In a surprising turn of events at the official weigh-in, Conor Benn tipped the scales heavier than his rival Chris Eubank Jr ahead of their highly anticipated grudge rematch this Saturday.
The Scales Tell a New Story
Seven months after their brutal first encounter at the same venue, the fighters returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a sequel fraught with tension. This time, the drama on the scales unfolded differently. Benn registered a weight of 159.4lb, a full three pounds heavier than he was for their April bout. Eubank Jr, meanwhile, came in at 159.1lb, almost a pound lighter than his previous weight.
The lead-up to their first fight was marred by a weight controversy, where Eubank Jr failed to make the middleweight limit by a mere 0.05lbs. That miss cost him a staggering £375,000 fine. For this rematch, the same strict financial penalties were in place, but both fighters successfully made weight, avoiding a last-minute crisis.
A History of Bad Blood and Health Concerns
The rivalry between Benn and Eubank Jr is deeply personal. Their first encounter was preceded by Eubank Jr slapping Benn with an egg during a press conference, setting the tone for a hostile build-up. The aftermath of the fight was equally dramatic, as Eubank Jr spent two nights in hospital suffering from severe dehydration sustained during his weight cut.
This health scare was not lost on Benn, who took a verbal jab at his opponent during their final face-off. "Looking well," Benn said. "Bit slim around the cheekbones. I'm slightly hoping you miss weight again, just a little bit... I'm hoping you're well recovered. Have you got 10 toes? 10 toenails?" This comment referenced Eubank Jr's own claim that he lost a toenail due to the extreme dehydration before their first fight.
Family Drama and Retirement Pleas
Outside the ring, Eubank Jr's family life has also been a focal point. His father, British boxing legend Chris Eubank Sr, had been estranged from his son for four years but shocked the boxing world by appearing at the first fight, helping to repair their fractured relationship.
However, the reconciliation has come with a paternal plea. Eubank Jr revealed, "My father wants me to retire. He does not want me to continue on in this sport. He knows how dangerous it is." Despite this, Eubank Sr will be in his son's corner for support on fight night.
The stage is now set for a explosive conclusion to this bitter feud. The 12-round middleweight rematch takes place on Saturday, November 15, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The main event ringwalks are expected at approximately 9:50 PM UK time, and the bout will be broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view.
