Conor Benn needs his "fake aggression" to stay relevant, believes Harlem Eubank, as the Briton angles for a bout with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025.
The former has seen a turbulent two years after an adverse finding on the eve of his original fight with the latter, but looks clear to return next year.
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Reflecting on it, welterweight Eubank - who is due to fight for the first time in a year himself against Nurali Erdogan this month - says it is all he has to give.
"Conor was acting like himself," he told Sky Sports News. "A lot of fake aggression, fake machismo. For him, it's the only option
"To get embarrassed by Chris and still keep some kind of clout. He's fine with going up to 160lbs, getting beat up, and then coming back down.
"That's his position, it's a win-win for him. He can just move back down afterward and blame the weight."
Eubank admits he would like to face Benn himself, preferably in his hometown of Brighton, but admits it is unlikely.
"I want to fight back in Brighton next year," he added. "The reception was amazing last time, and I loved fighting in front of them.
"A big domestic fight could have been against Conor Benn, but he doesn't seem interested. We'll just keep pushing toward those world title opportunities."
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