NIGEL BENN has, surprise, given his full-hearted blessing to his son Conor to take on the much larger offspring of bitter rival Chris Eubank.
Wally Downes Jr, my colleague, revealed yesterday in SunSport that Conor Jr and Chris Jr will be meeting in a catchweight war on Oct. 8, likely at London's O2 Arena (20,000 seats).
Conor Benn is expected to gain 156 pounds after previously fighting at 147lbs
Chris Eubank Jr. looks ready to drop from 160 lbs to the catchweight bout
This controversial clash would undoubtedly rekindle the animosities that engulfed boxing fans 30 years ago.
We will always remember those intense battles.
Both camps were full of animosity during pre-fight buildups.
The idea of the Eubank and Benn boys trying to recreate those bygone days, as their fathers watched, is a money-making scheme that seems cynical. There wouldn't be any title.
It's obvious that a showdown between junior boxers from these boxing dynasties will have huge box-office appeal and be viewed by a large audience.
Eubank Jr. said, "What boxing fan wouldn't like to see it?" They are both boxing legends and their sons fight each other.
Chris Jr. is keen to see it happen for many reasons, other than the shared fortune.
It is his superior height, reach, and weight.
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Conor is a small, welterweight fighter while Chris Jr. has fought at supermiddleweight. This makes a huge discrepancy of 21lb between the 10st 7lb division and the 12st.
Before contracts can be signed, there would need to be an agreement on the weight at which they will fight - this is likely to cause heated arguments.
Chris Jr. would undoubtedly be more than one stone heavier than Conor when they reached the top of the ropes.
This is why there should be reservations about this children confrontation. It's also why I expected Nigel not to be against Conor being faced with such a physical disadvantage.
However, when I called Conor at his Sydney home to ask his thoughts, I was shocked that Conor is so excited about the prospect of such a daunting task.
Nigel stated that Conor would not be afraid to go in with Eubank's boy. It is something I actually welcome.
"I'm familiar with the old saying that a big man can beat a small one, but it's an old-fashioned view.
"I went up from middleweight to super-middleweight, and Chris Jr. won the world title at super-middleweight.
"Manny Pacquiao was crowned world champion in eight weight categories, from flyweight towelterweight. Canelo Alvarez began at welterweight and became the world light-heavyweight champion.
There are many other examples.
"So Conor has my complete support because I know that if they meet, he's more capable than Eubank's boy."
Imagine the sheer chaos that would ensue in the days before the opening bell, if Benn or Eubank's children get their act together.
Chris Sr may even make his monocle, jodhpurs, and riding boots from mothballs to mark the occasion.
