibility. And I say that [49:47] because they said, "We want to have a [49:51] weight or rehydration restriction on [49:53] you." You you can weigh in at the middle [49:56] weight limit of 160 [49:58] lbs, but the next but you can only put [50:01] on 10 lbs before the fight. Mhm. Usually [50:05] there's no restriction on what you eat [50:06] and drink. You just refuel and replenish [50:09] your body to as much as you can so that [50:11] you have full energy for the fight. What [50:13] weight do you walk around at? Just for [50:14] context. So in context, I usually put on [50:17] maybe 14 or 15 pounds after after a [50:20] weigh in. So I, you know, [50:23] I, but I could only put on [50:26] £10 for the fight. If I go over [50:29] the£10, I've got to [50:32] pay million dollar fine. But if I saw [50:34] you in the street in like two months [50:36] time, what weight would you be at? Well, [50:38] now if I'm not in a camp and I'm not [50:40] training, then I'll probably [50:42] be, I don't know, 180 185 pounds. Okay. [50:47] So 185. So, you've got to lose roughly [50:49] 25 lbs to get in shape for the fight to [50:51] make weight, which is, you know, it's [50:55] doable. It gets harder as you get older, [50:59] that's for sure. Your your metabolism [51:01] slows down. It becomes harder to shed [51:04] those last few pounds. And it was hard. [51:06] I I documented my weight cut for this [51:08] fight. You know, I was I was in I was in [51:12] sweatuits and I had to be wrapped in uh [51:16] in these heated sheets and I lay there [51:20] for half an hour and I'm just sweating [51:21] everything out and then I'm in, you [51:24] know, I'm I'm doing all these things to [51:26] just drain my body of of all the of all [51:29] the fluids and it's it's torture. You're [51:32] torturing yourself. You're literally [51:34] torturing yourself doing this. But [51:36] you've got to make the weight. If you [51:38] don't make the [51:40] weight, they're coming for that cash, [51:42] baby. You know, and that's what they've [51:44] done. [51:45] Unfortunately, they got me on [51:47] the on the middleweight limit. I was 05 [51:52] Z5 pounds over the middle limit. I [51:55] didn't mess up on the rehydration [51:57] clause. So, the next day, I didn't go [52:00] over the 10 pounds. But that the fact [52:02] that I had to restrict what I was eating [52:04] and drinking after my weigh-in that that [52:08] takes percentages off of your [52:11] performance naturally. You check in at [52:13] 160 pounds the day before and the [52:16] rehydration clause says is it 8:00 a.m. [52:18] the next day you have to weigh again. [52:20] Yes. So I I it was between 8 and 12. [52:23] Okay. Oh, so 8 and 12. Yeah. You have to [52:25] weigh again. So I think at 12:00 I [52:27] weighed in at 169.4. [52:30] Yeah. So, you can't gain more than 10 [52:32] pounds um overnight, which means you [52:34] can't be drinking too much or eating too [52:37] much of what you want to eat. There [52:38] should have been no rehydration [52:40] restriction in the first place. If you'd [52:42] said no to it, would the fight have [52:43] still gone ahead? Yes. So, why didn't [52:46] you say no to it? Why do you think [52:50] they paid you more? Absolutely. [52:53] How did you Did you get paid an eight [52:56] figure number for this fight? [52:58] Yes. Okay. H I was so confident in my [53:03] ability to beat Connor [53:05] Ben that I thought, you know what? If [53:08] you guys want a rate restriction so [53:12] badly, I'll let you have it. Did you get [53:15] paid the same? But you got to show me [53:16] the money. I'm not doing it for free. [53:19] You named your price, didn't you? I [53:21] heard. Yes, I did. And Turkey said, [53:22] "Yes." Yes, he did. At the first number [53:25] you named, you [ __ ] up. [53:29] I should have got oh man I could have [53:31] got cars or you know you should have [53:34] doubled it and then come down and met [53:36] them halfway. But that's the thing you [53:38] know when you're negotiating with [53:40] promoters or [53:43] broadcasters, you know, you come in high [53:46] expecting them to come in low and then [53:49] you you know I know this and then that [53:51] then that's usually what [53:55] happens. The Saudis are not they're not [53:59] normal people. They don't have normal [54:03] money. So a number that you think is [54:06] [ __ ] great to them [54:09] is just yala, you [54:12] know. [54:14] Um but again, I said I'm not greedy. It, [54:18] you know, they paid me, you know, [54:20] life-changing amounts of money. That's [54:23] another reason why I did what I did in [54:26] that [54:27] ring. I have a [54:30] duty to boxing, to the people, to the [54:34] fans. We can't be making the types of [54:36] money we're [54:38] making and and give half-ass [54:40] performances. Mhm. That's disrespectful [54:43] to people, to the sport, to the [54:46] fans. You know, we are blessed. We are [54:49] privileged to be in these positions. [54:53] earn earn your keep. [54:57] Do you get paid on the performance of [54:59] the fight as well or do you just get [55:00] paid a lump sum? How does how does it [55:02] work? Because you you called Turkey [55:04] Turkey, his excellency, you said a big [55:06] number, he says yes. Do you get [55:08] incentivized on how the fight does in [55:10] terms of pay-per-view? That is well that [55:13] that's all that all comes in the [55:14] contract. So, you know, you have your [55:16] purse. Yeah. And then you will agree [55:20] on if we get to 500,000 buys, then I get [55:24] a percentage. Okay? And then if it hits [55:26] 600, I get a percentage, you know. So [55:28] you work it you work it like that. Or [55:31] just say, "All right, well, we'll just [55:32] pay you this lump sum and then we get [55:34] all of the pay-per-view." Yeah. You [55:36] know, it just depends on how you [55:38] negotiate. And so you you got part of [55:40] the performance element as well. I'm not [55:43] going to go into details on that [55:45] specific part of the contract. In my [55:47] head, I'm trying to figure out how much [55:49] that one fight made you [55:52] because can you tell me how many [55:54] multiples it was more than your previous [55:56] fights? [55:58] I'm just trying to that give me sort of [56:01] an idea of the scale of this in terms of [56:04] a financial I mean it's eight you said [56:07] eight figures, right? So how much more [56:09] of a scale do you need? No, but I mean I [56:10] mean what do you normally get paid is [56:12] normally getting paid seven figures? [56:14] Couple couple million. Okay, fine. So, [56:17] this is like five times more potentially [56:20] minimum. Yeah, it was um you know, I [56:24] don't have to box again. Let's put it [56:26] that way. But the beautiful thing is at [56:29] 35 years old, I'm still [56:32] hungry. I'm still hungry for success in [56:36] the sport. I'm still hungry for [56:38] accolades. I'm still hungry to please [56:40] the fans. You know, a lot of [56:43] times it's happened throughout history. [56:46] Fighters will get paid big for a fight [56:48] and then they lose that hunger. They [56:51] lose that dedication, that respect for [56:55] the industry. Oh, well, I've done it [56:58] now. Now I'm, you know, let's go to the [57:01] club. Let's pop the bottles. Let's [57:03] celebrate. Let's travel. Let's buy this [57:05] car and this watch, this [57:08] house. Oh, it's gym today. I was [57:12] tomorrow. Tomorrow, tomorrow, it's okay. [57:14] It's