Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are just hours away from facing off inside the ropes.
The rivalry, started by their father in the nineties, was first scheduled to be reignited back in 2022, however Benn’s failed doping test saw him in a battle with the British Boxing Board of Control and the UK Anti-Doping Agency until late last year, when his provisional suspension was lifted.
Speaking on Froch on Fighting, Hall of Fame world champion Carl Froch backed the more experienced Eubank, though did show concern over the contracted 10lbs rehydration clause which meant Eubank faced a hefty fine if he tipped the scales at more than 170 this morning.
“I personally feel Chris Eubank is probably too big for Conor Benn and he’s got too much experience at world level. I know he’s lost to Groves and Billy Joe Saunders, but he has got that win over Arthur Abraham, who I’ve been in with. That win against James DeGale. And James DeGale was a good fighter, he knew what he was doing. I know he was past his best but he’s shown [it] at super-middle.
“I’m not making as big a deal as Chris Eubank Sr is about the weight. I don’t think Junior is a natural super-middleweight. I’ve sparred with him. He’s not as tall as me, not as big as me. He’s proven he can fight at super-middle … I think he’s in between a middle and super-middle … I’m more concerned about the 10 pound rehydration clause. I don’t think there’s any need for that. It’s not a world title fight. That’s an IBF stipulation.”
How both men handle the weight will become clear this evening when they meet in the ring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Both Eubank and Benn successfully met the rehydration clause, with Eubank weighing in at 169.4lbs.
