The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation for the April 26, 2025, grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it’s Eubank’s jaw-dropping training camp that has heavyweight titan Anthony Joshua reeling in awe. As the sons of 1990s rivals Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn prepare to settle a generational feud, sources close to Joshua reveal the former champ is stunned by Eubank Jr.’s relentless preparation, calling it “borderline brutal.” With the clock ticking to what’s billed as Fatal Fury, here’s the inside scoop on the regimen that’s got AJ and the boxing world talking!
Eubank Jr., the IBO middleweight champion, is leaving nothing to chance for his clash with Benn, a fight three years in the making after a 2022 cancellation due to Benn’s clomifene controversy (Wikipedia, April 10, 2025). Training in a secluded camp under new coach Johnathon Banks, Eubank’s routine is a grueling blend of old-school grit and cutting-edge science. According to Boxing News (April 12, 2025), he’s sparring 12 rounds daily with top-tier middleweights, mimicking Benn’s aggressive style, while enduring high-altitude runs and cryotherapy sessions to sharpen his recovery. Joshua, who’s crossed paths with Eubank at promotional events, reportedly told Sky Sports, “I’ve never seen Chris this dialed in. He’s training like a man possessed—Benn’s in for a war.”
What’s got AJ particularly floored is Eubank’s mental edge. Sources say he’s studying tapes of Benn’s fights obsessively, breaking down every move since Benn’s return from suspension in 2023 (DAZN News, April 13). Eubank’s also adopted a monk-like discipline, cutting out distractions and social media—save for a fiery X post vowing to “end the Benn legacy.” His infamous “egg slap” incident in February, where he cracked an egg on Benn’s face at a Manchester presser (ESPN, Feb. 25), wasn’t just theatrics; it signaled a psychological warfare game that Joshua believes gives Eubank an edge. “Chris is in Conor’s head already,” AJ reportedly said at a London gym, per X chatter.
Eubank’s physical transformation is equally striking. Fighting at 160 pounds with a 170-pound rehydration cap (ESPN), he’s leaned into strength training to counter Benn’s welterweight speed, reportedly deadlifting 400 pounds and mastering explosive plyometrics (BoxingScene, April 10). Joshua, no stranger to heavyweight grind, was spotted at a Matchroom event marveling at Eubank’s shredded physique, joking, “He’s making me rethink my cardio!” Fans on X are hyped, with one posting, “Eubank’s built like a tank—Benn’s gonna feel those punches.” Another warned, “AJ’s right to be stunned. This Chris is a different beast.”
Benn, meanwhile, isn’t slacking. Training with Tony Sims in Essex, he’s bulking up to handle the middleweight leap, sparring bigger opponents to prep for Eubank’s power (Sky Sports, April 9). But Joshua’s reaction suggests Eubank’s camp is stealing the spotlight. The former champ, who’s eyed for a 2025 rematch with Daniel Dubois (Yahoo Sports, Oct. 2024), reportedly sees Eubank as a dark horse to dominate. “If Chris brings this intensity to Spurs, it’s lights out,” he told a TalkSPORT insider.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. With 62,850 fans set to pack Tottenham (TottenhamHotspurStadium.com, March 1), and a DAZN PPV price of $24.99 (DAZN News, April 14), the fight’s a global spectacle. Eubank’s £100,000 fine for the egg incident (ProBoxing-Fans, March 12) only adds fuel, with Benn demanding a million-pound penalty (ProBoxing-Fans). Yet, Joshua’s focus remains on Eubank’s prep, telling pals, “Chris is training to destroy, not just win,” per X posts.
As fight night looms, the question isn’t just who’ll win, but whether Benn can withstand the machine Eubank’s become. Will Joshua’s shock prove prophetic, or can Benn flip the script? One thing’s clear: Eubank’s brutal grind has the boxing world on edge.