Call it a Day? Frampton & Bellew React to Eubank Loss as Conor Benn Dominates the Rematch

Few rivalries in modern British boxing have carried as much heat, history and genuine needle as Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn. But on a cool night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it was Benn who left no room for debate. Months after Eubank’s victory in their first encounter, Benn returned with a vengeance, delivering a performance so assured, so sharp, that it has left many in the sport wondering if this is the end of the road for the 36-year-old Eubank.

In the aftermath, opinions poured in from across the boxing world. And while not everyone agreed on whether Eubank should “call it a day,” the tone was certainly more sombre than celebratory for the veteran middleweight.

Below, we break down what Carl Frampton, Barry Jones, Tony Bellew and others had to say, and what this decisive, one-sided rematch might mean for Eubank’s future.

Call it a Day – Frampton & Bellew React to Eubank’s Loss: A Night That Raised Big Questions

When a fighter reaches their mid-30s, every defeat is magnified. Every moment of hesitation, every missed opening, gets examined under a harsher light. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday night as Conor Benn outclassed, outworked and overpowered Eubank from start to finish.

All three judges saw it the same way — unanimous, clear, uncontroversial. Even more concerning for Team Eubank was that he rarely looked capable of turning the tide. This wasn’t the furious, stubborn, relentless Eubank Jr that British fans have come to know. This was a fighter who seemed a step behind and a touch short on sharpness from the opening bell.

Frampton: “This might be the time to call it a day”

Carl Frampton, never one to sugar-coat his thoughts, struck a firm but respectful tone when speaking after the fight.

“It was a great performance from Conor, but this might be the time to call it a day for Chris,” Frampton said on DAZN. “I’m not trying to be harsh, I’m just being honest.”

Frampton praised Benn’s discipline and sharpness but suggested what many watching felt — that Eubank lacked the timing and energy to keep pace with a younger, faster opponent.

Barry Jones: “He was flat from round one”

Former WBO champion Barry Jones echoed Frampton’s assessment, pointing specifically to Eubank’s sluggish start.

“It was evident from round one that he was flat,” Jones said. “It could be weight or it could be wear and tear — I think it’s the latter.”

Jones didn’t dismiss Benn’s brilliance, far from it. Instead, he said the opportunities were there for Eubank — but he simply couldn’t pull the trigger.

“He didn’t throw his punches from round one. He was quite lethargic.”

For a fighter whose trademark has been his engine and attitude, those comments strike deep.

The Weight Debate: Was Eubank Drained?

Conor Benn with his arms around his family smiles and poses for a picture after beating Chris Eubank Jr

One of the main talking points both before and after the fight was the rehydration clause — a 10lb limit on fight-day weight that prevented Eubank from fully refueling between the weigh-in and the first bell.

Shakur Stevenson, a world champion across multiple divisions, did not mince his words:

“Eubank was clearly weight drained.”

The sentiment was echoed by Oscar De La Hoya, who took to social media with a characteristically blunt assessment:

“Eubank never had a chance due to weight drain.”

Eubank has spent most of his recent career campaigning as a middleweight, but cutting down and then rehydrating under strict conditions can sap sharpness, speed and stamina — the very attributes he depends on.

Still, while weight undoubtedly played a role, many analysts argued that the issues ran deeper: timing, reflexes, and that faint but unmistakable erosion that comes with years at the top.

Bellew: “As convincing and one-sided a win as you’ll ever see”

Tony Bellew, always passionate and always box-smart, had a slightly different take. He doesn’t think retirement should be forced onto Eubank — at least not yet — but he admitted the divide between the two fighters on the night was vast.

“Round seven and eight, he tried to put it together but he couldn’t work out the timing and rhythm of Conor Benn,” Bellew said.

Then came the assessment that summed up the rematch perfectly:

“He was out-jabbed, outworked and bullied… As convincing and one-sided a win as you’ll ever see in boxing.”

Bellew believes Benn simply had too much — too much energy, too much speed, and too much physicality. And for the first time in a long time, Eubank was the fighter struggling to keep up.

Benn’s Composure and Evolution: “He managed his emotions”

One of the biggest differences between this fight and their first meeting, according to Frampton, was Benn’s emotional control.

“Benn was controlled with his attacks. He wasn’t putting in too much energy,” Frampton noted. “I think emotions are good for Benn, but they were too much for him in the last fight.”

The Benn who walked into the ring this time was different — cooler, more calculated, almost ruthlessly patient. Every burst of aggression was measured. Every exchange had purpose. It was, as many said ringside, the performance of his career.

50 Cent Wants a Trilogy — But Is It Realistic?

Rapper 50 Cent, who walked Eubank to the ring, immediately called for a third fight.

“What a fight — them boys went to war tonight. They gotta do that again.”

From a promotional standpoint, a trilogy sells. From a sporting standpoint, however, it feels hard to justify based on the second fight’s clarity.

Eubank simply never looked close.

That doesn’t mean the rivalry is dead — boxing has resurrected stranger trilogies — but the direction of travel seems clear. Benn is heading upward, toward world title contention. Eubank is at a crossroads he can no longer avoid.

What Comes Next for Chris Eubank Jr?

This is the question hanging in the air.

Some believe he should “call it a day.” Others think there is still enough in the tank for meaningful fights. But everyone agrees on one thing: the Eubank Jr we saw in the rematch did not resemble the fierce, indomitable fighter who built his name on grit and defiance.

He has had a “great career,” as Paul Smith put it. And he has, indeed, won over many who once doubted him — just like his father.

But boxing is a harsh judge. And the sport’s truth is simple: if the fire dims even a fraction, the consequences are immediate.

Saturday night didn’t just deliver a result. It delivered a moment of clarity.

Whether Chris Eubank Jr walks toward one more challenge or walks away entirely, the decision now carries more weight than any punch thrown in the ring.