Former boxing champion Chris Eubank has reopened his war of words with rival Nigel Benn.

Thirteen years after Hove-based Eubank beat Benn to become the middleweight boxing champion, the pair met again in the ring in a Gladiator-style contest.

They were taught ancient Roman combat skills for the match-up but Eubank has accused Benn of not playing fair and of taking the novelty bout too seriously.

Eubank said: "I went there to play a game, recite some poetry, stay in the best hotels and have a good time with my wife.

"But I walked into the most gruelling, terrifying situation I've ever been in.

"I trained for two weeks but he had trained for three months. He was taking it 100 per cent more seriously."

Eubank was forced to concede defeat in the fight because of a head wound.

The bout will be shown on Channel 5 next week.