Chris Eubank Jr has revealed that mending his fractured relationship with his father remains an ongoing process, despite their public reunion before April's victory over Conor Benn.
The 36-year-old boxer acknowledged significant progress has been made since ending their four-year estrangement, yet emphasised that complete reconciliation hasn't been achieved.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's rematch with Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Eubank Jr disclosed that he recently celebrated his birthday with his father for the first time in six years.
The occasion featured meaningful discussions about their relationship, marking another step towards healing their familial bond.
Chris Eubank Jr and Chris Eubank Sr haven't been close for a long time earlier this year
| PA"It's not been easy," Eubank Jr told Mail Online. "It's not an overnight thing."
The dramatic reconciliation occurred when Eubank Sr unexpectedly appeared at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium moments before his son's bout with Benn in April.
Following years of silence between them, the boxing legend's presence provided crucial emotional support during the hard-fought twelve-round victory.
However, Eubank Jr cautioned against assumptions that their relationship has fully healed.
"People might think: 'Well, he came to the fight and now they're all lovey again.' No, it's not that," he said.
Chris Eubank Jr had been urged to retire by his father following his win over Conor Benn
| REUTERSThe middleweight contender described their relationship as still requiring significant repair work.
"There are still holes and cracks that need to be filled in our relationship as father and son," he told DAZN, whilst expressing confidence about eventual restoration.
The boxer's recent 36th birthday celebration represented a watershed moment in their reconciliation journey.
"We actually had some conversations which we've never had before, which is pretty incredible," Eubank Jr revealed to DAZN about the occasion spent with his father.
During their time together, the pair addressed fundamental aspects of their relationship whilst sharing meals and reminiscing about past experiences.
Eubank Jr reflected on the significance of family bonds, saying: "What's more important than family? The watch, the car, the clothes, the fame? The fighting? The boxing?"
He emphasised that material success pales beside genuine happiness with loved ones.
Chris Eubank Sr reconciled with his son Chris Eubank Jr as he beat Conor Benn earlier this year | PA"No amount of money can replace that, no amount of fame can surpass being truly happy with the people around you, your loved ones. It means everything to me."
Despite their improving personal connection, Eubank Jr maintains clear professional boundaries with his father.
"We've not spoken too much about the tactics," he said, confirming that Eubank Sr remains uninvolved in his training preparations for the rematch.
The boxer stressed the importance of distinguishing between their familial bond and professional boxing careers.
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Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are set to re-settle their grudge match
| Reuters"That's what I've wanted for many years, to separate the sport from the father-and-son relationship," he explained.
Whilst acknowledging the difficulty this separation poses for his father, Eubank Jr insisted on maintaining his independence. "I've done so much now of my own accord, it's never going to revert back to the days when I was like: 'What do I do, dad?'"