Benn and Eubank Close A 30-Year Rivalry, Fatal Fury in Times Square Has Arrived!

After an exciting conclusion to the war between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. this past weekend, SouthTown and New York City get blended together for another exhilirating Fatal Fury card, this time in New York City, tonight, May 2nd.

As mentioned in last month's edition of the DQ w/ Damani Newsletter, Turki Al-Al-Sheikh is bringing boxing to Times Square for the first time ever. The event is lighting up the world's busiest commercial hub, something many boxing promoters haven't thought of.

In the promo for the major night of fights, rivals Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney chase one another across the various billboards of Times Square, joined by King of Fighters/Fatal Fury poster boy Terry Bogard. The promo video was a treat for fans of the Fatal Fury/King of Fighters games, as well as fans of SNK Corporation in general.

The partnership between SNK, Riyadh Season, and Matchroom Boxing has led up to this big weekend. On May 2nd, Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero will head off the weekend with an exciting 12-round contest in New York City.

Across the world in Riyadh, Canelo Alvarez will face William Scull in his first contest outside of North America. May 2nd and May 3rd are incredibly important to Eddie Hearn and Turki Al-Al-Sheikh, these two events success will ensure a healthy rollout into the summer. On July 19th, Oleksandr Usyk and Dubois are confirmed to face each other for the second time. The world will be glued to their screens between now and then, but the focus is on New York City and Riyadh as the stars align.

Opening the card is Reito Tsutsumi, a Japanese prospect making his professional debut. Tsutsumi is best known for his stellar performances on the amateur circuit, finishing his amateur career at an impressive 59-2.

He won gold at the 2021 World Boxing Youth Championships, following in his older brother Hayato's footsteps. Reito took things a step further by competing at the collegiate level after winning gold at Worlds, earning gold at the All-Japanese University Championships in Summer 2023.

Many pundits and fans alike are hoping Tsutsumi will receive a big title push similar to fellow amateur standout Andy Cruz, which all falls on his promoter Shisei Promotions. The younger Tsutsumi will be competing at featherweight, adding his name to an interesting list of characters at the weight class.

"Since I was a child, I have dreamed of competing in the professional boxing world," Tsutsumi said in an interview with The Ring. "Becoming a world champion is just a stepping stone — if I'm going to do this, I want to be the best.

"My ultimate goal is to become the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world."

Tsutsumi has already made waves in the boxing world without his first pro fight to his name- Turki Al-Al-Sheikh was one of the first to notice Tsutsumi's talent. He was welcomed by Al-Al-Sheikh as one of the newest brand ambassadors for The Ring, a major achievement as an individual and for his nation. "I will always make sure to support him personally and through the ring and stay behind him until he becomes a world-champion and become a source of pride for Japan and Asia," Al-Al-Sheikh stated in an Instagram post on April 18th. At featherweight, Tsutsumi has Stephen Fulton (WBC), Nick Ball (WBA), Rafael Espinoza (WBO), Angelo Leo (IBF), Dayan Gonzalez (IBO), and rising mandatory Bruce Carrington to deal with.

If he can get ahead the menial competition at 126 lbs, he will find himself in good company for big fights. With the backing of Al-Al-Sheikh, the future for Tsutsumi is bright.

[Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza - Super-Lightweight (WBO and Lineal World Titles)]

Teofimo Lopez returns to the ring against an opponent many people thought he would avoid forever- Arnold Barboza. Barboza has received plenty of coverage here on DQ w/ Damani, he has earned his chance at the super-lightweight title many times over. Barboza took the risk and bet on himself to win in the UK against a very dangerous Jack Catterall who'd been on a tear against world-class opponents like former Undisputed Super-Lightweight World Champion, Josh Taylor.

Many Mexican world title-hopefuls would drag the fight back to their turf, but Barboza conquered Catterall in his hometown, silencing the critics with ease. After months of callouts and stay-busy fights, his performance against Catterall was enough to pique Lopez's interest. Lopez has been on the backburner for quite some time, which caused a fallout between himself and Bob Arum's Top Rank.

