Chris Eubank Jr was just over the limit at the official weigh-in for Saturday’s clash with Conor Benn.
The British duo will finally settle their rivalry at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and Eubank Jr weighed in at 160.05lbs, while Benn, who is moving up from welterweight, came in well under the limit at 156.4lbs.
Benn arrived first for the official weigh-in on Friday morning, whereas Eubank took to the scales about 50 minutes after him.
No cameras were permitted to film Eubank, who was fractionally over the 160lb limit. Towels were brought into the room, Eubank then departed to work off a touch more weight but he was still half an ounce over.
The fight goes ahead but there will be a financial penalty for Eubank, reportedly £375,000 that will go to Conor Benn.
Making middleweight ‘not fun’ for Eubank
Eubank Jr can only put on 10lb between the weigh-in and a check weigh-in on Saturday morning
Staying at middleweight remains a task in itself for Eubank, who had several major mid-career fights at super-middle before returning to the 160lb division.
Benn is stepping up two weight divisions for his fight against Eubank Jr
“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,” said Eubank Jr.
“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.”
But the addition of just 10lb should not be so problematic for Benn, who is jumping up two weights from welterweight having come in at 10st 10lb for his last win over Peter Dobson in February 2024.
Could Eubank miss weight again?
Eubank does have to face this extra weigh-in on the morning of the fight on Saturday. By the terms of the agreement for this bout neither boxer can be more than 10lbs over the middleweight limit when their weight is checked between 8 and 9am on Saturday morning.
Benn, a natural welterweight, is not expected to put on much more on top of the 156.4lbs he weighed on Friday.
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Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s head to head at the final press conference was policed by a huge security presence as words were exchanged
“In the ring probably just put on another 6lbs, five or now, that’s it. 162, 163lbs on the night. He’ll be giving away a stone. But we know that’s the risk of the fight,” Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports.
That rehydration clause means Eubank should not be more than 170lbs on the scales on Saturday morning. If he misses that weight it wouldn’t jeopardise the fight, but he would face further financial penalties.
Hearn expects Eubank to make that weight.
“It’ll be very expensive for him if he doesn’t and he loves a pound,” said Hearn, who wouldn’t say how much that fine could be, but added it was “enough to make you not want to do it”.
Final face off at ‘Ceremonial weigh-in’
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Eubank Jr told Benn he will take him back to school on Saturday and put him in detention
Eubank Jr and Benn will come face to face for a final time before the opening bell at tonight’s ‘Ceremonial weigh-in’, which will be streamed live on Sky Sports from 6pm.
All of the undercard will also go head to head in front of the watching media, including Chris Billam-Smith, Liam Smith, Anthony Yarde and Viddal Riley.
A crowd of security guards kept Eubank and Benn apart at Thursday’s press conference and the feuding pair will have a last chance to exchange a few parting words before their long-awaited showdown in London.
Chris Eubank vs Conor Benn will be live on Saturday April 26 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!
