Boxing superstar Terence Crawford has ignited a firestorm in the sport by publicly calling out the judges for what he claims was a robbery in Conor Benn’s recent fight against Chris Eubank Jr. The middleweight clash, which took place on April 26, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ended with Eubank Jr. winning by unanimous decision (116-112 on all scorecards), but Crawford’s comments have reignited controversy surrounding the already contentious bout.

Crawford’s Scathing Critique

In a heated interview with ESPN, Crawford, the undefeated welterweight and pound-for-pound great, didn’t mince words about the judging of the Eubank Jr. vs. Benn fight. “Conor Benn got robbed, plain and simple,” Crawford declared. “I watched that fight, and there’s no way Eubank Jr. won by that margin. The judges need to be held accountable—this kind of scoring is killing the sport.”

Crawford, 37, argued that Benn’s aggressive style and effective punches should have earned him more rounds. “Conor was landing the cleaner shots and pushing the pace,” he said. “Eubank Jr. was on the back foot for half the fight, but somehow the judges gave him almost every round? That’s nonsense. They stole this from Benn.”

A Controversial Fight from the Start

The Eubank Jr. vs. Benn bout was already steeped in drama before the final bell. Eubank Jr., 35, missed the 160-pound middleweight limit by 0.05 pounds, resulting in a £375,000 fine paid to Benn. A rehydration clause added further tension, requiring Eubank Jr. to weigh no more than 170 pounds on fight day, which he made at 169.4 pounds. The fight itself was a thrilling 12-round battle, with Benn, 28, stepping up two weight classes from welterweight and showing immense heart, while Eubank Jr.’s experience helped him dominate the later rounds.

Despite the competitive nature of the fight, the scorecards—116-112 across the board for Eubank Jr.—drew immediate scrutiny. Many fans and analysts felt the scores were too wide, given Benn’s strong performance, particularly in the early rounds. Crawford’s comments have now amplified those concerns, bringing the issue of judging in boxing into sharp focus.

The Boxing Community Reacts

Crawford’s remarks have sparked a wave of reactions across the boxing world. On X, fans were quick to voice their opinions, with one user posting, “Crawford’s right—those scorecards were a joke. Benn deserved better.” Another user countered, “Eubank Jr. controlled the second half of the fight. Crawford’s just stirring the pot.”

Prominent figures in the sport have also weighed in. Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, praised Crawford for speaking out, stating, “Terence is one of the best in the game, and he’s calling it like he sees it. We’ve already raised concerns about the judging, and we’re pushing for a full review.” Meanwhile, former champion Carl Frampton, speaking on Boxing Social, urged caution. “I thought the fight was close, but I wouldn’t call it a robbery,” Frampton said. “Still, if someone like Crawford is this upset, it’s worth looking into.”

Eubank Jr.’s Camp Responds

Chris Eubank Jr.’s team has dismissed Crawford’s claims as “baseless.” In a statement to Sky Sports, Eubank Jr. said, “I won that fight fair and square. The judges saw what everyone in the stadium saw—I outboxed Benn. Crawford can say what he wants, but he wasn’t in the ring with me.” Eubank Jr.’s promoter, Ben Shalom, added, “This is just noise from people who can’t accept the result. Chris proved he was the better fighter, and the scorecards reflect that.”

Calls for Investigation

Crawford’s comments have added fuel to the growing calls for an investigation into the fight’s judging. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has confirmed it will review the scorecards and the officiating process, with a hearing expected in early May 2025. If irregularities are found, the fight result could be overturned, potentially leading to an immediate rematch—a prospect that has fans buzzing with anticipation.

Conor Benn, now 23-1, has yet to comment directly on Crawford’s support but has previously accused Eubank Jr.’s team of cheating, alleging they influenced the outcome. Eubank Jr., now 34-3, is looking ahead to a world title shot, but this controversy may delay those plans as the boxing world awaits the outcome of the investigation.

A Larger Issue in Boxing

Crawford’s outspoken criticism has also reignited broader discussions about the state of judging in boxing. “This isn’t just about Benn and Eubank Jr.,” Crawford said. “It’s about the sport as a whole. If we don’t fix the judging, fighters are going to keep getting robbed, and fans are going to lose faith in the sport. We need better accountability.”

As the controversy surrounding the Eubank Jr. vs. Benn fight continues to unfold, Terence Crawford’s bold stance has ensured that the spotlight remains firmly on the integrity of boxing. Whether the judges’ decision will be upheld or overturned, one thing is certain: this fight—and the drama surrounding it—will be remembered for years to come.