okay. That's the trap that so many [57:18] fighters fall into. And that's why I [57:20] have so much respect for Floyd [57:22] Mayweather. He has made a disgusting [57:26] amount of money. And his performances [57:29] and his dedication never ever ever [57:32] changed. That is, you know, it's [57:34] incredible because guys, they make their [57:36] first million and their head's gone. Oh, [57:39] I made it. All right, cool. [57:41] No, it's not cool. You know, boxing is a [57:47] lifestyle. It isn't a one training camp. [57:50] It isn't one fight. It is a [57:55] lifetime of dedication and sacrifice. [57:58] Which is [58:01] why I never gave up going through all [58:03] the things I was going through leading [58:06] up to this fight. [58:07] because I know I've put the work in [58:11] since I was 14 years old. So, it doesn't [58:14] matter what's going on in these two [58:18] months. I've served my [58:20] time. I've been through the trenches [58:23] time and time and time and time again. [58:25] And I've always found a way to [58:27] survive. So, I'm going to do it now. [58:33] Not, oh well, there's weight clauses and [58:35] my dad is giving me issues and this and [58:38] that and that, so I, you know, this is [58:40] going to be tough. Maybe I shouldn't do [58:41] this. No, you're going to get through it [58:44] just like you got through that treadmill [58:45] run. Just like you got through that cut [58:47] in that fight, just like you got through [58:48] in that cramp in your leg in that [58:51] fight, you you build up a tolerance for [58:55] pain and suffering. You did look like a [58:58] man possessed at moments in the fight. [59:00] To me, you looked like a man that had [59:02] nothing left in the tank, but one that [59:05] was still possessed, as you've kind of [59:06] said, by something else. Because even [59:08] when it looked to me like there was no [59:11] energy left, your arms were still [59:12] swinging and you were still marching [59:13] forward. So, it was it was confusing. [59:16] It's always confusing to me cuz I when I [59:18] feel like that, like I don't have that [59:22] reserve tank, which was something else [59:24] like I actually can't swing my arms. [59:26] There was no reserve tank. There was [59:28] nothing left. What's what's going [59:30] through your head in those moments when [59:32] you you've got no energy, but Connor [59:35] Benner is in front of you and there's [59:36] still minutes left in the round. Are you [59:38] thinking? Is [59:40] it is it like a conscious? Yeah. What [59:44] are you thinking? You know, I remember [59:47] going back to the corner in the [59:50] uh maybe the eighth round, seventh or [59:53] eighth round, and I can hear my [59:57] trainer and my and my cornerman. Got to [60:01] use the jab, Chris. You just stand your [60:03] jab. You're good. Control the [60:06] jab. Use your [60:08] feet. I looked at him. I said, "It's too [60:11] late. [60:14] It's too late. I'm [60:17] sorry. What's going to happen is going [60:19] to happen. You'll [60:20] see. There was a look of [60:22] confusion on their [60:24] faces. You know, when you have an [60:26] instruction from a trainer and a team, [60:29] you're supposed to abide by it. So, when [60:31] I'm telling them it's too [60:33] late, what do you think it's too [60:36] late? I had already gone into war mode. [60:41] Once you once you [60:44] commit as a fighter, once you commit to [60:46] a [60:47] certain path you're going to walk [60:50] down, it's it's pretty much impossible [60:53] to then switch [60:56] back. I had a [60:58] cut from a headbutt. You know, the blood [61:01] was going down into my I couldn't [61:06] see. Fights can get stopped from cuts. [61:14] Soon as that cut happened, I knew that [61:17] there was no more boxing. There was no [61:19] more jabbing. There was no more [61:22] technicality. There was no more being [61:24] pretty with it. [61:26] Defense. [61:28] Nope. It's go time now, baby. We're [61:31] going to see how much this kid really [61:33] wants it. Because I want it. I don't [61:36] know how much he wants it. We're going [61:37] to find out. Let's find out. [61:42] come forward, you attack, you walk [61:44] through the punches. It doesn't look [61:46] good. Doesn't look pretty. It's not [61:49] boxing. It is trench warfare. You know, [61:53] when you're dehydrated as well after the [61:56] fight, my face is swollen up. And that's [62:00] not from the punches. That's [62:03] from severe dehydration. [62:06] It's this it's this this weird thing [62:07] where like when your body doesn't have [62:09] any moisture in it and you're [62:11] dehydrated, your face puffs up. I think [62:14] it's just the skin is weak and it just [62:16] puffs up. And that's [62:18] what what I was suffering with most in [62:21] hospital was [62:22] just complete dehydration. It got to a [62:26] point [62:27] where I was in the hospital and I was [62:29] lying in the [62:30] bed and they they had [62:33] um drips. IV drips to get all the the [62:38] liquid into your into your system. [62:41] And my bladder was full. Like I really [62:45] needed to [62:46] pee for about two hours. I'd get up, go [62:49] to the toilet, I stand over the [62:51] toilet. Come on, man. Come on. Would not [62:54] go. And I'm dying to go. That's how de [62:57] dehydrated it was. That my body would [63:00] not let any liquids, any moisture go. It [63:03] was holding on to [63:05] everything. There were [63:07] moments in that hospital where I'm [63:10] feeling, you know, I saw myself, I [63:13] caught myself in the mirror. I see my [63:14] face is all puffed up. This massive cut [63:17] across my eye. Got my headache is [63:19] crazy, you know, and I'm feeling sorry [63:22] for myself. I'm like, this is [ __ ] up. [63:24] You know, I got my family around me [63:26] there. You know, some of them are crying [63:28] and I'm like, this is really this is so [63:31] bad. I'm lying there. I've got my mask [63:33] on. Oxygen [63:36] mask. I can hear everything that's going [63:40] on. Somebody in a ward. Somebody gets [63:44] wheeled into the room next to me. And [63:46] it's only, you know, [63:48] it's there's no walls. It's like sheets [63:51] just separating. [63:52] I'm looking up. I'm like, "Oh man, this [63:55] is so [63:56] bad. Get me the morphine. Get me the [63:58] morphine." They can't get the They can't [63:59] get you the morphine until they sign off [64:01] on some stuff. So, I'm waiting there. [64:03] This is so bad. And then I hear the [64:05] doctor [64:07] say, "We have to operate on him now. [64:10] Otherwise, he's going to [64:13] die." I heard that from the other [64:16] room, and I thought, "Oh my [64:21] god, I'm I'm great. I'm blessed. I I [64:26] should not be feeling sorry for myself [64:28] at all because I, you know, I knew I was [64:32] in pain, [64:33] but there's a guy next to me. He's about [64:36] to [64:38] die. What am I doing feeling bad for [64:41] myself and complaining about a headache [64:43] and and a cut eye? He's about to die. [64:46] And I do I don't know, you know, they [64:47] they wheeled him off and I don't know [64:49] what happened to him. I you know, I pray [64:51] that he's okay. But that put everything [64:54] into perspective for me. You know, I'm [64:58] okay. I'm blessed. I'm going to be okay. [65:01] Quick one. I want to talk about [65:02] something we all need to take seriously, [65:04] which is cyber security. Whether you're [65:06] a