Weighty issues surrounded Chris Eubank Jnr-Conor Benn negotiations

By the time Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn had to be pulled apart after their press conference fracas, the fighters had already discussed the issue of the weight the bout between the welterweight Benn, and Eubank Jnr – who has campaigned at super middleweight – will be fought at. 

Eubank first brought up the topic. BoxingScene reported in January that the fight was made at 160lbs, and the fighters have to weigh no more than 170lbs on the morning of the bout on April 26 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“It wasn’t something we expected,” said Eubank Jnr’s promoter, Ben Shalom, of the stipulation. “The weight limits, the rehydration, it caused a lot of controversy and it wasn’t right. This was something that was added in last minute; it’s something we will deal with. 

“Chris is a professional and he will make it the way he should, but it’s not something you typically see in boxing. Not at this level. Not on the day, and it’s just another thing that puts a bit of a downer on the event when it’s an unbelievable event for British boxing and it wasn’t agreed until 24 hours before a contract was signed.”

The 28-year-old Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, then fired a missive at Shalom, telling Eubank Jnr: “You better get some better people working for you, son… it was agreed in the contract.”

Eubank Jnr replied: “What was agreed was the fight would happen, and that Conor Benn can beat Chris Eubank at any weight. That’s what was agreed. Then, all of a sudden, we get demands from Conor and his team… you guys sprung it on us…”

Benn, who had considerably less to say than his adversary during Tuesday’s press conference in Manchester, interrupted saying: “Stop covering your arse for when you get knocked out.”

But Eubank Jnr continued: “I like a challenge, okay. When Eddie and Conor started demanding there was a rehydration clause for this fight, guess what I said? Show me the money. Show me the money. That’s what I said…. You’ve got to pay top dollar. I’m being paid to restrict my weight.”

By this point, those on stage were swapping rapid-fire exchanges.

“No, you’re on a weight penalty if you miss it,” Hearn said.

“Chris was paid to do this,” said Shalom. 

“Are you gonna make the weight?” asked Hearn.

Then Eubank Jnr, 35, added: “Now this rehydration situation – I’ve never done it before. Usually, I put on around 14lbs after a weigh-in. So I have two ways of approaching this. I can either restrict what I eat and drink so I make weight the next day, or I eat and drink as much as I want, rehydrate as much as I usually do, and then I will jump in a sauna or steam-room on fight day, get the four pounds off I’m supposed to get and I’ll hit that number they want me to hit. “I don’t know which one I’m gonna do, it’s a gut thing. On the day, I will decide.”

Later, Eubank Jnr said: “It’s actually irrelevant, whether there’s weight clauses or restrictions. It doesn’t change the outcome of the fight.”

The IBF used to enforce a 10lbs weight restriction and it is believed that that was the guide upon which negotiations took place. The IBF have since switched that amount to 12lbs.

“Will it make a difference? I’m not going to lose the fight if that’s what you mean,” said Eubank Jnr. “Will I be affected? Of course I will. I’m being restricted from how much I can eat and drink, so there will be a slight disadvantage, but I’m being paid so I will accept that challenge. It’s very simple.”

Boxxer’s Shalom then challenged Team Benn, asking: “If you’re that confident, why’s there’s a rematch clause in this contract?”

“You asked for a two-fight deal,” Hearn replied.

Eubank Jnr was also asked about why his team had been quiet. He was flanked by both Ronnie Davies, who trained his father, and his coach Johnathon Banks.

“This is not a team sport – it’s going to be me and Conor hurting each other in a few months’ time,” Eubank Jnr explained. “So all this bullshit you guys are going back and forth about is irrelevant. Nobody’s going to remember it.”