This was due to pricing issues, all admitted by Lopez himself during The Ring's 2025 Awards show. Lopez spared nothing for the cameras, openly discussing a fight that was drawn up between himself and former IBF Super-Lightweight World Champion Subriel Matias.

Lopez's reasoning for turning the fight down was the fact that Top Rank would have made the fight a pay-per-view, as well as the fact that he and Matias would be taking an unnecessary pay cut. Lopez did deny claims that he and Haney were meant to fight as well, which we now know to be untrue. Despite the fact that Haney, Turki, and company did send a contract to Team Lopez, the one that got signed is the one between himself and Arnold Barboza.

Teofimo Lopez’s career has had its ups and downs, but his talent is undeniable. Known for his explosive power and unorthodox style, Lopez shook the boxing world when he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020. His combination of speed, power, and unpredictability makes him a dangerous opponent, but his inconsistency and mental focus have been questioned.

His power, however, is something that cannot be questioned. Lopez has serious knockout power, and when he lands clean, he can end a fight in an instant. Lopez needs a dominant win to cement his standing in the super-welterweight division.

As the Lineal and WBO Super-Lightweight World Champion, major unification fights loom in the distance for him. A loss here could have serious consequences for his career, relegating him to a position where he must rebuild. However, a victory would signal his return to form and put him on track for bigger fights against top-tier opponents.

While not known for his knockout power, Barboza is a skilled boxer who relies on precise combinations and excellent footwork. His approach is often methodical, and he looks to outbox his opponents over the course of the fight.

Barboza is a smart, precise fighter who can box beautifully when given the space. His undefeated streak and recent performance against Catterall are indicators that he is a dangerous and game opponent who Lopez must take seriously.

At the first official press conference and face-off, Lopez was the highlight of the evening. He constantly called for more trash talk, calling the parliamentary behavior of the panel "boring" on several occasions.

When he and Barboza were called to face off, he shoved Barboza back, and then slapped him. As Barboza attempted to retaliate, the security guards on stage quickly jumped in and lifted him away. At yesterday's face off, Lopez wore a luchador mask, one that belonged to Mexico's "Blue Demon." This was probably a play to Barboza's Mexican heritage and fans, who pointed out the mask on social media.

A win over Lopez would be the biggest of Barboza’s career, pushing him into the title unification picture in the stacked super-lightweight division. It would solidify his place as a serious world champion who could make a run for undisputed. A loss, however, would halt his momentum and likely keep him on the fringes of the title picture, back to square one.

[Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez - Welterweight]

Devin “The Dream” Haney is one of the most technically proficient boxers in the super-lightweight division. Now competing for the first time at welterweight, many fight fans are eager to see how Haney has grown from "OstarineGate", the horrendous night he had against Ryan Garcia.

Known for his slick movement, incredible footwork, and high boxing IQ, Haney is a difficult puzzle for any opponent to solve. He’s a master at controlling range with the straight punches, making him a dangerous fighter over 12 rounds. While not known for his knockout power, Haney’s ability to outbox and outthink his opponents is his greatest strength. Haney’s undefeated streak is a testament to his consistent dominance in the ring.

Jose “The Pride of Avenal” Ramirez is known for his relentless pressure and ability to break opponents down with volume punches. A former super-lightweight champion, Ramirez is a fierce competitor with a warrior’s mentality.

His style is based on applying constant pressure, staying in his opponent’s face, and using his size and strength to overwhelm them. While Ramirez is a great pressure fighter, his defense is a weakness.

He can be caught with counters, especially against slick, fast boxers like Haney. Haney could find himself in a difficult firefight, or he could control Ramirez like a matador with slick outboxing. Ramirez’s approach doesn’t change much, which could play into Haney’s hands, as he can exploit Ramirez’s predictability.

A win for Ramirez would put him back in the title picture, and a major upset over Haney would give him another shot at a world championship. However, if he loses, it could seriously affect his standing in the growing welterweight division, and he may need to reconsider his approach to the sport.

