Chris Eubank agreed to meet in a WB/WBO
unification rematch against Nigel Benn. In 1993 the rivals would engage
in another contest named 'Judgement Day' watched by a reported 500
million people and fought and exciting contest, albeit less brutal
than their first, to a draw. Don King had negotiated the contracts
so that he would own both the winner and the loser of Eubank vs Benn
2. Barry Hearn claimed that, as a draw was not written into the contract,
Eubank was free to sin a new deal with him instead of King. He did,
and Benn also did not sign for King, on the same pretext.
Following
the Benn fight, Eubank went on to defeat Graciano Rocchigiani of Germany,
the undefeated former IBF super-middleweight title holder. After a
split points victory over Ray Close, in the King's Hall Felfast, Eubank
signed an eight-fight L10-million deal with Sky Sports for contests
in South Africa, Mancheser, London and Millstreet. Eubank made five
further successful defences, beating British world title contenders
Henry Waharton and Sam Storey as well as unbeaten Dan Schommer and
Mauricio Amaral Costa.
Eubank vs Collins
In March 1995 however,
Eubank lost his title to Irishman Steve Collins, by unanimous decision.
Eubank
won an eliminator for his old title against Jose Ignacio Barruetabena,
as well as a win over Bruno Ruben Godoy. A rematch with Collins took
place in Cork, Ireland, and Eubank lost again by a surprisingly narrow
split decision. He announced his retirement from the ring in October
1995. He made a quick comeback in 1996, however, defeating Luis Dionisio
Barrera and Camilo Alarcon.
Calzaghe vs Eubank
After Steve Collins
withdrew from his WBO super-middleweight title defence against Joe
Calzaghe and unexpectedly retired in October 1997, Calzaghe was match
against Eubank or the vacant title with eleven days notice. Eubank
has been scheduled to box at light-heavyweight on the undercard. Eubank
was knocked down twice and lost on points to Calzaghe, but saw he
popularity rise as a result of managing to finish the fight against
him more fancied opponent.
Cruiserweight
Eubank then added 20
lbs in weight and challenged Britain's Carl Thompson for the WBO cruiserweight
title. Eubank floored Thompson in the fourth round but, as in the
first Steve Collins fight, failed to press home his advantage. The
fight went the distance, with Thompsons strength and durability eventually
telling in the later rounds. Thompson won by unanimous decision, but
the closeness of the fight was reflected in the scoring, with tow
of the three judges giving the fight to Thompson by a single point.