first-time founder facing your very [65:08] first audit or a seasoned professional [65:10] who's been through it all, staying [65:11] compliant is getting more critical than [65:13] ever and more complicated, I have to [65:14] say. And that is where Vanta comes in, [65:16] who is a sponsor of this podcast. Vanta [65:19] takes the pain out of security [65:20] compliance, automating the tedious but [65:23] essential process of proving your [65:24] business is secure across over 35 [65:27] frameworks like SOCK 2 ISO [65:30] 2701. Centralize your workflows, answer [65:33] security questions up to five times [65:34] faster, and protect your business [65:36] without losing focus on growth. And this [65:38] is really a critical part of this. A new [65:41] IDC white paper found that companies [65:43] using Vant save over [65:46] $535,000 a year. and it pays for itself [65:49] in just three months. For a limited [65:51] time, my community gets $1,000 off Vanta [65:53] at [65:54] vanter.com/stephven. That's van [65:57] ta.com/stephven for $1,000 off. When you [66:00] talk about the fight, you say what we [66:03] did. You're referring to you and Connor [66:05] did. Have you got a newfound respect and [66:09] appreciation for him? Because before the [66:11] fight, that was certainly not the case. [66:15] I said it after the fight. I wasn't [66:17] expecting him to be able to do what he [66:19] did in terms of show the [66:22] heart and the determination and the will [66:25] to win. He never gave up. I didn't know [66:28] he had that in [66:30] him. I hadn't prepared for a 12 round [66:33] fight like that. I thought that I would [66:35] get to five or six rounds, he'd start [66:38] feeling the pace, and he'd look for a [66:40] way out. He did not do that. [66:45] So in that [66:48] respect I have respect for [66:53] him. The fight [66:58] finished. I did not shake his hand. I [67:01] didn't congratulate him. I didn't speak [67:03] to him. I didn't hug [67:05] him, which is what most fighters, pretty [67:08] much all fighters do after they fight. [67:11] And especially a fight like that, you [67:13] would expect [67:14] that. I couldn't do it. I didn't have it [67:17] in [67:18] me because in my [67:22] mind, you know, this kid is still a [67:25] drugs [67:26] cheat. He still tried to cheat in our [67:30] first fight. Failed two drugs [67:35] tests. Never owned up to it. Denied it. [67:39] Denied it. Denied it. No apologies. [67:41] There's no admittance, no matting [67:44] up. I can't forgive that. I can't [67:49] respect that. I can't shake that [67:52] hand until there is some [67:55] accountability. He's not going to give [67:58] it. You know, I have to set an example [68:01] to the kids that are watching this [68:02] fight, that are watching these scenes. [68:07] You know, if you cheat, if you take [68:10] performance-enhancing drugs, you don't [68:12] get [68:13] respect from me. I can't give you that [68:16] respect because there are kids who are [68:17] saying, "Oh, well, hold on. He was doing [68:19] drugs a couple couple years ago. He got [68:21] caught, but now it's okay." You know, [68:23] you So, this really did bother you. I [68:26] wasn't sure if that was just part of an [68:28] act to sort of promote the fight. you [68:29] would you know the egg slap the [68:32] constantly baiting him about this um the [68:35] voluntary anti the the doping ban that [68:37] he had. So July I think it was July 2022 [68:40] or September 2022 Connor Ben failed two [68:43] voluntary anti-doping tests for [68:45] clomophene testosterone boosting [68:48] substance and therefore the original [68:50] fight was [68:51] cancelled. Um the UK anti-doping [68:55] association formally suspended Connor [68:56] for a doping violation. They reinstated [68:59] Connor citing after citing egg [69:03] contamination and then reinstated [69:06] Connor's suspension following an appeal. [69:08] Ultimately, in November 2024, Connor was [69:10] cleared to fight after the panel ruled [69:13] that they had failed to prove [69:14] intentional use. I wasn't sure if you [69:17] were actually really bothered by this or [69:18] whether it was part of the promotion of [69:20] the fight. [69:22] Bothered is an understatement. Really? [69:24] Yeah. I don't hold grudges. [69:29] I am I am a man that can [69:33] forgive. Never forget, but I can [69:37] forgive. Um, but when it comes to [69:40] something as serious as drug cheating in [69:42] this sport, you saw what we had to go [69:44] through. [69:46] So if somebody's got something in their [69:48] system which is going to make them fight [69:49] harder, take more punishment, react [69:54] quicker, you know, that is a form [69:57] of attempted murder. In my [70:01] opinion, you're going into a [70:04] fight with extra weaponry. Is it [70:07] possible that he didn't intentionally [70:10] take something in your view? Have you [70:12] considered that? Do you know for me as [70:14] just an onlooker I saw him the emotional [70:18] impact it had on him. I saw him in [70:20] tears. I saw him talking about suicidal [70:22] ideiation after that came out. And there [70:25] was a part of me that did wonder for a [70:26] second maybe something did happen [70:28] because that is the reaction of someone [70:31] who is truly deeply devastated in a way [70:34] that an innocent person would be. And [70:37] imagine if he is innocent. Imagine if he [70:40] didn't intentionally take something. [70:43] You can be suicidal and [70:47] devastated after getting caught doing [70:49] something you shouldn't have done. You [70:52] can still have that [70:55] reaction. Let's say [70:59] that he did [71:03] unintentionally take these drugs. [71:07] Somebody slipped something into his [71:08] drink. [71:10] Somebody contaminated his eggs. [71:15] Somebody injected something into him [71:17] when he was at a doctor's appointment. I [71:19] don't know. However you want to, however [71:21] you want to fantasize [71:24] this beautiful [71:26] story. Let's say that this impossible [71:29] thing has [71:31] happened. As a fighter, as an [71:35] athlete, you only have a few jobs that [71:38] you have to [71:39] do. You have to train hard to go to [71:43] sleep on [71:46] time. You have to prepare. You have [71:49] to, you know, you have to [71:52] um make sure that your diet, your fluid [71:56] intake is on point so that you have the [71:59] energy to go into these uh to these [72:02] fights into these sporting events and be [72:04] able to compete at the highest ability [72:06] you can. Aside from that, there's not [72:09] much else we have to do as an athlete. [72:14] It's your [72:15] job to know exactly what you are putting [72:18] into your body. Whether it's food, [72:20] whether it's fluid, whether [72:22] it's drugs, you have to know. That's [72:25] your job. [72:27] So, if you're irresponsible enough to [72:29] let [72:31] somebody slip something by to where you [72:35] fail not one but two drugs tests, if [72:38] you're irresponsible enough for that to [72:40] happen, then you're still a cheat. Could [72:43] you shake his hand now? I I told you I [72:46] didn't shake his hand after the fight. [72:48] One, because he's never owned up to it. [72:51] And [72:53] two, you know, it's very likely that we [72:55] are going to be fighting again. You [72:57] slapped him with an egg in a press [72:59] conference beforehand and you were fined [73:01] £100,000 for that slap with the [73:04] egg. Do you regret