Eubank admits struggle ahead of Benn fight

IBO world middleweight champion Chris Eubank admitted he is “in pain” from the struggle of cutting weight just two days before his clash with bitter rival Conor Benn at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though he claims this physical toll pales in comparison to personal tragedies he’s endured. The bout, a non-title fight in the 160-pound middleweight division, pits Eubank Jr—who typically excels at 168 pounds in the super-middleweight class—against welterweight Benn, who is compelled to move up two weight divisions for what promoters are hailing as the “biggest fight in British boxing history” in terms of financial stakes.

To address his weight issues, Eubank Jr has accepted a rehydration clause following weigh-in, allowing him to add up to ten pounds before the fight. This procedure, however, carries inherent risks; medical experts warn that strict rehydration limits can deter a fighter from fully replenishing fluids and nutrients necessary to stave off fatigue and minimize the potential for brain injury.

At the final media conference, Eubank Jr contextualized his current weight woes against a backdrop of personal loss and family turmoil—recalling that his brother, Sebastian, tragically passed away from a heart attack and drowning in Dubai in 2021, leaving behind a young son. He also criticized his iconic father, Chris Eubank Sr, for being absent during this turbulent period, labeling him “a disgrace” for risking his health.

This fight rekindles an enduring family rivalry that dates back to the early 1990s when Eubank Sr. battled Conor Benn’s father, Nigel Benn, twice in memorable middleweight world title bouts. The original fight between their sons, scheduled for October 2022 at a lower catchweight of 157 pounds, was cancelled after Benn failed a voluntary drug test for clomiphene, a fertility drug. The incident has fueled further animosity, with Eubank Jr vowing to “erase” Benn and his promoter Eddie Hearn from the boxing scene.