Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn meet in the ring this week after almost three years of build-up. Former world champion Kell Brook has weighed in on how the fight might unfold.
The two Brits were first scheduled to face off in October of 2022 before it was revealed Benn had twice tested positive for a banned substance. Late last year he had a provisional suspension in the UK lifted and the teams signed for this bout quickly.
There are many threads to focus on when picking a winner, including the fact that the fight is at the middleweight limit of 160lbs – comfortable for Eubank, though he will be restricted by a 10lbs rehydration clause, and completely new to Benn, who is a natural 147 pounder.
Speaking to IFL TV, Brook revealed that he favours the bigger man in a close match-up.
“It’s a good fight. I think the weight is a big [factor] in the fight. I’ve got to favour Eubank just because of the size, the long arms. He’s been at a higher level than Conor. Conor’s not got to that level yet. But it’s a big fight, a good fight. Conor’s training very hard. They both are. It’s a pick ’em fight, very interesting, but I lean towards Eubank.”
In the time since the first fight was canned, Benn has fought twice at 154, picking up two points wins. Eubank was stopped by Liam Smith but avenged that loss in the same way in an immediate rematch. Last October, he stopped Kamil Szeremeta inside seven rounds.
The pair face off this coming Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
