Eubank Jr and arch-rival Benn clash again as Neymar watches on

Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are still headed for a showdown after their latest confrontation on Saturday night, with an unexpected guest in attendance—football icon Neymar.

Security had to intervene to keep the fierce competitors apart after a heated exchange escalated at the pre-fight hotel in Riyadh on Thursday. This incident took place just before Eubank Jr's first fight in over a year against Poland's Kamil Szeremeta, which is part of the lineup for the rescheduled undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Eubank Jr. shook off any signs of inactivity with a strong performance against a former European middleweight champion. He knocked his opponent down three times, including once within the first minute of the first round, and achieved a well-deserved stoppage in the seventh round, even after suffering a cut from an accidental headbutt early in the fight.

Benn didn’t seem too impressed while watching from the sidelines, posting on X during the match: “I guarantee I’ll knock this fool out within three rounds.”

Benn quickly made his move to enter the ring after Eubank Jr. won against Szeremeta and claimed the vacant IBO middleweight world title. This matchup marks a rematch for the two, coming two years after their originally planned fight was called off due to Benn failing two drug tests.

"You were terrible out there tonight; you can't take me on like that. I guarantee you'll be finished in three rounds," Benn mocked his opponent, all while security kept a close eye on the situation. "Bet on it."

Benn then turned his head in Eubank Jr.'s direction, and Eubank Jr. mirrored the action as they were pulled apart again.

Brazilian football star Neymar, who now plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, found himself playing an unexpected role as a peacemaker during the recent clash between Eubank Jr and Benn. He was present at ringside in Riyadh for the entire event and was invited into the ring right in the middle of the confrontation.

"I received a cut from a headbutt, but honestly, it’s not a big deal," Eubank Jr. stated. He expressed his eagerness for a matchup with Benn, but also emphasized his desire to go up against big names like Canelo Alvarez and his rival Billy Joe Saunders, who hasn't fought since his 2021 loss to Canelo and has yet to formally announce his retirement.

"We're really enjoying ourselves out here. This is my friend Neymar, and we're definitely going to give it our all!"

Ben Shalom, the head of Boxxer and Eubank Jr's promoter, expressed hope that a match with Benn might take place in early 2025. However, Benn, who has consistently maintained his innocence, still has not obtained his British boxing license. In May, he faced a temporary ban from fighting after the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) won their appeals against him.

Benn’s temporary suspension was earlier removed by an impartial National Anti-Doping panel. He won against Rodolfo Orozco in September 2023 and then scored a victory over Peter Dobson in February, with both matches taking place in the U.S. A hearing with the British Boxing Board of Control is scheduled for this month.

Eubank Jr took to X following his recent fight with Benn to say, “Looks like I've got my next battle set.”