Eubank Jr. beats Benn by unanimous decision in latest chapter of family rivalry

LONDON (AP) — In a new chapter of a British boxing family feud, Chris Eubank Jr. earned a unanimous decision over Conor Benn in a middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Eubank (35-3) handed Benn (23-1) his first professional loss in a brawl for bragging rights under the lights more than 30 years after their fathers shared the ring in two memorable slugfests.

All three judges scored the non-title fight 116-112 after a spirited 12-round affair in front of 67,484 fans.

“I didn't know he had what he had in him. I underestimated him,” the 35-year-old Eubank said.

In November 1990, Eubank senior beat Nigel Benn by a ninth-round stoppage in Birmingham to take the WBO middleweight title. The rematch was three years later in front of 45,000 fans at Old Trafford. It ended in a split-decision draw.

Both dads were on hand Saturday. The surprise, though, was Chris Eubank accompanying his son to the ring. Senior called his son’s antics at an earlier press conference “a disgrace,” and Junior this week said they were not on speaking terms.

“I’m happy to have this man back with me. Onwards and upwards,” Junior said.

His father added: “That’s my son. That’s why I’m here. I was always going to be here.”

The sons’ bout was originally set for 2022 but was scrapped after Benn’s voluntary urine test showed trace amounts of the fertility drug Clomiphene, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels while burning fat.

Benn argued successfully that his consumption of eggs elevated his testosterone levels.

At their first media face-to-face. Eubank pulled out an egg and smacked it on Benn’s face. It was costly. The British Boxing Board of Control fined him 100,000 pounds ($130,000).

The 28-year-old Benn, usually a welterweight, came up two divisions for the fight. He last bout was more than a year ago.

“Maybe 14 months out of the ring played a factor,” Benn said. “I believe I can fight at 160 (pounds). I'd love to avenge that loss.”

Nigel Benn said his son was “working too much on the ropes.”

“You come back stronger,” he said. “We can handle defeat gracefully. We go back to the drawing board.”

AP boxing: https://apnews.com/hub/boxing

Conor Benn, left, and Chris Eubank Jr. fight during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Conor Benn appears dejected after losing a middleweight bout against Chris Eubank Jr. at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Chris Eubank Jr. is lifted by Chris Eubank Sr after winning a middleweight bout against Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Chris Eubank Jr., top, and Conor Benn fight during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Chris Eubank Jr, accompanied by his father, Chris Eubank Sr., walks out ahead of his middleweight bout against Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Chris Eubank Jr., left, lands a punch on Conor Benn during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Conor Benn, right, lands a punch on Chris Eubank Jr. during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Chris Eubank Jr., left, and Conor Benn fight during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Chris Eubank Jr., right, lands a punch on Conor Benn during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes test beginning Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He didn't go quietly.

The Pakistan-born Khawaja, who was the first Muslim to play for Australia, used his retirement announcement Friday to criticize the “racial" stereotyping he experienced during his career.

It will be the 39-year-old Khawaja's 88th and final test — played at the ground where he began his first-class career. Khawaja scored his first Ashes century at the SCG with 171 against England in 2018.

It was also at that the SCG where he revived his career at age 35, scoring two centuries against England. That prompted one of the great late-career revivals, as Khawaja hit seven centuries in his next two years back in the side.

But Khawaja’s position had come under scrutiny and criticism this season after being unable to open in the first Ashes test in Perth due to back spasms and then missing the Brisbane test with the injury.

He was then initially left out in Adelaide until Steve Smith’s vertigo allowed Khawaja to return, before an 82 in the first innings there ensured he would stay in the side for the fourth test in Melbourne. Australia, with a 3-1 lead going into the fifth test, has retained the Ashes.

Khawaja said he felt he was treated “a little bit different, even to now,” because of his Pakistan and Muslim background.

"Different in the way I’ve been treated, different in how things have happened,” he said at a media conference in Sydney. “I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me . . . I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in.

“Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, colored players...we’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough."

Khawaja said he knew the end of his career was imminent.

“I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series," he said. "I’m glad I can go out on my own terms.”

Khawaja has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.49 in his 87 tests with 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries.

“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters . . . and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

“Usman has been one of Australia’s most reliable opening batters and testament to his success was him being named ICC test cricketer of the year the same season that Australia won the World Test Championship (in 2023).”

Khawaja said his No. 1 emotion on announcing his retirement was “contentment.”

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. "I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja with his wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla after announcing that he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja, centre, sits with teammates after announcing he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja warms up during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Travis Head, right, is congratulated by teammate Usman Khawaja after reaching 50 runs during play on day three of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Usman Khawaja sign autograph to fans after they won the third Ashes cricket test match against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/James Elsby)