Photo credit: www.skysports.com
Chris Eubank Jr recently weighed in just slightly over the allowable limit for his upcoming fight against Conor Benn, set to unfold on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The fighters have long been immersed in a rivalry that is now poised to reach its climax in this bout, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office. Eubank Jr. recorded a weight of 160.05 lbs, while Benn, moving up from welterweight, comfortably made the scale at 156.4 lbs.
Benn arrived first for the official weigh-in on Friday morning, with Eubank following him approximately 50 minutes later. During Eubank’s weigh-in, cameras were not permitted, and it was reported that he was marginally over the 160 lbs limit. Although efforts were made to shed a little extra weight, he still ended half an ounce over the threshold. Despite this, the fight will proceed, although Eubank faces a substantial financial penalty of roughly £375,000, which will be awarded to Benn.
What happens at tomorrow’s check weigh-in?
Both pugilists have mutually agreed to a 10 lb rehydration clause, which stipulates that they cannot exceed 170 lbs during Saturday morning’s check weigh-in, scheduled between 8 and 9 a.m. If Eubank fails to meet this weight requirement, he will incur another significant fine, although indications suggest that the fight will not be called off even if this occurs.
Eubank’s Struggles with Weight
Eubank, who has previously competed prominently in the super-middleweight division, faces ongoing challenges maintaining his status in the middleweight category. He openly acknowledged the difficulties associated with cutting weight. “It’s tough. I’m not going to lie. It’s not fun, it’s not nice. It’s part of the sport having to boil yourself down to a certain weight,” he remarked, underscoring the physical discomfort and challenges involved in this rigorous process.
Moreover, the constraints on hydration following the weigh-in contribute to his struggle, as he indicated, “Adding in the fact I can’t even drink as much as I want after the weigh-in adds another element of discomfort, hardship to what I’m going through.”
Unlike Eubank, Benn is moving up two weight classes and is expected to handle the increase relatively well. Having recently weighed in at 10 st 10 lbs for a fight with Peter Dobson in February 2024, he should not find the additional 10 lbs to be particularly taxing.
Concerns Over Eubank’s Ability to Make Weight
Eubank’s additional weigh-in on the morning of the fight raises questions about his ability to meet the stipulated weight limit once again. The agreement for this match means neither fighter can exceed 10 lbs over the middleweight limit during the morning check. Given that Benn, a natural welterweight, weighed in at 156.4 lbs, he’s not anticipated to gain much more weight before the fight.
According to Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, “In the ring probably just put on another 6 lbs, five or so, that’s it. 162, 163 lbs on the night.” This situation presents a significant challenge for Eubank, who might have to compensate for a weight disadvantage following the rehydration period. Hearn expressed confidence that Eubank will make the required weight on Saturday morning, yet he cautioned that failure to do so would result in substantial financial repercussions, an outcome Hearn suggested Eubank would want to avoid.
Final Confrontation at Ceremonial Weigh-in
Before their much-anticipated bout, Eubank Jr and Benn will face each other one last time at the ceremonial weigh-in, which will be streamed live on Sky Sports starting at 6 p.m. This event will also showcase the undercard fighters, including Chris Billam-Smith, Liam Smith, Anthony Yarde, and Viddal Riley, as they prepare to square off. A notable security presence ensured the two rivals stayed apart during their recent press conference, where they exchanged tense words in a preview of their confrontation.
Don’t miss Chris Eubank vs. Conor Benn live on Saturday, April 26, on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!
Source
www.skysports.com