Chris Eubank Jr Fails to Make Weight for Conor Benn Fight
The long-awaited clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn is set to take place this Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Sky Sports Box Office. However, Eubank Jr failed to make the weight limit at the official weigh-in on Friday morning, tipping the scales at 160.05lbs, just over the 160lb limit.
According to Sky Sports, Benn, who is moving up from welterweight, weighed in well under the limit at 156.4lbs. Eubank Jr was fractionally over the limit, and towels were brought into the room to help him work off the excess weight. However, he was still half an ounce over, resulting in a financial penalty of reportedly £375,000, which will go to Conor Benn.
As reported by Sky Sports, both fighters have agreed to a 10lb rehydration clause, meaning they cannot be above 170lb at Saturday morning’s check weigh-in, which will take place between 8 and 9am. Should Eubank Jr fail to make that weight, he will receive another hefty fine, although there is no indication that the fight would be called off.
Eubank Jr has struggled with making the middleweight limit in the past, having had several major mid-career fights at super-middleweight before returning to the 160lb division. As quoted by Sky Sports, he admitted that making weight is “tough” and “not fun”, adding that it’s “part of the sport having to boil yourself down to a certain weight”.
In contrast, Benn is stepping up two weight divisions for his fight against Eubank Jr, having come in at 10st 10lb for his last win over Peter Dobson in February 2024. As reported by Sky Sports, Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn expects Eubank Jr to make the weight on Saturday morning, warning that it will be “very expensive” for him if he doesn’t.
The final face-off between Eubank Jr and Benn will take place at tonight’s ‘Ceremonial weigh-in’, which will be streamed live on Sky Sports from 6pm. All of the undercard, including Chris Billam-Smith, Liam Smith, Anthony Yarde, and Viddal Riley, will also come face to face in front of the watching media.
The highly anticipated fight between Eubank Jr and Benn has generated significant interest, with a huge security presence at the final press conference on Thursday. The pair will have one last chance to exchange parting words before their showdown in London on Saturday.
Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the event, and fans can book their tickets for the fight on Sky Sports Box Office. The event promises to be an exciting and closely contested bout, with both fighters looking to make a statement in the ring.
Eubank Jr told Sky Sports that making middleweight ‘not fun’ for him and he added “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”.
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn also told Sky Sports that “It’ll be very expensive for him if he doesn’t and he loves a pound,” he said, adding that the fine for missing the rehydration clause would be “enough to make you not want to do it”.
The two fighters have a long-standing rivalry, and their clash on Saturday is expected to be a thrilling encounter. With Eubank Jr struggling to make the weight limit, it’s unclear how he will perform in the fight. Will he be able to overcome his weight struggles and secure a win, or will Benn take advantage of his opponent’s discomfort? Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the event, so be sure to tune in on Saturday to find out.
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