[Ryan Garica vs. Rolando "Rolly" Romero - Welterweight (WBA Regular World Title)]

The main event of the evening is Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero, a true treat for fight fans who have followed the journey of both men.

Rolando Romero is completely convinced no future opponent will ever hit him harder than Ismael Barroso, who famously flattened him and lost in a fight many believed Rolly won based purely on star power.

The fighter nicknamed “Rolly” realizes Ryan Garcia “can crack,” especially with his vaunted left hook. The former WBA super lightweight champion has repeatedly expressed respect for Garcia’s power during the promotion of their 12-round welterweight fight tonight at Times Square in Manhattan.

The six rounds they sparred with one another early in their careers let Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) know that nothing Garcia hits him with in their DAZN Pay-Per-View main event will compare to the punishing punches he absorbed against Barroso in May 2023.

Garcia has quickly become one of boxing's most marketable stars. Known for his lightning-fast hands, his power, and his explosive left hook, Garcia has electrified fans around the world. The California native has built a reputation for his flashy style, often relying on speed and precision to overwhelm his opponents.

His best asset, however, is his footwork, which allows him to dictate the pace and distance of the fight. Garcia's reliance on speed sometimes leaves him open to counterattacks, something Gervonta "Tank" Davis exploited in their thrilling contest a few years back. His defense is still a work in progress, and if he faces a fighter with solid counter-punching ability, he may struggle.

A loss to Romero could derail Garcia's path to a major showdown with Devin Haney or even a Gervonta Davis rematch. Garcia has been on the brink of a title shot for a while, and a loss here could force him to take a step back and rebuild his image yet again. The boxing world is watching closely to see if he’s ready for the big leagues.

Fatal Fury in Times Square isn’t just another fight card—this is a night where careers will be made, or broken. Each of these fighters is at a crossroads, with massive implications for their future in boxing.

From Ryan Garcia’s pursuit of a big-money showdown to Devin Haney’s attempt to solidify his place as the top welterweight, to Teofimo Lopez’s quest for redemption, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Every punch, every round, and every victory or defeat will ripple through the boxing world, shaping the future of these fighters and the sport itself.

As the action unfolds in the heart of New York City, one thing is certain: the future of boxing will never be the same.

[Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. - The Final Chapter?]

There are more questions than answers left after the Fatal Fury card in Tottenham this past Saturday- the biggest one being, "How did neither man hit the canvas?" Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. each left a piece of themselves behind in the ring on April 26th. The fight was nothing short of spectacular, from round one to round twelve the action was nonstop. Every punch was filled with emotion and the clear will to win.

As mentioned from last week's article, Chris Eubank Jr. and Sr. had a major falling out over his behavior during the media buildup of the fight. The egg-slap was not taken very well by Eubank Sr., who publicly denounced his son's actions as a "disgrace." Before the fight commenced, the cameras moved backstage, and the crowd fell quiet. A large silver SUV approached the fighter's tunnel.

Out of one door was Eubank Jr. From the other, a man clad in a brown bear-fur coat, brandishing the star of a sheriff. The Tottenham Hotspur Arena exploded with joy. It was none other than Chris Eubank Sr., arm in arm with his son. The commentator's booth erupted with laughter, but the reaction from Team Benn was the exact opposite.

A camera inside of Team Benn's locker room captured a moment that has now gone viral, turned into a new meme for a new generation. As Conor Benn and his father Nigel are going over their game plan, the television in the locker room changed to show Chris Eubank Sr. joined with his son. Nigel and Conor turned to face the television, completely frozen in place, not a sound coming from either of them. The camera angle caught both of the Benn men's backs, adding to the emotionally charged moment.

With no face to place to either man, the theories have taken off. Even now, fans on the internet are debating what Conor and Nigel Benn felt in that moment, seeing the elder Eubank arrive to support his son despite all of the drama in the media could have drawn more anger, or perhaps fear. None of it mattered once the two sons entered the ring.

Before the opening bell, the fathers joined their sons for their walkouts.