the egg slap? [73:07] Worth every penny, my friend. Really? [73:09] Yeah. It [73:11] was a [73:13] symbol. It was It wasn't an act of [73:17] violence. It was an act of justice. It [73:20] was an act to make sure that for the [73:23] rest of his life he will never be [73:25] [Music] [73:26] able to forget what he [73:30] did. People will always [73:33] know he remember that time maybe human [73:36] hit him with an egg that will go that [73:37] will be with him for the rest of his [73:38] life and that's what he deserves for [73:40] failing those drugs tests. So many times [73:43] fighters, they fail drug tests, they [73:45] serve a little ban, they pay a fine, [73:47] they're back in the ring, and people [73:49] kind of just [73:51] forget, kind of just get swept under. [73:53] Oh, don't talk about that. Come on. You [73:55] know, he's doing so well now. Come on. [73:57] He served his time. No, no, no, no. This [74:01] kid is not He's not getting that. I'm [74:04] going to put this egg across his chin. [74:06] There's going to be pictures that are [74:08] going to circulate around the [74:11] world. That memory will stay with him [74:13] for the rest of his life. He will he [74:15] will always be known for that. Why was [74:17] it an egg? Why did he hit him with an [74:19] egg? Oh, cuz he was treating with drugs [74:20] and it was it was a contaminated egg or [74:22] something like that. I want that story [74:24] to live with him. There's a rematch [74:27] clause. I'm assuming the rematch clause [74:29] I don't know how these things work, but [74:30] I'm assuming you get paid the same [74:32] again. You get paid more. You get paid [74:35] more to do the rematch. Absolutely. [74:37] Really? Yeah. [74:39] You know this that's this is business. [74:41] You you know the fight will be bigger. [74:44] Okay. The fight will sell more [74:45] pay-per-views. It will sell more [74:46] tickets. It will there will be a you [74:49] can't you know you can't get paid the [74:52] same. If you lose, you get paid less. [74:56] That's how boxing works. So if you'd [74:59] lost this fight, you would have got paid [75:00] less. Absolutely. Significantly less. I [75:03] mean, it would still be incredible [75:05] numbers, but yes, you'd lose millions. [75:07] Millions if you lose the fight. For [75:09] sure. Interesting. But that's, you know, [75:11] that's not just because we're working [75:13] with the Saudis. That's boxing in [75:14] general. Yeah. You're, they say in [75:16] boxing, you're only as good as your last [75:18] fight. If you win, you can demand more [75:22] the next time. If you lose, well, you [75:24] lost, so we're going to give you this. [75:26] So, this rematch clause, if you decided [75:28] to walk away now or Connor decided to [75:29] walk away now, is there any penalty? [75:32] It's a good question. I don't know if [75:33] there's a penalty. May Well, yeah, I'm [75:36] maybe I could be sued. Okay. Yeah, [75:38] there's there's probably, you know, all [75:41] that stuff I have, you know, lawyers [75:43] that deal out all the all the small [75:45] print, but you know, in all [75:48] honesty, you [75:51] know, I was like, you guys want you guys [75:55] want to sign a rematch clause for this? [75:59] No one's going to want to see a rematch [76:01] after I do this what I'm going to do to [76:02] you. That's what was in my head. I was [76:05] like, they're contracting me. They have [76:08] to deliver a rematch. They have to pay [76:11] me a this this amount of money [76:13] minimum. This is amazing because I'm [76:16] going to go out there. I'm going to [76:17] blast this guy out and then, you know, [76:19] and people are probably aren't going to [76:20] want to see a rematch. So, this is [76:22] amazing that I'm going to actually get [76:23] it contracted in. Now, did you even [76:25] think that in the day before the fight [76:29] when you were [76:30] struggling? Did you even think you were [76:32] going to blow him out even when you were [76:35] struggling? That's how much I didn't [76:37] respect the um not even the ability cuz [76:42] I knew he had ability, but the mindset. [76:45] Were there people around you encouraging [76:47] you or floating the idea of you pulling [76:50] out of the fight because of your health [76:53] condition? [76:54] I never said I had a health condition. [76:57] You are, you know, kind of listening to [77:00] what I've said and that's what you've [77:01] taken away from it. I'm not confirming [77:03] or denying that. Just to make that [77:05] clear. [77:06] [Music] [77:11] Um, I'm not going to answer that [77:13] question either. Okay. So, does that [77:16] mean that there is going to be the [77:19] rematch this year? [77:22] I mean [77:24] contractually that is what is on paper. [77:27] Um Turkeykey's already booked the arena. [77:30] I hear he's already booked it in [77:32] September. I doubt that it's already [77:33] been booked but you know they have their [77:36] plans they have their direction and you [77:40] know with with the Saudis when they want [77:43] something they get it you know nobody [77:46] stops them from doing what they want to [77:48] do. So, um it's it's very likely that [77:52] that fight will happen again at some [77:54] point this year. And do you want that [77:56] fight next? I want what the fans [78:00] want. You know, if the fans want to see [78:03] it [78:04] next, who am I to to say no? You know, [78:08] it's um it's a fight that's inspired [78:12] people. [78:13] I got I got friends calling me up [78:15] messaging me, "Oh, my son I took my son [78:17] down to the boxing gym for the first [78:18] time today." Like, it's getting kids [78:20] into [78:21] gyms, you know? I never wanted to box [78:24] before. He plays football every day. Now [78:25] he's in the boxing gym and sending me [78:26] pictures of hitting the bags and stuff. [78:28] It's amazing. Crazy. How much better do [78:31] you think you could be as a percentage? [78:38] Um, if every, you know, dad's back in [78:41] your corner [78:43] now, you you're going to be a bit more [78:46] versed in, I guess, preparation with the [78:48] weight cut or whatever. You said there's [78:50] pointed out a few things you said you [78:51] would have done differently. Well, I I [78:52] fought him. I've lived with him for 12 [78:57] rounds. I know what he is, what he's [79:00] capable of. [79:03] So, in that aspect, the next [79:06] fight for me should be a hell of a lot [79:11] easier because, you know, I'm one of [79:13] them fighters. You know, all I need is [79:15] all I need is to experience it one [79:17] time and then I know what to do with [79:20] you. That's how I've always been, [79:23] especially in like sparring. Mhm. I [79:25] remember the first time the first time I [79:27] ever went into a gym. I can't remember [79:29] if I told you the story, but I I got my [79:31] ass battered for three rounds. The first [79:32] time I ever went to a boxing gym, but I [79:35] knew what he was. I knew how strong he [79:38] was. I knew how fast he was. I knew the [79:41] type of punches he [79:43] threw. So, after two months of training [79:46] and preparation, I got back into the [79:48] ring with that same guy and I battered [79:51] him. That's all I thought about, you [79:54] know. [79:55] So, I believe the same thing will happen [79:58] with Connor. I won the first fight and I [80:01] got to experience what he [80:03] is. There's so many things I know now [80:06] about