We have a fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight (Saturday April 26), Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn is FINALLY here.
After more than two years of waiting – their planned 2022 fight was called off following failed drugs tests by Conor (he has since been cleared of wrongdoing) – these two sons of famous fighting fathers will at last meet in centre ring.
A crowd of more than 60,000 fans is expected to be on hand at the Premier League football stadium, and the bout will air live on DAZN PPV globally and on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK (price £19.95). It is a huge event, not just a boxing match.
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The biggest subplot to this one – apart from the rivalry between their fathers in the 1990s (more on that to come) – is the weight. It’s a huge talking point, and for very good reason. The official weigh-in took place in London on Friday evening, with yet more drama ensuing, and here is where we are at.
Eubank Jr vs Benn official weights
Conor (23-0 with 14 wins inside distance) weighed in first, and tipped the scales at 156.25lbs – well under the middleweight limit of 160lbs (11st 6lbs). But things got interesting.
Eubank Jr was next onto scales, and he missed weight – coming in just OVER that 160lbs limit at 160.05lbs. The fight will go ahead, but it will cost Chris a ton of money – a fine of a reported £375,000 to be exact.
So we have ourselves a fight, and Eubank Jr is already losing some money, but the drama does not end there. Today, fight day, will bring more drama on the scales. Now we’ll tell you why.
Rehydration clause
The reason for today’s drama is the rehydration clause in the contracts for this fight. It says neither fighter can way more than 170lbs when they are again weighed later today. If they are, more chaos – and likely fines – will ensue.
That 170lbs should not be an issue for Conor – he’s fought most of his career at welterweight (147lbs) and had plenty to spare under the 160 limit on Friday.
Eubank Jr though is a different matter, cutting weight to 160 proved impossible, so how weakened will he be by only being allowed to rehydrate to 170 today? Normally he’d go much higher than that by the time he steps into the ring.
It’s a fascinating plot, and one which carries significant jeopardy and danger for both men, it will further unfold as today continues.
