Fight Day 5K brings Oxford Street to a standstill ahead of Eubank Jr vs. Benn

Hundreds of runners brought Central London to a standstill on Saturday morning, as the Matchroom x Everlast Fight Day 5K completely shut down Oxford Street in the build-up to the legacy defining all-British showdown between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A record number of participants flocked to FLANNELS X on Oxford Street, forming a sea of fans, fighters and friends of the fight game – as Matchroom and Everlast joined forces to kick off a truly historic fight day with a bang.

Once everyone had checked in and registered, runners were invited downstairs into the store’s basement area, where giant immersive screens, a live DJ and our partners at Drip and FuelHub greeted them to keep pre-run energy high.

Our friends at Conc3pt London oversaw event operations throughout, providing secure bag drop, on-site staff and a smooth participant experience from start to finish.

Also lacing up for the run were several Matchroom fighters, taking time out of their training camps to hit the road with fans.

Among them were teenage heavyweight sensation Leo Atang, the newest addition to the Matchroom ranks; Giorgio Visioli, one of world boxing’s most exciting prospects, fresh off another eye-catching performance in Sheffield; and Kieron Conway, preparing to add the British Middleweight Title to his Commonwealth belt on next month’s Fisher vs Allen II undercard.

They were joined by former WBC Featherweight World Champion Skye Nicolson, on the comeback trail after her first professional defeat; rising star Shannon Ryan, also out next month; and fan favourite Craig Richards, a mainstay of Matchroom’s light-heavyweight scene.

Chris Webb MP joined the action too, becoming the first sitting Member of Parliament to take part in the Fight Day 5K. The MP for Blackpool South and Vice-Chair of the APPG on Boxing has been a vocal supporter of Matchroom’s work in the community since taking office 12-months ago.

With anticipation for the start building, Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn delivered his welcome speech alongside the CEO of Frasers Group, Michael Murray – before handing over to Kai Peacock, Matchroom’s Head of Fitness and Wellbeing, to conduct a dynamic warm-up.

As the crowd spilled out of the store onto Oxford Street, music blasted from speakers and megaphones crackled into life, guiding runners into suitably paced groups for all abilities.

An army of volunteers from Manchester Road Runners, Run the Streets MCR and NLB lined the street, helping manage the flow of people as the run moved into position.

From a rolling start outside Oxford Circus Tube Station, the crowd made their way down one of the busiest retail stretches in the world. With traffic paused and heads turning, the group surged past the BBC and into Regent’s Park, looping around the Inner Circle before returning along the same route.

A full Central London takeover – and a defining moment in the evolution of Matchroom’s Fight Day 5K series.

Alex Le Guével, Matchroom’s Head of Community Development and the driving force behind the initiative, spoke to what the event symbolises.

“Community like this doesn’t happen overnight – it’s built day by day, fight by fight, run by run,” said Le Guével.

“Today was the clearest sign yet that what we’re doing matters. These streets don’t close for just anyone – but they did for this,” he continued.

“The bar is raised. The movement is real – and it’s only just beginning.”

Echoing this sentiment, Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn underlined the importance of building something deeper than just fight nights – recognising the Fight Day 5K as part of a growing movement that brings the sport closer to the people who live it every day.

“This is the sport at its best – not just what happens under the lights, but what happens on the streets in the build-up,” said Hearn.

“We talk about legacy – and this is part of it. You could feel it today – the fight, the run, the moment. It’s growing every time.”

The run served as the perfect lead-in to Eubank Jr. vs Benn, a clash steeped in history and fuelled by decades of family rivalry. With a sold-out crowd set to descend on Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the atmosphere was already building hours before the first bell.

With the 5K complete, runners returned to FLANNELS X for the now-customary press-up challenge, led by Eddie Hearn and judged by the fighters in attendance – with fight night tickets on the line for the winner.

FuelHub were on hand with post-run nutrition, while Drip kept everyone hydrated with premium water. The DJ kept the energy up, building on the buzz already in the room and rounding off a morning that was as much about community as it was competition.

Each Fight Day 5K pushes the bar higher – but this one, in the heart of London, will be remembered as a milestone.

With Eubank Jr. vs Benn just hours away and Oxford Street alive with the sound of trainers on tarmac, the message was unmistakable: this isn’t just about fight night. It’s about building something lasting – run by run, city by city.

If you attended Saturday’s Matchroom x Everlast Fight Day 5K, you can access all event images here.