him that I can practice, perfect, [80:09] tweak, tailor my performance to to take [80:13] advantage of his weaknesses. And he will [80:15] probably do the same with me. Yeah. But [80:18] my [80:20] experience is so more superior to what [80:23] he is in terms of what I've done and [80:25] what I've the guys I've faced. I know [80:27] how to capitalize on being with a ring [80:29] in a ring with somebody before that he [80:31] doesn't. I've been in rematches before. [80:34] I rematched Liam Smith who beat me in [80:37] the first fight. Uh and the second [80:41] fight blew him out of the water. So I [80:44] know what it is to do that. He doesn't. [80:46] Was Connor faster than you were [80:47] expecting? Yep. Was he stronger than you [80:50] expecting? Yep. [80:53] Stronger, faster, [80:56] tougher, and more most importantly [81:01] is more mentally [81:06] prepared and more mentally [81:08] willing to put it all on the line. That [81:11] was the most shocking thing to me. I [81:14] didn't think [81:16] he had that in him to stay in there and [81:20] show that [81:22] dog. We both had to be dogs at the end [81:24] of that fight and throughout the entire [81:27] fight. I didn't know he had any dog in [81:28] him. I thought he was the type of guy if [81:30] it's not going my way, I'm going to look [81:32] for a way [81:34] out. He's not that guy. [81:39] So, how does that feel know knowing now [81:41] that you're getting into the ring again [81:42] potentially in September this year with [81:44] someone who is absolutely unwilling to [81:46] quit? That is an absolute dog. That is [81:48] also learned from [81:51] you. Is there not an element of you that [81:53] goes, "Fucking hell, you know, I'd [81:55] rather avoid that. I've got eight [81:56] figures in the bank and you know, I [81:59] could I could buy a boat. I could chill [82:00] or I could go back in that ring with [82:02] that that dog and might bust my eye and [82:05] be back in hospital. I'm going to have [82:06] to go through the cut weight cut again [82:08] and the dehydration again. And it's [82:12] um exciting. You know, I'm sick in that [82:16] way in that I love being in these [82:21] positions [82:21] [Music] [82:23] where what's going to happen? Am I going [82:26] to be able to do it? I live for that. I [82:29] live for those moments. These are the [82:31] moments that when I'm 60, 70, 80 years [82:33] old, I'm going to look at and be like, [82:35] "Wow, I did that." You're sick in the [82:37] head. Well, you have to be sick to to be [82:41] in a fight like [82:43] that, come out of the ring a week later [82:45] and think, you know what? I can't wait [82:47] to do that again. That is kind of sick. [82:50] You know, I'm dehydrated. I'm cut. I'm [82:52] tired. I'm in pain. There's something [82:55] sick about it. But you have to [82:57] be you have to be wired differently to [83:00] be a fighter of any type of grade. You [83:04] can't be a normal human being. Most most [83:06] human beings when they're in painful [83:08] situations, what can I do to avoid that? [83:11] I want to get into it [83:13] more. See how far I can [83:17] go. Can he break me? No. But let's find [83:21] out if he can. So talk to me about the [83:25] walk out. The fight was legendary. The [83:27] buildup was legendary, but the walk out [83:29] was also legendary. I've seen I walked I [83:32] watched the walk out 50 times. Yeah, I [83:34] watched it like 15 times. It was iconic. [83:36] Wow. It made me fall in love with uh the [83:39] Dre song again. Yeah. Yeah. That's [83:41] that's that's that's my anthem. That's [83:43] the song I've been walking out to for my [83:45] entire career. So to have an orchestra [83:47] playing that behind me was special. Um [83:50] you had Simply the Best as well. Yeah. [83:52] Simply the best, which I'm guessing was [83:54] a last minute addition. Absolutely. We [83:56] we're supposed to have an artist. We we [83:58] were we had um we were in talks with [84:02] uh Central Sea. He was going to bring me [84:04] out really and then, you know, obviously [84:07] last minute, my old man [84:11] uh came into the picture and you know, [84:13] we had to cut out all these other things [84:15] we were going to do. Um your dad [84:18] requested a song, didn't he? So that's [84:20] the So he said so he said what do you [84:23] want from [84:24] me or what what do you think I want? He [84:27] said I said I don't know dad. You want a [84:29] hug? He said I don't want anything. And [84:31] then later on he said you know what [84:33] there's one thing. There's a song that I [84:36] want you to play at some point in the [84:39] walk [84:40] out. And I'm like here we go. We already [84:45] got Simply the Best. We've got a whole [84:47] orchestra for my song, Dr. [84:50] Dre. How How are we going to squeeze in [84:53] some random song I've never heard [84:55] of? But my old man's my old man. And I [84:58] was actually kind of [85:01] annoyed. Um because I'm like, you [85:05] know, the truth is you haven't been [85:07] around. You haven't been a part of the [85:08] fight. You haven't been a part of the [85:10] the whole setup. We've had all these, [85:13] you know, all these things, you know, [85:15] preparing for the show and now all of a [85:17] sudden, you know, you're coming in your [85:19] and and you're saying you want this [85:20] song. I'm like, you know [85:23] what, you being there is what's [85:25] important and if you're saying that's [85:27] what you want, we will find a way to put [85:30] it in. And I listened to the song and I [85:32] was like, I didn't get it. I thought [85:36] this is just just one of my old man's [85:37] kooky requests that you [85:40] know even on the [85:45] night I'm up on the stage we walk up [85:47] onto the stage and look out into the [85:49] crowd the simply the best song stops and [85:52] in my head I'm thinking oh man that [85:54] would have been so much better to just [85:55] keep that going you [85:57] know and then [85:59] this kind of [86:01] ethereal tune [86:05] pops out over the over the [86:08] stadium [86:12] and I'm looking out into the crowd and [86:15] I'm I'm starting to see people well [86:19] up like gez this guy how does this kind [86:22] of he always he always you know even [86:26] when you think he's crazy or wrong he's [86:29] right and this song was like it just it [86:34] worked [86:35] perfectly with the whole scene. Me and [86:37] my old man finally standing together and [86:39] there's this like peaceful song that [86:41] comes in and we're together and it's [86:43] like a beautiful moment that I never [86:45] thought would happen that wouldn't have [86:47] happened if it was just simply the best [86:49] cuz it's a different it's a different [86:50] vibe. You know, it took the energy out. [86:52] It took it down and it went boom and and [86:54] then for everyone to just focus on what [86:56] was actually happening. So, we're there [86:58] and we're listening to this song and [87:00] it's like it's an amazing it's an [87:02] amazing moment and then it dropped into [87:05] the orchestra. Yeah. And it it was just [87:07] perfect. I was like, "Wow." And then it [87:09] dropped into the beat as you started [87:10] walking. Yeah. It was iconic, you know. [87:12] And it's like you can't script this type [87:15] of stuff, you know? It's like people say [87:19] I keep hearing people say, "Oh, it was [87:20] like WWE like you know, but in real [87:23] life." And I've