Jab to the Wallet: Boxing Champ Allegedly in ￡4M Poker Debt to Neymar
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As the build-up intensifies for the upcoming boxing match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, the war of words took a surprising turn at Tuesday's press conference. Benn made explosive claims about Eubank Jr., alleging that the British boxer owes Brazilian football star Neymar ￡4 million in poker debts.
Benn didn't hold back, questioning Eubank Jr.'s financial motivations for agreeing to the fight. "Do you know why you need the money? Because you're shit at poker," Benn said, implying that Eubank Jr.'s struggles at the poker table were the real reason behind the upcoming bout. "He owes Neymar four million quid. That's why he's taken this fight," Benn added.
The rivalry between Eubank Jr. and Benn is legendary, with both men carrying the weight of their fathers' infamous bouts in the 1990s. The first meeting between Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn ended with Eubank Sr. victorious, while the rematch ended in a draw. Now, their sons are set to settle the score in the ring, with the fight taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025.
The fight, billed as "Born Rivals," was initially scheduled for October 2022 but was postponed after Benn tested positive for a banned substance. Despite the controversy, the bout is back on.
Poker Connections: Eubank Jr. and Neymar
Eubank Jr.'s ties to poker are well-known, with the boxer regularly participating in high-stakes cash games as well as being a former ambassador for 888poker.
One of his most prominent poker acquaintances is Neymar, the Brazilian soccer star, with whom Eubank Jr. has played in several televised high-stakes games. The two have faced off in private games during the 2024 World Series of Poker and have also appeared together on Hustler Casino Live and the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP).
While there are no confirmed reports of Eubank Jr. owing Neymar ￡4 million, the claim made by Benn is not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Both Eubank Jr. and Neymar have participated in high-stakes games, and debts can quickly accumulate in such an environment, especially when cameras are turned off.
According to HighRoll Poker's database, Eubank Jr. has earned $102,930 in net poker winnings, a fraction of Neymar's reported $306,000. While both men have been part of high-profile poker games, there’s no direct evidence to support Benn's claim that Eubank Jr. owes Neymar a large sum of money.
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Hellmuth Introduces Eubank Jr. to High Stakes Poker
In an interview with PokerNews in 2022, Eubank Jr. revealed that he made his first Royal Flush playing with Phil Hellmuth in Ivey's Room at ARIA.
"I was playing $1/$2 No-Limit Hold'em," Eubank said at the time. "I'd never thought about sitting down with a lot of money, I was just playing for fun! So I played there for a few hours and I left and was on my way to the club.
"But as I was walking out, I saw Phil Hellmuth walking back towards the poker room. I'd just started reading his book, but I'm not the type of guy to just walk up to them and ask for a picture, so it was just something I thought was cool."
"I just said hello, and told him to keep doing his thing. He asked me who I was, and I told him, and he said he liked boxing. We took a picture, and he asked me what I was doing. I told him I was going to go to the club, but he invited me to a private game in Ivey's Room.
"I played the game and actually did really well. I made my first Royal Flush, and that was my introduction to high stakes poker."
Eubank Jr. Deflects Allegations
Eubank Jr. didn't directly respond to the accusations but instead deflected, bringing up Benn's own financial situation. "How much do you owe Eddie [Hearn], then?" Eubank Jr. asked, referencing rumors about Benn’s financial ties to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Benn and Hearn both denied these accusations.
Eubank Jr. didn’t hold back, later adding, "One thing I do know is you're a drug cheat," a reference to Benn’s failed drug test that led to the cancellation of their first fight. Benn, shot back, "One thing I do know is you're an idiot who has taken this fight because he owes someone some money."
After the press conference ended, both boxers took part in a face-off, with Eubank Jr hitting Benn in the face with an egg. The fighters were pulled apart, leaving Benn furious at the orchestrated antics of Eubank Jr.
