Eubank vs Benn 2: ‘Don’t feel sorry for Chris Eubank’ – Tony Bellew backs Conor Benn

The hostility between Eubank and Benn is not manufactured. Benn is like me – he is emotionally charged and driven. For Eubank, it is business. He does not care.

These two will have become fond of each other now. When you share a fight like they did, you get respect for each other.

But that respect will go out the window this week. A line will be crossed because they need to do that to get in the right mindset.

Certain things will get said this week to wind each other up. They have family names and their own personal ambitions at stake.

The first fight was unbelievable to watch. It was non-stop from start to finish. These two could have 10 fights and all 10 would be belters.

I am not saying that Benn or Eubank are Micky Ward or Arturo Gatti, but the recipe they bring when they are put together is fantastic.

Eubank thinks he is a better boxer than he is and Benn only knows how to fight one way – trying to take his opponent’s head off for every second of every round.

I had Eubank losing after nine rounds in the first fight. It was tight and he was being outpunched before turning it around in the championship rounds.

All three judges only gave Benn four rounds, but I think he won at least five. I had Eubank winning by one and some rounds were so close.

I told Benn he needed to be careful about getting fatigued. I knew he would tire but it was a shock to him.

Benn could have won if he maintained his output for the full 12 rounds, and he needs to learn from that experience.

A knockout loss for Benn would be disastrous. A victory for Benn would be a disaster to Eubank – he will have lost to a welterweight.

Eubank could catch Benn hard and stop him, but the quick turnaround will favour Benn.

I think he will outwork Eubank and might stop him, but I am edging towards a Benn victory on points in an absolute thriller.

Tony Bellew was speaking to BBC Sport’s Bobbie Jackson.