Conor Benn shows true colours with response to Chris Eubank Jr defeat

Conor Benn was quick to praise Chris Eubank Jr as he refused to make excuses for his first career defeat.

Benn was beaten by his bitter rival in front of 67,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after 12 brutal rounds on Saturday night. All three ringside judges gave Eubank Jr the nod by a score of 116-112 with Eubank Jr sinking to his knees when the result was read out.

Benn looked desolate as he was consoled by his dad who himself had two fights with Chris Eubank Sr in the 1990s. And he admitted he had to perform better after falling short. "It's a hard one to swallow," he said. "I didn't come into the fight thinking it would be that close, I didn't come into the fight to lose, I didn't come into it for anything other than winning. I wasn't good enough and I have to do better. I didn't think I lost the fight, but I don't want to be delusional, I think it was a close fight and that's it.

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"I could have done better; 14 months out of the ring maybe played a factor in the fight. But what an amazing turnout, it really did feel like my homecoming. I wish him well, i know he's gone to hospital. I've heard he has a broken jaw so I wish him a speedy recovery. I'd like to thank Senior because this is a family affair, it wouldn't have been the same if he hasn't been there."

Of the result, Benn added: ""I couldn't really hear to be honest, I heard it was unanimous, I heard Sky had me a point up going into thew 11th round. It's a hard one because I felt like it could have been a draw, it could have gone his way, or my way. All I know is I gave everything I had in there tonight but it wasn't enough so I need to do better."

Both fighters had agreed to a rematch before the bout and Benn said: "Do you know what's hard, it was so close, and I just didn't get the nod, and that's what's painful. If it was as close as people are saying it is, that's what is painful. I wasn't outclassed, I wasn't hurt, I just couldn't pull the trigger.

"It's one of those things; do I avenge the loss or do I drop back to 147lb and win a title. It's a tough one but I feel like I want to get revenge." Promoter Eddie Hearn added: "The terms are already agreed for the rematch."