Chris Eubank Jr has narrowly missed the middleweight limit ahead of his highly anticipated bout with Conor Benn, tipping the scales just half an ounce over the 160lb threshold during Friday’s official weigh-in.
The bout, which headlines Ring Magazine’s inaugural boxing event at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday, has been surrounded by scrutiny over weight agreements – particularly due to the history between the two fighters.
Originally scheduled for a 157lb catchweight clash back in October 2022, this rescheduled contest was set at the full middleweight limit, with an additional 10lb rehydration clause in effect for fight day. Neither fighter can weigh more than 170lbs on Saturday morning.
While Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) comfortably came in under the limit at 156lbs 4oz after goading his rival by calling him ‘fat boy’ at Thursday’s final press conference, Eubank Jr (34-3, 25 KOs), who has previously competed as high as super middleweight (168lbs), came in at 160.05lbs on his second attempt after initially weighing 160.2lbs. He will now be fined $500,000 (£375,000) under the terms of the contract.
As per the fight agreement, Eubank Jr must weigh under 170lbs when he weighs in again tomorrow morning. If he fails to do so, he will be fined a further $500,000 (£375,000)
Eubank Jr turned up late to the weigh-in after trying everything to get down to 160lbs, as he posted a video of himself working out on a bike while wearing a full sauna suit on Friday. He was then seen lying on the floor in a large heat bag as he attempted to sweat out the remaining pounds. However, it was still not enough to get inside the limit.
Benn goaded his rival at Thursday’s press conference by calling him ‘fat boy’ and made weight comfortably himself
But Eubank Jr missed the middleweight limit by half an ounce and will now have to pay a $500,000 fine ahead of Saturday’s fight with Benn
Benn was quick to react to the news of Eubank Jr missing weight, taking to social media to play the meme ‘show me the money’ while laughing into camera.
The weigh-in controversy follows repeated public warnings from Chris Eubank Sr, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the fight due to concerns over his son’s health – as well as Benn’s health stepping up in weight.
The former world champion has been particularly alarmed by the weight demands placed on Eubank Jr, especially in light of the 157lb catchweight initially agreed upon for their first scheduled bout in 2022.
Eubank Sr has been vocal about the dangers of weight cutting, drawing from personal tragedy. His brother, Simon, suffered from boxing-related brain damage, and his son, Sebastian, died of a heart attack in 2021.
‘They’re putting a fight on that is against the law of boxing,’ an emotional Eubank Sr told Mail Sport last week.
‘I told my son three years ago, that fight does not happen,’ Eubank Sr continued. ‘He is the wrong weight. I told him why it shouldn’t happen and why it will not happen. I was correct last time and I will be correct this time.
‘We can’t have any more Michael Watsons. He is the people’s champion. You are getting blinded by this circus put on by these promoters. Barry (Hearn), your son (Eddie Hearn) said there’s real hate now. What hate? It’s just money. There’s no hate.
‘The hate is in the promoters’ mindset. I wish you (Chris Jr) would listen but I know you won’t.’
In a separate interview, Sr branded his son ‘a disgrace’ for slapping Benn around the face with an egg at the launch press conference for their fight in February, and vowed not to attend Saturday’s grudge match.
He posted a video of himself cycling in a full sauna suit on Friday as he tried to sweat out the remaining pounds
Eubank Jr also got into a large heat bag but could not get down to 160lbs
Chris Eubank Sr urged his son to pull out of the fight last week due to concerns about his health
He also branded Eubank Jr ‘a disgrace’ and vowed not to be in his corner on Saturday night
Eubank Sr was furious his son slapped Benn with an egg at at press conference in February
Asked for his thoughts on Eubank Jr’s stunt, Sr said: ‘That is disgraceful. I’m going to be in your corner? I would never have been in your corner; that is a disgrace.
‘You are smashing an egg in someone’s face, and you are trying to justify it. There is no justification for it. There is nothing noble about that.’
Speaking to Mail Sport about his father’s concerns during camp, Eubank Jr said: ‘Of course he’s scared of losing another son. But this is my life. I can’t stop my dreams because he’s worried about what will happen to me. I understand it. But I can’t stop what I am destined to do.’
However, at 160lbs, Eubank Jr is back in more familiar territory than the original 157lbs catchweight.
But, it’s the strict rehydration clause that presents Eubank with a new challenge.
Typically, Eubank Jr rehydrates significantly after weigh-ins, often gaining up to 15lbs before entering the ring. However, the contract for this bout stipulates that he must not exceed 170lbs on the morning of the fight, effectively limiting his rehydration to 10lbs.
This restriction is a departure from his usual post-weigh-in routine and adds an extra layer of difficulty to his preparation. The rehydration clause aims to ensure a level playing field, particularly given Benn’s move up from the welterweight division.
Eubank Sr has spoken passionately about weight cutting after his brother, Simon (right), suffered from boxing-related brain damage and died in 2023 following a battle with dementia
Eubank Sr also lost his son, Sebastian (pictured), after he suffered a heart attack in Dubai in 2021
When speaking to Sky Sports about the weight cut, Eubank Jr said: ‘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. Adding in the fact I can’t even drink as much as I want after the weigh-in adds another element of discomfort, hardship to what I’m going through.’
Speaking to Mail Sport during a recent visit to his training camp, Eubank Jr revealed he made the decision to work with a nutritionist for the first time in preparation for this fight. ‘I’ve never felt like I needed a nutritionist before,’ he said. ‘I’ve never missed weight before. But I’m following a plan now. Usually I just trust my own instincts and my own knowledge. But, I have made a change for this camp.’
He has now missed weight for the first time since turning professional in 2011, and the 35-year-old will still need to adhere to the strict rehydration limit on Saturday morning, with further financial penalties on the table should he come in above 170lbs.
A ceremonial weigh-in will take place at 6pm GMT at the Business Design Centre in Islington, where both fighters and undercard competitors will face off in front of fans. The official second-day weigh-in is scheduled for early Saturday morning.
