With around six weeks to go, Barry McGuigan has given his views on the fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
There has been a long build up to this fight that goes all the way back to 2022. In October of that year, the generational rivals were due to fight one another for the first time, but Benn tested positive for a banned substance.
The fight was pulled just days out and, ever since, Benn has protested his innocence. He was cleared to fight on home soil late last year, although did have take two keep-busy fights out in the USA, winning both on points.
Eubank has fought on three occasions. He lost his initial battle with Liam Smith, being knocked down and stopped for the first time in his career, but got revenge in the rematch with a KO of his own. In October 2024, he stopped Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta inside seven rounds.
The 35-year-old from Brighton is the naturally bigger man and this fight will be contested at 160 pounds, which favours him and means Benn will be coming up two of divisions from his comfortable 147.
Speaking to Seconds Out, former world champion McGuigan was asked about the rehydration clause which means Eubank must weigh no more than 170lbs no later than 10AM on the morning of the fight. Though many see is as hindering Eubank, McGuigan believes he will still be a healthy weight come the first bell.
“That means he has 10AM to 9PM that night to put even more on. He’ll be 170 on the morning, comfortably inside that, then he can whack on as much as he wants between 10AM and the fight time … There’s the issue.”
The Hall of Fame fighter then broke down the fight, siding with Benn but ultimately branding it a pick ’em.
“I would have said Benn has the edge because he’s lively and punching hard and he’s settling into the pro game very well. Eubank is more experienced but he got cracked by Smith.
“I know he did the same to Smith in the return but when guys have resistance then get knocked down and knocked out, it takes something away from them that they never get back. Would give Benn the edge. He’s fast, he’s quick, he can beat Eubank to the punch but Eubank is tough. It’s a really 50-50 fight.”
