Nigel Benn: Chris Eubank Jnr is his own man

Boxing legend Nigel Benn today told Chris Eubank Jr to "be his own man" as he looks to follow his father's path to superstardom.

Benn had two legendary wars with Eubank in the 1990s and never beat him, losing by ninth round stoppage and then recording a draw,

Eubank Jnr, 25, has followed them into the pro ranks under the tutelage of his Dad and is the interim WBA world middleweight champion, despite losing his previous contest.

He evoked memories of his family name by battering Russian title holder Dmitry Chudinov from pillar to post in February, winning by merciful 12th round stoppage.

He's now set for a collision course rematch with Billy Joe Saunders, who outpointed him to retain his European, British and Commonwealth belts last November.

Chris Snr rarely leaves his side and is even in the corner for most of his bouts, while trainer Ronnie Davies and his seconds stay outside of the ring.

And former WBO and long-standing WBC champion Benn has warned him he can't be a clone, having sampled the best of what the elder Eubank has to offer.

Benn, whose 18-year-old son Conor is an amateur fighter, said: "He's a good fighter but he can't be his Dad, there was only one like him. He can't emulate him, so he shouldn't want to.

"He's got to forge his own identity as he develops and it doesn't matter that he's lost, that might make him a better fighter in the long run. I think if he fights Saunders again, he'll win this time.

"Just look at the physique on him, he looks amazing - like father, like son. I'll certainly be supporting him, but he has a lot to live up to."

Benn and Eubank, now 51 and 48 respectively, drew huge houses to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and Manchester United's Old Trafford football ground.

The latter stalemate in 1993 drew 18.5million television viewers, with the British viewing public lapping up the hatred there was between the two.

But Benn said: "I love Chris and we're old men now, so I can laugh and joke about it. I needed him as much he needed me.

"I detested him before we got into the ring, true, but how I could hate him after? He made me a lot of money.

"You have got to understand that, when I fought Chris Eubank in 1990, I got £400,000 for that fight. That was a huge figure back then.

"The second time, I still got £1million and kept the belt around my waist. We never really did each other's career anything but good."