As the clock ticks down to one of British boxing’s most anticipated showdowns, Chris Eubank Jnr has ignited a fresh wave of controversy—this time by narrowly missing the middleweight limit ahead of his clash with Conor Benn, triggering a hefty £375,000 fine. The misstep, just half an ounce over the 160lb threshold, could prove more than just financially damaging, casting a long shadow over Saturday’s bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With the fight contract including a strict 10lb rehydration clause—capping Eubank’s weight at 170lbs on fight morning—the 35-year-old is now walking a nutritional tightrope. Should he tip the scales above the limit during the official 8am weigh-in on Saturday, further deductions from his reported £7 million purse may follow.
The clause, designed to curb any post-weigh-in size advantage, has become a focal point of concern—especially for Eubank’s father, Chris Eubank Snr. A legendary figure in British boxing, Snr has long decried the weight-cutting demands placed on his son. His unease traces back to the original 2022 iteration of this match-up, which collapsed following Benn’s failed drug tests. Though that fight was contracted at a 157lb catchweight, Saturday’s contest allows Eubank Jnr to come in at 160lbs—still a challenging mark for someone who’s fought as high as super-middleweight.
Friday’s weigh-in was a scene of frantic exertion. Eubank, having sweated out the final pounds in a sauna suit, initially arrived minutes before the cut-off and came in two ounces over. His second attempt only shaved that down to half an ounce—just enough to incur a financial penalty, but not enough to avoid speculation about his condition heading into the ring.
Meanwhile, Conor Benn, who weighed in comfortably at 156lb 4oz, appeared unfazed. This marks Benn’s first UK fight following the resolution of a prolonged legal battle stemming from his positive tests for clomifene. The son of Nigel Benn, who twice battled Eubank Snr in iconic 1990s contests, appears keen to carry forward the family rivalry with his own brand of psychological warfare. His cheeky response to Eubank’s fine on social media only added spice to an already simmering build-up.
Eubank Jnr’s fluctuating weight is not the only issue raising eyebrows. Earlier this year, he was fined £100,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control for slapping Benn with an egg during a heated press event—another flashpoint that highlights the bitter undercurrent of this modern-day grudge match.
The unique demands of this bout have stirred concern in the boxing community. While some pundits still tip Eubank as the favourite due to his natural size and experience at higher weight classes, others warn that the intense weight cut and restricted rehydration window could leave him drained and vulnerable. The idea of entering the ring at suboptimal condition—potentially without the recovery time his body is accustomed to—has fuelled debate about fighter safety and the broader implications of weight-related clauses.
Adding to the emotional complexity is the father-son dynamic. Eubank Snr’s public disapproval of the fight has been unrelenting, describing the match-up as a violation of boxing ethics and expressing fears for his son’s wellbeing. For Eubank Jnr, the burden is not just physical but deeply personal—caught between legacy, pride, and the pursuit of glory.
As the stage is set for what could be a career-defining night for both men, the story has become bigger than belts and bragging rights. It’s a tale of risk, rivalry, and rebellion—where half an ounce could carry the weight of everything.
