The initial April 26th fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn might spin into becoming a trilogy after The Ring owner Turki Alalshikh revealed a rematch between the two was planned for September or October, but with Eubank’s weight issues well-known, there appears little concern for his health as the two British fighters are set to compete at middleweight again.
Chris Eubank Jr.’s (35-3, 25 KO’s) weight struggles for his first fight at middleweight (160 lbs) with Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KO’s) are clearly a concern, so much so it prompted the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) to schedule an upcoming hearing with Eubank in July due to concerns in his methods of cutting weight. With the use of saunas considered prohibited by the BBBofC for health reasons, their approval of Eubank facing Benn in the first place despite Chris Eubank Sr.’s ― Eubank Jr.’s father and a former professional himself ― repeated concerns of the dangerous weight cutting Eubank would have to endure.
Given Eubank Jr.’s hospitalization following his April 26th bout against Benn, attributed to the aftereffects of his weight cuts, the BBBofC appears slightly detached from reality given their pursuit of Eubank Jr. for alleged illegal methods in losing weight while still being fully on board for a rematch.
With Turki Alalshikh having revealed a rematch between Eubank and Benn being in the works for September or October at Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it again highlights the issue of health surrounding both fighters, yet also exposes Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn.
Hearn, who downplayed Eubank’s weight struggles, notably championed Jaron Ennis’ (34-0, 30 KO’s) recent move up from welterweight (147 lbs) to super welterweight (154 lbs), citing Ennis’ issues in making weight as the catalyst for changing divisions.
This, of course, is hypocritical as Hearn was able to discern Ennis would be weakened or drained if he continued to fight at 147 pounds despite not having visibly shown any issues in making weight ― even impressing as he would beat a fellow champion in Eimantas Stanionis during their unification fight earlier this year.
Notably, Eddie Hearn did not fail to mention Ennis was “underperforming to his capabilities”, though in the case of Chris Eubank Jr. his weight struggles seem entirely irrelevant to the promoter.
Though the rematch only appears to be planned and has not been officially announced, the BBBofC has the means to prevent the fight given the well-recorded weight issues Chris Eubank Jr. had to endure. Based on the board’s upcoming meeting being based around Eubank’s use of a sauna to rapidly yet dangerously cut weight, it only further underscores the dubious nature of the rematch which should likely not occur at 160 lbs due to health concerns.
However, at the same time, the rematch would be a heavily-commercialized fight that would make it one of the more prevalent bouts this year.
An approval by the BBBofC to let the Eubank-Benn fight commence at middleweight would only emphasize the lack of awareness surrounding fighters’ health as the financial benefits for the various stakeholders involved with the rematch would be prioritized.