Conor Benn came out first, walking out to "Ready or Not - The Fugees", which has become a staple for most of his fights. However, at the climax of the song, the beat switched into a familiar reggae tune that most fans of Nigel Benn remember. "Dangerous - Conroy Smith" was the song that Nigel Benn walked out to when he faced Chris Eubank Sr. for the first time in November 1990, and it emerged again when Benn marched to the ring to face the son of his father's greatest adversary.

There was a brief wait, and Eubank Jr.'s music followed. The crowd immediately burst into song, recognizing the Eubank tune as well. "Simply The Best - Tina Turner" hit the speakers of the stadium, the song that Eubank Sr. used for a portion of his career, and the song he used when he faced Nigel Benn. "Simply The Best" was Eubank Sr.'s ring name for a time as well.

The fans enjoyed the callback to the golden age of British boxing for a moment, but it was all washed away when a familiar series of notes hit a piano hidden behind the two men on stage. When the crowd took notice, murmurs exploded into screams of excitement. Following the piano was a violin. Next, drums and symbols. When the beat finally progressed into a full break, the commentators knew. It was the 1999 hit "Still D.R.E.", a song that became the official crowning moment for the Eubank men's entrance. No song could have fit better at the time as father and son marched toward their destiny in the ring. Eubank Jr. was nearly moved to tears as he soaked the moment in on stage, nodding as the live band went ahead.

With both men in the ring, keen-eyed spectators may have noticed that Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. were wearing the same shorts their fathers wore during their first encounter in 1990.

The opening of the fight was something out of a Creed film. Benn and Eubank circled one another, both intent on trying to download the data of the other. Like many contests at the world-level, the first round was inconsequential, but it set the tone of the fight moving forward.

Eubank used his natural gift of height and reach to place a few range-establishing jabs out in the open field. Benn would slip one and get hit with another, then look for a counter right hand over the top that left the crowd gasping. This trend continued into the third and fourth rounds, where Benn began to have success with his right hand.

The first major one to land rang out, the sound loud enough to get picked up by the ringside microphones. The clean counter overhand right rocked Eubank, immediately drawing a reaction from him. As any well-versed pugilist would, Benn's man held on, trying to regain his composure and avoid a potential flurry of punches that would finish him.

Eubank's smart clinching helped him survive, but Benn was quick to use a free hand to bash at the side of Eubank's head. The referee separated the two men, and the sequence repeated until Benn cornered Eubank successfully.

Eubank's jab helped him create an angle to escape along the ropes while Benn chased him, and they reached the center of the ring yet again. The middle rounds saw Benn's offensive effort bear more fruit, but it was clear that he was starting to either tire or lose faith in the game plan set by his team.

Eubank took this opportunity to increase his activity, but he was met with a virtually unstoppable Benn. No matter how many jabs Eubank seemed to land, Benn did not respect the power and continued to move forward. This was a trend that worried Eubank's team upon the 60-second break.

In Round 8, both stood toe-to-toe and exchanged devastating power punches. It was hard for referee Victor Loughlin separate them as both landed crushing blows.

Benn came out of his corner with determination at the start of Round 9, but Eubank responded later in the round with exceptional counter right hands. The fight dragged on with more scenic violence, and first blood was drawn. Eubank was cut near his right eye in the ninth and looked fatigued as Benn swarmed him. Benn rocked Eubank again with a short left hook and later in the round, connected with a right hand that sent Eubank on the retreat.

Eubank recovered after a poor Round 10 to outwork Benn in a grueling 11th before some of the best exchanges of the fight in the final round. Eubank and Benn met eachother in the center of the ring and proceeded to let it all go, throwing nonstop power punches to the head and body.

Benn landed a series of uppercuts and left hooks to the body that had Eubank hurt badly, he reeled back and held on to the ropes as his upper half hung outside of the ring. Refree Loughlin was forced to separate the men yet again, his shirt covered with some of Eubank's blood.

Eubank stepped forward and landed a flurry of punches that forced Benn back, just as it appeared that he was out of the fight. Eubank got the better of it in Round 12, and nearly knocked Benn off his feet with a left hook. Somehow, Benn remained on steady legs after being bombarded with hooks in the final minute.

