Why did Chris Eubank Jr slap Conor Benn with an egg?

It is one of the ironic moments of 2025, going viral across social media and dominating mainstream media worldwide.

On February 25, 2025, at the launch press conference for their upcoming bout, Chris Eubank Jr, out of the blue, slapped an egg across the face of his nemesis Conor Benn.

The video has quickly become one of the most famous in British boxing, with millions of views across YouTube and social media platforms.  

• BUY NOW HERE: Eubank Jr. vs Benn DAZN PPV at £21.99; $24.99; €24.99

During a heated face-off in Manchester, broadcast live on DAZN , the pair exchanged verbal's, before Eubank Jr launched a left handed slap at Benn's cheek, before security had to step in and pull the two brawling teams apart. 

Everyone heard a crack - some thought it was Benn's cheek bone, other's a glass bottle. It turned out the Brighton boxer had intentionally hidden an egg in his jacket and sneakily brought onto the stage for that very moment.

But why an egg?

What's the back story to the Eubank Jr. v Benn egg slap?

Well, it all goes back to October 2022 when the two enemies were originally set to meet in a highly anticipated bout.

Just days before their contest, as they looked to write the latest chapter in a 30-year feud between the two fighting families, it was revealed Benn had delivered an 'adverse finding' for the banned substance clomiphene after taking a voluntary drugs test.

The fight was cancelled, causing outrage from team Eubank and the fanbase. Benn was banned from fighting in the UK and spent the next three years fighting to clear his name.

Benn was eventually cleared and his fight with Eubank Jr on April 26, live on DAZN PPV , at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will represent his return to British boxing after a three year absence and a chance to rebuild his career.

How did eggs help clear Benn's name?

Looking back to February 2023 when Benn was appealing his suspension, an independent report by the WBC claimed that Benn's failed drug test was unintentional.

The investigation stated the cause could have been due to "highly elevated consumption of eggs".

It is important to note, Conor Benn has never publicly stated this was the cause of the failed drug test. 

Those findings helped Benn get his suspension lifted to allow him to fight again in the UK.

However the "highly elevated consumption of eggs" finding has been fuel to the fire for Benn's critics. For a showman like Eubank Jr it has given him plenty of ammunition to fire at this opponent. 

After the slapping incident in Manchester, Eubank Jr explained on social media that the egg was his response to the report's findings.

Eubank Jr stated on Instagram: "Apparently egg contamination was the reason for his two failed drugs tests. So, I contaminated him with an egg."

 

What was the aftermath of the egg slap?

The egg slap sent this fight into the stransphoe in terms of hype and worldwide attention.

It dominated both the back and front pages of the newspapers, was the talk of social media for days, and led to Benn's promoter, Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, claiming over 100,000 fans had joined the pre-sale waiting list for tickets.

Eubank Jr was fined an eye-watering £100,000 by the British Boxing Board Control for the incident .

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

He has expressed anger since, saying that the fine was "too steep".

He said: "£100,000 for throwing an egg seems a little bit strong. Especially looking at what others have been fined for what would seem to be much more serious incidents over the years."

Eubank's promoter, BOXXER's Ben Shalom has said his fighter is "left with no choice but to appeal." 

The animosity between the pair is now at an all-time high for this must watch rivalry. They have since clashed in a lift and been kept apart by security as their second press conference in London.

It will be an iconic fight for British boxing - ensure you don't miss it, buy the DAZN PPV right now here .

Watch three incredible fight nights in one week only on DAZN

Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and  DAZN PPV  is the only place to watch them all.

• April 26:  Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn
• May 2:  Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
• May 3:  Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull

Arch rivals Eubank Jr. and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £21.99 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.

Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN. These two PPV's prices are yet to be confirmed.