LONDON, England – The first fight between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn was named The British Boxing Board of Control’s Contest of the Year at The Board’s awards ceremony on Sunday.
Conah Walker-Harry Scarf, Callum Smith-Joshua Buatsi, Jack Rafferty-Mark Chamberlain and Fabio Wardley-Joseph Parker were also in contention but it was the dramatic middleweight grudge match won by the 36-year-old Eubank Jnr, via unanimous decision, at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April that was recognised as the best fight overseen by The Board during 2025.
Benn, 29, won the rematch, also via unanimous decision and at the same venue, seven months later. He returns to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to fight Regis Prograis, on the undercard of Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Makhmudov, on April 11.
“Even though I liked the second fight, you don’t know you have it in you until you have to prove it, so for me to be able to prove it, as a ‘silver spoon’ kid…” Benn said. “It was intense.
“It’s the entertainment business. I’m glad you guys were entertained.
“Those fights were special to me. A big shout out to Chris, wherever you are in the world. As much as – we’re not friends – he gave me a hell of a fight. Only one person brought that out of me.”
A Special Recognition Award was given to Scotland’s Josh Taylor, following the announcement of his retirement in 2025, at the conclusion of a career in which he established himself as one of Britain’s finest ever fighters. At his peak Taylor, 35, reigned as the undisputed junior-welterweight champion. He thanked his professional trainers Shane McGuigan – their separation proved acrimonious – Ben Davison and Joe McNally when he spoke on stage.
Taylor has been open about his struggles in retirement, but of the award he told BoxingScene: “It makes [retirement] all a bit easier. You feel like you’re appreciated when you come to these things, getting your accolades read out on screen and a round of applause and getting to talk about your career. Everybody here’s boxing people. They appreciate what’s been done and achieved so to get that type of reception – I never knew that was gonna happen today – was a pleasant surprise.
“It was really nice. I’m at peace now. I’ve figured that out – you don’t want to try to be happy, ‘cause you’ll never be happy. I’m at peace. I’m good now.”
Special Recognition Awards were also given to Claude Abrams, Tris Dixon and Matt Christie, for their roles as successive editors of the long respected Boxing News.