never watched WWE so I [87:25] don't really know what that means. But [87:27] someone was telling me, you know, oh [87:28] well, you know, obviously everything's [87:31] scripted, but they act like it isn't. [87:33] Yeah. So like the commentators and you [87:36] know this, but it's all so it was like [87:38] that, but it was real and it was [87:39] happening in front of everyone for the [87:40] first time. Everyone's like, and these [87:42] were real reactions. It wasn't it wasn't [87:43] fake, you know. It's crazy. The way your [87:46] dad like stepped out the car and put one [87:47] leg out and then you hear the [87:48] commentators like scream. It was Yeah, [87:50] it was even that moment. So, it's like, [87:53] you know, if I was on that side of the [87:56] car, cuz we're we're in the the [87:58] Rolls-Royce, but what if I was on that [88:00] side? So, then we park up and then it's [88:02] me that gets out. Obviously, it's it's [88:05] still a a very cool moment, but it's [88:07] it's different when [88:09] it's that was a good moment for him to [88:12] to to be shown, you know, and then I [88:15] come in from the side and we hug and we [88:16] walk in. And you couldn't hear that the [88:18] arena had erupted? No, I didn't know. I [88:20] I didn't know until uh until people were [88:22] talking about it. [88:24] Billy Joe, he tried to get into your [88:27] dressing room to do your hand wraps. [88:29] Caused a scene outside with our friend [88:31] Nappa. Um who I've known a long, long [88:33] time. Um Billy [88:36] Joe, you had a fight with him in the [88:39] past. Um contentious fight. He got the [88:42] decision in that fight, but it was a [88:44] contentious fight. How do you feel about [88:46] Billy Joe? [88:52] There's very few people in the sport in [88:54] the planet really that [88:56] I genuinely [88:59] dislike. He is one of those people. Who [89:02] do you dislike more, Connor Ben or Billy [89:03] Joe? Well, Billy Joe is a drug cheat, [89:08] too. [89:11] So, Billy Joe. Yeah, because not only is [89:15] he a drug gee, but he is actually a [89:19] real scummy human being, you know, and I [89:23] don't talk about anybody like this. So, [89:25] if I'm saying it about him, there's a [89:28] reason. He is a bad bad [89:31] person. A terrible advocate for the [89:35] sport. Just a just a real low-life human [89:38] being. [89:40] Um, and I don't say that about any of [89:43] the guys I fought. I'm not even saying [89:45] that about Connor. Even though he [89:47] cheated, he's still somebody that [89:52] um, you know, I can I can see some of [89:57] the things he does and I can see why [89:59] people will like him. There's nothing to [90:01] like about Billy Jos. And for that [90:05] reason, I would love to get my hands on [90:08] him because he does have a win over me [90:10] that I don't believe he deserves that [90:12] many people say that he doesn't deserve. [90:14] A lot of people say I won the fight and [90:17] it's kind of just something that's been [90:18] hanging over me for so long and I just [90:21] know that I can beat him and I just know [90:24] how much of an enjoyment it would be for [90:28] me to set that record straight. So, [90:32] that's another fight that's uh a [90:34] possibility in the future. So, if you [90:36] could draw the your future, if you could [90:39] plot your next three [90:41] fights and you you had to decide right [90:44] now, what would those next three fights [90:46] be? In a perfect [90:49] world, I feel [90:52] like the demand for this Connor Ben [90:55] fight is at an all-time high right now. [91:02] So, I feel like that would be the fight [91:05] to make [91:08] next. Then you have Canelo. That is a [91:11] fight that I've been wanting [91:13] for, you know, for [91:16] years. And uh I would love to share the [91:19] ring with that [91:22] man. And then we could throw Saers in at [91:25] the end of it. You know, [91:27] this one change has transformed how my [91:30] team and I move, train, and think about [91:32] our bodies. When Dr. Daniel Lieberman [91:34] came on the diio, he explained how [91:36] modern shoes with their cushioning and [91:38] support are making our feet weaker and [91:40] less capable of doing what nature [91:42] intended them to do. We've lost the [91:44] natural strength and mobility in our [91:46] feet, and this is leading to issues like [91:48] back pain and knee pain. I'd already [91:51] purchased a pair of Viva barefoot shoes. [91:53] So, I showed them to Daniel Lieberman [91:54] and he told me that they were exactly [91:56] the type of shoe that would help me [91:57] restore natural foot movement and [91:59] rebuild my strength, but I think it was [92:00] planticitis that I had where suddenly my [92:02] feet started hurting all the time. And [92:04] after that, I decided to start [92:05] strengthening my own foot by using the [92:07] Vivo Barefoots. And research from [92:08] Liverpool University has backed this up. [92:10] They've shown that wearing Vivo Barefoot [92:12] shoes for 6 months can increase foot [92:14] strength by up to 60%. [92:16] Visit [92:18] vivarefoot.com/doac and use code diary [92:21] 20 from my sponsor for 20% off. A strong [92:24] body starts with strong feet. This has [92:27] never been done before. A newsletter [92:30] that is ran by 100 of the world's top [92:34] CEOs. All the time people say to me, [92:36] they say, "Can you mentor me? Can you [92:38] get this person to mentor me? How do I [92:39] find a mentor?" So, here is what we're [92:41] going to do. You're going to send me a [92:43] question. And the most popular question [92:45] you send me, I'm going to text it to 100 [92:48] CEOs, some of which are the top CEOs in [92:51] the world running a hundred billion [92:52] dollar companies. And then I'm going to [92:54] reply to you via email with how they [92:57] answered that question. You might say, [92:59] "How do you hold on to a relationship [93:01] when you're building a startup? What is [93:03] the most important thing if I've got an [93:04] idea and don't know where to start?" We [93:06] email it to the CEOs. They email back. [93:08] We take the five, six top best answers. [93:09] We email it to you. I was nervous [93:11] because I thought the marketing might [93:13] not match the reality, but then I I saw [93:15] what the founders were replying with and [93:16] their willingness to reply and I thought [93:18] actually this is really good and all [93:19] you've got to do is sign up completely [93:22] free. I have to play you this video [93:26] which has gone viral. You know this [93:28] video. I ask you, I mean, I often tell [93:31] Christopher that um boxing is a business [93:35] that um you never see middle class or [93:38] upper class youngsters become champion [93:41] because you need hunger. You need to be [93:43] hungry. Um and the fact that you've kind [93:45] of been brought up within these four [93:47] walls here and you've been protected, I [93:49] don't think you're going to be hard [93:50] enough. I just want to try it. I just [93:52] want to see what it's [93:53] about. I mean, if he can, if my leg can [93:56] do, why can't I do it? [93:59] That's the argument I've so many people [94:03] come to understand. You take a beating. [94:04] Is this what it's about? Nothing. [94:07] And I hope I hope you're not stubborn [94:10] and kind of uh That's what you are. [94:12] You're stubborn and bullheaded and [94:14] that's why you made it. Yeah, but I [94:15] don't want him to. So, you're saying he [94:17] now you don't want him to be stubborn [94:18] and bullheaded? Listen, you know, for [94:21] the guys who don't make for the guys who [94:23] don't make it in boxing, you know, it's [94:26] tragic. It's a tragic business to be in. [94:28] I know you're convinced he's not going [94:30] to make it. Just let him go until he [94:32] wears himself out of it and he's not [94:34] bothered anymore. Yeah. And by then all [94:36] those good-looking features would have [94:38] gone. You know what they say? Let me [94:39] tell you what, trust me. Don't you [94:41] crust? Just leave it alone. And you know [94:43] what? Remember what they said, right? [94:45] Okay. Am I Am I bad looking? [94:48] Okay. Why are you putting that into the [94:50] kid's head? Because I don't want him to [94:51] fight. I don't want to fight. Everyone [94:53] gets hurt. Everyone get deflated. [94:55] Anybody get used? What you're saying is [94:57] irrelevant at this time. [95:00] It's irrelevant. Yeah. Why? Because you [95:02] made that happen. It's like worrying [95:03] about what might not happen. You Let me [95:05] Let me just bring this point to you for [95:07] a minute. I would never want when I have [95:11] kids for my child to be in the car. So, [95:16] what do I do? I say, "I'm not buying you [95:19] a car and you can't drive." Is that the [95:20] right thing to do? I want to try it. [95:28] It's It's a really any Okay, I will I [95:30] will [95:31] um I'll let you try. All you've got to [95:34] do is tell me a word. If you tell me, [95:36] I'll help you. [95:38] Okay, Dory said yes. Stop saying do you [95:41] say no? I want to do it. You want to do [95:43] it? Yeah. [95:46] Okay. I've won to [95:49] watch. You'll be one to [95:52] watch. My wife throw her blood in mock. [95:56] What's going on there in that video that [95:59] I just played? [96:02] Fear. That's a father who is is thinking [96:06] about all the things he's gone [96:08] through and fearing that his son will [96:10] walk into [96:13] that, you know, into that industry, walk [96:15] down that path and have to go through [96:17] all those things that he went through [96:18] that he worked so hard to kind of keep [96:21] his family away from. So you got Lennox [96:23] Lewis siding with you and that's your [96:26] mother. Yeah. And she's also trying to [96:28] persuade him to let you have a shot at [96:30] boxing. When you watch that video now [96:32] after everything that happened with the [96:34] fight we just all watched where there [96:36] was almost 70,000 people in an arena, [96:38] people watching all over the world. It's [96:40] been this global phenomenon, not just in [96:42] the UK, but I was in America and New [96:43] York this weekend and it's people are [96:45] talking about it there. How does it feel [96:47] to look back at that video? [96:50] Uh, it's scary, man. It's [96:54] scary. I mean, everything he's saying is [96:57] right. He's completely right. You [97:01] know, boxing is a tragic sport for the [97:03] people that are making you get [97:05] disfigured and used. Um, you know, [97:09] disfigured. I've been used plenty of [97:11] times. [97:12] It's scary [97:15] to to think about how far we've come [97:18] from that moment in [97:20] time. Um, all the things I've gone [97:23] through, all the things I've [97:25] done. [97:26] And you know, he has he had every right [97:30] to feel the way he did [97:34] because champions hard men don't come [97:39] from those backgrounds that you saw that [97:42] that was filmed in a multi-million pound [97:47] house. You know, I I went to private [97:50] school the next day after that [97:51] interview. [97:54] Kids that live that life [97:57] don't accomplish anything in such a [98:01] barbaric sport because there's just too [98:03] much pain and suffering you have to go [98:06] through and there's too many times [98:10] where naturally you'll look for ways [98:12] out. [98:14] Now the kids that come from broken [98:16] homes, [98:18] poverty [98:19] and you know [98:22] nothing, they don't have any door other [98:24] doors to open and walk through. So when [98:27] they go to the gym and when they go into [98:29] these [98:31] fights, if I don't get through this [98:35] door, I don't [98:37] eat. I can't pay the [98:40] rent. Can't feed my family. [98:43] For [98:44] me, when I'm looking at that door that I [98:47] have to go through, whether it's in a [98:49] gym or in a [98:52] fight, I know that if I don't make it [98:55] through that [98:57] door, there's a door there and a door [99:00] there and a door there and a door [99:03] there. And if I'm experiencing too much [99:05] pain to get to that door knob to open [99:08] it, I can just step back. You know what? [99:11] All right, let's go over here. [99:14] Football, [99:17] business, [99:19] acting. I could do whatever I wanted [99:21] with the position I was in as a [99:24] kid. I still wanted to walk through that [99:28] horrible, painful, nasty boxing door and [99:32] open that door. and you walk through the [99:34] door and you get punched in the stomach [99:37] and you go through that and then you got [99:39] to walk through the other door and you [99:40] get cut above your eye and just keep [99:43] walking, keep walking, keep walking, [99:44] keep walking and there's all these other [99:46] doors. Hey, come come come come. We just [99:48] just just take the easy route. Take the [99:50] easy route. No, I'm staying [99:52] here. So, it was so much harder for me [99:54] to do what I was doing because there was [99:56] so many other choices. And my father [99:59] thought [100:01] that as soon as I reached that first [100:04] door, I'd be like, you know what? No, he [100:07] said it. I'm not going to be hard [100:09] enough. And nine times out of 10, kids [100:13] are not hard enough in that in that [100:14] position. But I was I was hellbent on [100:18] proving him wrong and [100:21] proving and proving myself right. I knew [100:24] I had in me. I felt what I had in me [100:27] anyway. didn't know. You never know [100:29] until you're you're in those positions. [100:31] But I just the strength and [100:34] the, you know, that that feeling inside [100:37] of me was so it was so visceral. I was [100:40] like, there's no way I can't do this. [100:42] Like if I just if I put everything into [100:44] this, how can I fail? Maybe he was [100:46] calling you bluff. That's the another [100:49] crazy thing that I used to think about. [100:50] Did he was he was he saying this to make [100:53] me [100:57] to make me push harder because he's [100:59] thinking, "All right, well, if I if I [101:00] say, oh, he'll be great. When he gets to [101:03] those painful [101:05] positions, he's already kind of got [101:08] my or I've already got his his his [101:11] blessing." So, it's like, "Oh, well, you [101:13] know, he's he's behind me anyway [101:15] regardless." So, you know, I tried my [101:17] best. Or does he want me to be at that [101:20] front door thinking like, "Oh, man. He's [101:23] he said I couldn't do it. [101:25] Am I going to let him be right? No. [101:27] Well, he did put a chip on your shoulder [101:29] in that regard. For sure. Massive. [101:32] Massive. [101:33] I saw the press conference with you and [101:35] um Eddie Hearn and I also saw the one [101:37] with where Eddie Han walks off and then [101:38] Frank Smith comes in. Frank Smith is [101:40] like your