Shawn Porter has some inside perspective on what might happen when Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr go to war later this year.
Porter is a former two-time welterweight world champion who has shared the ring with some of the very best of the current generation.
His famous relentless style saw him take wins over the likes of Danny Garcia, Andre Berto, Adrien Broner and Paulie Malignaggi, though he lost against Kell Brook and Errol Spence Jr, along with eventual undisputed ruler Terence Crawford, after which he retired back in 2021.
Speaking this week to talkSPORT Boxing, the American revealed he had been sparring with Benn, who is in camp for his grudge match with Eubank Jr on April 26.
The fight has been a long time coming after Benn failed a drug test ahead of their pair’s first scheduled fight back in October 2022. Since then he has fought two low-key opponents in the US, going the distance with both, before being cleared to fight in the UK.
However, Porter reports he had his hands full with the Brit.
“We did three rounds today but I’m not coming back, especially if I got to fight that young man. What a talent man, honestly, what a talent.
“Getting in the ring and only being able to do three rounds today, that’s not good enough for me, I embarrassed myself. He looked great, really good boxer, he’s more athletic and a little faster than I knew he was. Good boxer.”
He was then asked how the weight gain will affect Benn, who will be moving up to middleweight to face Eubank, and how a 10 pound rehydration clause may hinder the bigger man.
“[The weight is] not a factor at all. The way I look at it, Conor will be the healthier fighter on fight night, he doesn’t have to drain himself and not eat or drink the healthy things that he will need on fight night.
“[The rehydration clause for Eubank] could be a factor on fight night, but it’s all about how both these fighters manage their nutrition.”
