Benn: 4, 6 (9-9), 7, 8, 10.
Eubank: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 11.
Even: 12.
(Benn deducted 1pt for fouls)
Eubank cruised the first 3 rounds but by the 4th and 5th rounds still hadn't got his jab going, which was a mistake. Benn took the 4th and 10th more cleanly and clearly than either fighter took any of the rounds. Eubank edged the 9th and 11th by getting his jab working. The 5th, 6th and 12th saw some nasty heavy exchanges but generally sloppy by their standards- both seemed to have stamina issues on the night out there.
Benn finally got to grips with Eubank's awkward defense to take the 7th and 8th, albeit in a scrappy manner. Eubank never really got to grips with Benn's improved defense, but wouldn't have needed to had he got his jab working by the 4th, in which case he may of even had an easyish win. The best punch of the fight by far was landed by Benn in the 10th, a leaping left hook. But other left hooks earlier that were too low caused a point deduction for Nigel.
Final Score:
Eubank- 115
Benn- 113
General thoughts are that Eubank was moving well and trying to be sharp and stiff, but he just wasn't his usual slick self that night. While Benn's head and upper body movement was better than ever and caused it to appear as if Chris was throwing 12 rounds of inaccurate shoeshiners. I don't think Benn did enough quantity of quality offensive work, however, even though he appeared a little more 'on' and a lot less 'off', than Eubank that night. All-in-all a poor fight by their standards, with far too much falling and clutching thoughout.
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