Chris Eubank Jr vowed to put on a “fight of the decade contender” in his rematch with Conor Benn on Saturday.
The bitter rivals faced off at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in at York Hall in Bethnal Green. Eubank looked emotionless while Benn, who said he was too fiery when he lost their first fight in April, appeared more charged.
“Everything is on track for a Chris Eubank Jr knockout win,” Eubank said. “This is what I love to do, this is my life. I’m not excited, this is what I was bred to do. I can’t wait to go out there and show the world yet again. The first fight was a fight of the year contender. This fight will be a fight of the decade contender.”
Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, who grabbed headlines at Thursday’s news conference, were not on stage for the weigh-in. The fighters weighed in officially behind closed doors on Friday morning and both tipped the scales at 11st 5lb (72kg). At the ceremonial event the scales were turned on and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said Benn weighed 11st 13lb (76kg) with Eubank two pounds lighter. Both are bound by a rehydration clause that prohibits them from weighing more than 12st 1lb (77kg) on Saturday morning.
There had been talk of slower ticket sales for the rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but this first public fight-week event was standing room only, with queues around the corner. Eubank briefly made Benn wait a few extra minutes before they were announced onstage; both men received a warm welcome when they emerged.
The build-up has been less dramatic than earlier in the year when Eubank slapped Benn with an egg at a news conference and Eubank came in overweight by 0.05lb the day before the first fight. Although hostility remains, the respect they gained after a bruising contest appears to have kept things from overstepping the line.
“I’m excited to get in there and do the business,” Benn said. “It’s a blessing. I’m a welterweight but I want to come in heavy. I’m not concerned about what Chris does. Do not miss it. Make sure you tune in. Redemption is all that matters.”
As in April, the rehydration clause means neither fighter can put on more than 10lb between Friday’s weigh-in and Saturday morning. Benn’s team say the clause helps level the playing field; weight disparity, with Benn moving up two divisions for the contest, has been a hot topic. In April, Eubank missed the middleweight limit of 11st 6lb by 0.05lb at the weigh-in but was comfortably below the rehydration limit the next day.
Fighters typically lose fat during training camp to reach the agreed weight and may dehydrate just before the official weigh-in to shed the last bit of weight. Dropping water weight close to the fight allows them to refuel with food and water more easily. Eubank says he usually puts on about 14lb after a weigh-in.