There were no official knockdowns, but the fight had plenty of drama and kept the crowd entertained through every round.

The conclusion of the fight was just as exciting as the opening. The two men shouted into the Tottenham sky in victory, both believing they had done enough to win. Benn embraced his father, as did Eubank. In a moment that has been shared across social media platforms millions of times over, Chris Eubank Sr. walked over and embraced Conor Benn, holding his head in his arms for just a moment. No one could have expected it to happen, but the mutual respect between the two men, father and son of rivaling families, was a welcome addition to the emotional night of boxing.

As the scorecards were read, more heartstrings were to be tugged at. The scores of 116-112 on all three judge scorecards were read aloud to the crowd, but they were unsure of who won. Conor Benn looked beyond the ropes with confidence, expecting a unanimous win for his side. Eubank Jr. was announced as the winner to beat Benn (23-1, 14 KOs), settling the grudge match between the two English boxers and families.

In the exact same pose as his father when he bested Nigel Benn, Eubank Jr. dropped to his knees and stared upward, as if to say "thank you." His father stood behind him, celebrating the hard-fought victory.

While one man celebrated the biggest win of his life, the other came to terms with the first loss of his life. Benn had just lost his undefeated record to his most bitter rival, a man he knew he could have beaten several times over. The man he sacrificed two years of his career to fight, all without his brand-new IBO Middleweight World Championship attached to the bill. Nigel Benn came to his son's side and hugged him, consoling him as the crowd gave them a round of applause. Conor Benn's wife joined the frenzy and held his hand as a sign of support. Defeated, but not without spirit, Benn remained in the ring as Eubank Jr. and Sr. gave their remarks on the fight.

"I knew I was capable of that," said Eubank during his post-fight interview, who was taken to a hospital after the fight with rumors of a broken jaw. "The fact that our fathers did what they did all those years ago brings out a spirit in you, and we showed that tonight."

"I pushed through. There is a lot of things that have gone on in my life, and I am happy to have this man [his dad] back with me. We upheld the family name -- onwards and upwards."

"I didn't know Conor had what he had in him."

Benn gave himself credit for a good showing, but spared nothing when it came to his time away from the sport. "Maybe inactivity was a factor, I had 14 months out of the ring. It was a close fight, I'll have to watch it back. I enjoyed it," Benn said. "Maybe I stayed on the ropes too long. We knew Chris is a good fighter and fighting talk is fighting talk. I believe I can fight at 160."

For Benn, this loss adds credit to his stock. He showed an impressive chin in the championship rounds, and gave Eubank a serious run for his money despite being the much smaller man on paper. Benn, who is ranked top 5 by the WBC at his original weight class of 147, could return to the weight and face Mario Barrios for his title. The chances at fighting Brian Norman or Boots Ennis at the moment are slim, considering Ennis just bested Stanionis not too long ago, and Norman has a scheduled fight with Jin Sasaki in the coming months.

For Eubank, the victory over Benn keeps him in contention for a shot at Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, the WBC, WBA and WBO world super middleweight champion, in 2026. He has previously called out Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin, but it seems like this may never happen due to Golovkin's suspected, but unannounced, retirement.

The fight between the two men was massive, Benn vs. Eubank Jr. marked itself in boxing history as the biggest non-heavyweight boxing event in the United Kingdom since Carl Froch versus George Groves in May 2014.

Although we are only four months in to the new year, it is safe to say that Benn vs. Eubank Jr. has earned Fight of the Year honors. There won't be another fight with this rich of a history, or this much of an unrelenting war behind it. Calls for a rematch have already been made from the Benn camp, but many feel that Eubank and Benn have closed a chapter in each of their stories. Some fans believe they don't need a rematch like their fathers did, but a large portion of fans also feel that Conor Benn was robbed of a win, or at the very least, a draw. Even if the rematch doesn't happen, the sons will forever go down in boxing history as legends, just as their fathers are.