The Press Conference Chaos
On Thursday, the usually glamorous world of boxing press conferences took an unexpected and chaotic turn when Chris Eubank Jr. decided to throw an egg at Conor Benn. This bizarre incident occurred amidst the mounting tension surrounding their upcoming fight, and it didn’t take long for the situation to spiral out of control. Conor Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, was visibly upset and even went so far as to confront Eubank Jr. and his team. Hearn’s initial reaction was fueled by the mistaken belief that the object Eubank Jr. had thrown was a glass, which shattered around Benn, rather than the harmless egg it turned out to be.
Eddie Hearn’s Furious Reaction
During the incident, Hearn was seen looking in the direction of Ben Shalom, another promoter, before shoving him. Hearn later explained that his intention was not to attack Shalom but to reach Eubank Jr. who, he believed, had just assaulted his fighter with a dangerous object. The security team quickly stepped in to separate the fighters and their teams, but Hearn’s anger was palpable and didn’t dissipate even after the press conference concluded. In an interview with The Stomping Ground, Hearn voiced his frustration, stating, “He’s been whacked around the face with an object in his eye, and they’re not very happy about it.” Despite the egg being a relatively harmless prank, Hearn’s concern for Conor Benn and his father, Nigel, was evident.
A Case of Misinterpretation
Hearn’s reaction can be attributed to a moment of panic and misinterpretation. He described the scene, saying, “At the press conference on Thursday, we have to have precautions in place because if Conor and Nigel see Eubank, it’s on. At the time, I thought it was a glass. It shattered everywhere. He’s got someone to buy him an egg. He’s gone up on the stage. Everybody on his team knows what he’s about to do, and he’s hit him around the face with an egg.” The initial confusion about the object only amplified the tension, making Hearn’s response more intense than it might have been otherwise. The promoter was clearly shaken by the incident and wanted to ensure that his client and his family were protected.
Shalom’s Denial
When confronted about the incident, Ben Shalom, who was unexpectedly shoved by Hearn, maintained his innocence. He claimed that he had no prior knowledge of Eubank Jr.’s plans and seemed genuinely bewildered by the accusation. Shalom’s demeanor during the confrontation and his subsequent denial made him appear credible. Hearn, however, was still convinced that the entire Eubank Jr. team was complicit in the prank. He stated, “I wasn’t going to have a fight, but I wanted to go talk to people because I believe they knew what was going to happen. Just to get him out [of the way],” referring to Shalom. The promoter’s skepticism is understandable given the high-stakes nature of boxing, but it also highlights the emotional volatility that often characterizes such events.
The Aftermath
Hearn’s inability to calm down after the incident underscored the seriousness with which he took the situation. He elaborated on his feelings, saying, “When you carry something on the stage to hit them around the face with, I went mad on him. I don’t like the way it was planned. I told him [Shalom] that you knew about it, and he said, ‘I swear, I didn’t know about it.’” The promoter’s outrage was not just about the egg itself but about the perceived premeditation and disrespect shown by Eubank Jr. and his team. Hearn’s protective stance towards his fighters is a hallmark of his role, and this incident only reinforced his commitment to their safety and well-being.
Chris Eubank Jr.’s Motivation
Chris Eubank Jr.’s prank, while clearly provocative, also reflects his reputation as a premeditated and strategic individual. Hearn acknowledged this, saying, “Eubank is a premediated guy. That’s what he does.” Whether the egg incident was a calculated move to rile up Benn and his camp or a spontaneous act, it certainly achieved its goal of creating a stir. The incident has added another layer of drama to an already highly anticipated fight, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the fighters’ mental states as they prepare for their showdown. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how both camps navigate the fallout and whether this latest twist will influence the outcome of the fight.
