Nigel Benn has defended Chris Eubank Jr for his behaviour ahead of this weekend's grudge match with his son, Conor.

Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will finally settle their differences on Saturday night, 35 years after Nigel and Chris Sr fought for the first time to kickstart an epic family rivalry.

Chris Sr won their first fight before the rematch was scored a draw three years later. This weekend, Nigel will be at ringside to support his son, but Eubank Sr has vowed to stay away after branding his son 'a disgrace' for slapping Conor with an egg at the launch press conference for their fight in February.

Eubank Jr pulled off the stunt after Conor bizarrely claiming that eating too many eggs could have caused his failed drugs tests prior to their cancelled bout back in October 2022.

In response, Eubank Sr said last week: 'That is disgraceful. I’m going to be in your corner? I would never have been in your corner; that is a disgrace.

'You are smashing an egg in someone’s face, and you are trying to justify it. There is no justification for it. There is nothing noble about that.'

Nigel believes Chris Sr is being too harsh on his son, and has admitted he is 'sad' that his former foe will not at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking at Wednesday's public workouts, Nigel told Sky Sports: 'I'm so sad Chris is not here, it's a family affair, I don't like to see a father and son fall out publicly, sort out your issues behind closed doors and make up.

'I wish Chris didn't say that about his son publicly. Regardless of him smashing the egg, he's not a disgrace, he's done really well for himself, he shouldn't be saying that in public about his son and I'm sad about that. I wish Chris backed his son.'

Eubank Sr was visibly emotional as he called for his son's fight with Conor to be banned last week.

In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport, Chris Sr raised concerns about both fighters potentially suffering brain damage as he pointed out his son has fought up at the super-middleweight limit of 168lbs, while Conor has spent most of his career as a welterweight, where boxers must weigh 147lbs or less. 

Saturday's fight is a middleweight contest, but does have a rehydration clause, with neither man able to weigh more than 170lbs on the morning of the fight. 

Eubank Sr is concerned for the health of both men, having been involved in a near-fatal fight with Michael Watson back in 1991.

Watson spent 40 days in a coma and needed six brain operations after their rematch 34 years ago.

He reunited with Eubank Sr for a charity walk last week, who subsequently took the opportunity to call out his son's actions in public.