Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn had ‘unofficial’ third fight with ancient swords

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    Nigel Benn was unable to beat rival Chris Eubank in the boxing ring, but did at least come out victorious in their 'unofficial' third fight in a Roman-style battle.

    Eubank knocked Benn out during their first meeting in 1990 and then their second clash was a draw three years later. However, 10 years after their famous Old Trafford second meeting, Channel 5 got them back competing in a programme titled ‘Gladiator: Benn v Eubank’.

    Taking place in Rome, the rivals competed in a series of challenges culminating in a Roman style fight with ancient swords and shields involved. Unsurprisingly the warring rivals took the tasks a bit too seriously.

    READ MORE: Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr needed protecting in one of boxing's darkest weeks

    Benn had understood what the programme would entail and trained ahead of filming starting and won the first endurance challenge, while Eubank was taken aback by the physicality of the challenges. And television viewers didn't have to wait long for the old rivalry to resurface.

    On day two the pair were chained together and challenged with guarding the other’s back with a shield in the task named ‘Defend Your Enemy’. Eubank won and said: “He’s only interested in looking after himself, that’s my observation." Adding further tension he suggested that they should introduce boxing gloves and “have a little session”.

    Which rivals would you like to see compete in a Roman style battle? Let us know in the comments section

    Unsurprisingly Benn responded by pushing his rival – sparking an angry scene and the pair were separated by their trainers. The challenges continued with Eubank winning a spear throwing task but Benn proved the fitter, winning two others.

    The show was billed around a three-round fight in a Roman amphitheatre. Firstly the pair met with swords and shields. In the second round they had a mace and the third was a Greco-Roman wrestling contest. Benn was up for the challenge and said: “I’m going for the neck, the jugular, all the vital parts.”

    Eubank was visibly shocked and suffered a cut near his eye and on the lip in the opening round. “He’s not a pussycat in there playing games," said Eubank. "Look at me, this is not fake blood.”

    Benn continued his onslaught in the second round and hit his rival with a blunted mace, dropping him to the ground. Despite Eubank smacking him on the head in response, that would be the last of the battle. Before wrestling a fitter Benn in the third round, the former super-middleweight world champion pulled out, highlighting his cuts and a sprained wrist and jarred neck hehad suffered in training as his excuse.

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