brother-in-law. [101:43] Unfortunately, yes, he is. You and my [101:46] sister have been together for a long, [101:49] long time, which [101:51] is an extremely wild thing to think that [101:55] the CEO of Matroom Boxing is basically [101:59] your brother-in-law. Yeah. You know, do [102:02] you get along? No, absolutely not. You [102:04] don't get along? No, we were okay. We [102:07] were fine for a couple of years, for for [102:09] a number of years. You know, I even [102:11] spent Christmases with them. [102:14] Um but it got to a stage [102:18] where I started to [102:21] see [102:22] Matram Eddie Hearn and [102:25] himself trying to block me in terms of [102:28] the business side of the sport. You know [102:31] I am [102:32] with a promotional company called Boxer. [102:36] Boxer and Matrim which is Eddie Hearn [102:39] and and Frank Smith [102:42] are you know deathly enemies. They are [102:47] arch [102:47] [Music] [102:49] rivals. So they do anything they can to [102:53] screw over [102:55] Boxer. I'm with Boxer. So Frank Smith is [103:00] trying to [103:01] sabotage or was trying to sabotage [103:04] certain things going on in my career. [103:08] Um being a part of Matram. As soon as I [103:10] learned [103:12] that it doesn't matter that you're in a [103:14] relationship with my sister, we are not, [103:17] you know, we are never going to talk [103:19] again. Uh we are never going to be [103:21] cordial again. Um you are working [103:24] against me. He was sitting in that arena [103:27] on Saturday [103:29] night praying that I lose. Why didn't [103:32] you sign to Matroom? Did you try? They [103:35] they they offered. Why did you say no? I [103:39] don't trust Eddie Hearn. I don't trust [103:41] Frank Smith. I don't trust [103:43] Matram. These people are [103:47] um they're dangerous. [103:51] Um, [103:54] and you know, it's it's it's crazy to [103:57] think that yeah, he is with my sister. I [104:00] don't know how that relationship came [104:02] about, but love is a peculiar thing. And [104:06] you're good with your sister, obviously. [104:07] Of course. Of course. She was there in [104:10] your corner for the fight. Yeah. And I I [104:12] was actually thinking I'm going to ask [104:15] her, you know, how does it go? like, you [104:18] know, you guys go back home together, [104:21] you guys are lying in [104:23] bed, I've just won, Connor Ben's just [104:27] lost. What do you guys like say to each [104:30] other? You know, like cuz Frank is [104:32] distraught that that that that Connor [104:34] Ben lost, you know, that's their golden [104:36] boy. That's their [104:38] ticket. You know, I'm my sister's I'm my [104:41] sister's brother. So, it's like you've [104:43] got two completely opposite sides in the [104:46] same bed. What do you guys say to each [104:48] other? You know, it's it's just I want [104:50] to ask her that question. We have a [104:52] closing tradition on this podcast where [104:53] the last guest leaves a question for the [104:54] next guest, not knowing who they're [104:55] leaving it for. And the question left [104:56] for you is, if you could listen to one [104:59] album for the rest of your life, what [105:01] would it be and why? [105:04] One album for the rest of my life, it [105:06] would have to be something timeless, [105:08] something that can [105:11] be something that lasts, you know? So, [105:13] it would have to be something like [105:14] Michael Jackson thriller, you know, a [105:17] classic, something that in 200 years [105:19] time you're going to still have kids [105:21] listening to it that yeah, this is this [105:23] is my jam right here. [105:25] Um, yeah, I guess that would be the [105:28] album. Chris, uh, thank you so much for [105:31] giving all of us as boxing fans a moment [105:35] that we will never forget. I I do have [105:37] to say I've been to a lot of boxing [105:38] fights all over the world and one of my [105:40] favorite fights was this Lachenko fight [105:41] that I saw in New York but without a [105:43] shadow of a doubt that is the best [105:45] boxing fight I've ever seen in person [105:47] and not just because of the fight itself [105:49] but because of all of the subplots and [105:51] all of the inspiration it gives [105:52] everybody. Um watching you go into that [105:56] 12th round with Connor and give [105:58] everything when it was so abundantly [105:59] clear that you had nothing in the tank [106:02] sends a message to all of us that [106:03] there's so much more within us that we [106:04] probably don't always realize. And [106:06] sometimes it takes, you know, the family [106:08] legacy or something deep and and [106:11] profound and meaningful for us to find [106:12] that in ourselves. But even as you [106:14] talked about the, you know, I've had [106:16] certain, you know, challenges with my [106:17] family's family over the years and with [106:19] my parents, with my mother and these [106:20] kinds of things and there's been [106:21] fractures and years where I was disowned [106:23] and all these kinds of things. And I saw [106:24] myself in all of that. You know, my my [106:26] my mother had um some struggles that she [106:29] went through which was somewhat similar [106:31] in elements to the struggles that your [106:32] father went through. And I know what it [106:35] feels like. I know what it feels like. [106:37] So, it just gave it gave everybody so [106:39] much. And I'm so glad you've been able [106:40] to get out onto the streets for the [106:42] first time since the fight and feel that [106:44] because you brought so much joy. Both of [106:45] you, both you and Connor, both so much [106:47] joy, so much inspiration and memories [106:49] that I will tell my kids about and I'll [106:51] say, "I was there for that fight." And [106:53] I'm so happy for you as well because I [106:54] know the career journey you've been on [106:56] and the twists and turns and everything. [106:57] So, I'm so glad that the public got to [107:01] know all of you. not just the the [107:05] coldfaced guy that you know throws a [107:08] good uppercut, but the human as well. [107:11] And it's in part, I think, because of [107:13] some of the difficult moments you've [107:14] been through that you've stepped out a [107:16] little bit more and become more [107:17] comfortable with showing the world all [107:19] that you are. And that's the most [107:20] valuable, Chris, that I think um the [107:22] world can see. So, thank you. Really, [107:24] really appreciative. And I can't wait to [107:26] see these next couple of fights you have [107:28] as you close out what has been a [107:29] remarkable [107:30] career. Thank you. [107:32] [Music] [107:36] This has always blown my mind a little [107:37] bit. 53% of you that listen to this show [107:40] regularly haven't yet subscribed to the [107:42] show. So, could I ask you for a favor? [107:44] If you like the show and you like what [107:45] we do here and you want to support us, [107:47] the free simple way that you can do just [107:48] that is by hitting the subscribe button. [107:50] And my commitment to you is if you do [107:52] that, then I'll do everything in my [107:53] power, me and my team, to make sure that [107:55] this show is better for you every single [107:57] week. We'll listen to your feedback. [107:59] We'll find the guest that you want me to [108:00] speak to and we'll continue to do what [108:02] we do. Thank you so much. [108:05] [Music] [108:24] [Music]