Eubank-Benn II

The slight money difference was probably due to Benn having a rather big loyal fanbase, they travelled and supported him everywhere. People related to Benn more than they related to Eubank.

Eubank was a love to hate figure, although loved more when he retired, it has to be remembered he insulted boxing, boxers and the boxing public by once saying "boxing was a mugs game" and made it clear he fought for money, not legacy, not proving he was the best or having great fights.

So Benn would have put more backsides on seats, he was the slightly bigger draw at that time in my opinion.

 

During that era there also was a greater significance attached to the title you had, particularly with the Big Green belt.

Benn's WBC title was considered more prestigious than Eubank's WBO version, even though Eubank had arguably fought better opposition at 168.

I don't have viewing figures to hand, but I imagine that Benn was a more consistent draw than Eubank at the time. Eubank's fighting style and persona out of the ring were much better suited to the role of antagonist, so he needed the right foil to capture the public's imagination. Benn had the classic mix of danger and vulnerability that meant he was rarely in a dull fight.

 

Still not even close. EVERYONE watched it!

 

Eubank outsmarted Benn, because his 850K was NET, and Benn's 1Mill was Gross. So Eubank actually took home significantly more than Benn. Andy Ayling can confirm this.

 

What a nice little fact, I didn't know that, that's why I love this site, I'm always learning something.

 

Would Benns WBC belt bring more to the table than the not so highly regarded at the time WBO strap held by Eubank.

 

It was the only reason King got involved, but Eubank insisted he was taking home more than Benn one way or another. Once King saw Eubank's charisma at the press conferences, and mass appeal here, it was Chris Eubank he wanted his claws into and insisted on the three-fight tie to him after the event. Eubank outsmarted even Don King by pointing out the contract read only the winner and loser would be tied, so he was free to fly!

 

Pre-Christianity Nigel Benn was bloody intense

 

King was happy to keep Benn in London but wanted Eubank over in the US