Luke Humphries hits back at fans over ‘boring’ claims and compares him vs Luke Littler to iconic boxing rivalry
Luke Humphries, the world No. 1 darts player, passionately addressed fans’ complaints that his frequent Premier League Darts matchups with Luke Littler are “boring,” comparing their rivalry to the iconic boxing clash between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn. The comments came after Humphries edged out Littler 6-5 in a thrilling final on Night 14 in Leeds on May 8, 2025, securing his third nightly win of the season. The victory, reported by The Irish Sun, marked their sixth encounter in 14 weeks of the 2025 Premier League, prompting some fans to criticize the repetitive nature of their high-stakes battles.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Humphries dismissed the “boring” claims, arguing that watching the world’s best players compete is a privilege. “I understand that when you’re playing each other a lot it does get tedious. But for me as a sports fan, I just personally love seeing the best go against each other,” he said. He drew a parallel to the electrifying Eubank Jr. vs. Benn boxing match, stating, “You watch boxing and you see Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, what a fight that was, do I want to see that 20 times? Yeah, I would, because it was a great fight. I wouldn’t want to watch them fight against other people that weren’t as good, because it wouldn’t be as fun.” Humphries emphasized that their clashes, like elite boxing bouts, elevate the sport, with their Leeds final showcasing intense drama as both missed match darts at the bullseye before Humphries sealed it with a 52 checkout, averaging 100.96.
The Humphries-Littler rivalry, which began with Humphries’ 7-4 win over a then-16-year-old Littler in the 2024 World Championship final, has become darts’ defining duel. In 2024, they won 17 titles combined, with Humphries claiming six majors, including the World Matchplay, and Littler leading their head-to-head 8-6, per The Independent. Their friendly dynamic, free of animosity, contrasts with past darts rivalries like Taylor vs. Van Barneveld, yet Humphries insists it’s compelling enough, telling SportsBoom, “Do you want to see the best players in the world playing against each other, or do you not want to wait six months for it?” Posts on X, like @IrishSunSport, echoed his defense, framing their matchups as must-watch spectacles.
Humphries’ Leeds win, where he wore a Leeds United-inspired shirt, kept him in contention for the Premier League top spot, trailing Littler by nine points with two nights remaining. Both have secured play-off spots for May 29, and Humphries expressed eagerness for another final against Littler, saying, “I just love playing against him. It gets you out of bed and makes you want to play better.” Despite Littler’s media spotlight—nominated for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year—Humphries remains unfazed, focusing on titles over fame. Their rivalry, likened to boxing’s best, continues to drive darts’ boom, with fans urged to embrace the elite competition.
