The controversial topic of the weight-rehydration clause surrounding the Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn fight has surfaced once again.
Two of the sport’s finest former super-middleweights Carl Froch and Chris Eubank Sr approach the issue from very different viewpoints, as Eubank Jr prepares to weigh in under the same 160 lbs limit for this Saturday’s rematch.
In April the fighter weighed in at 160.2 lbs on his first attempt and 160.05 lbs on his second, failing the 160 lbs limit and triggering a £375,000 fine. The next morning he registered 169.4 lbs to meet the 170 lbs rehydration limit. The rematch is being conducted under the same terms.
Eubank Sr has been openly critical of the agreement, while Froch who interviewed Eubank Jr for Sun Sport urged his fellow champion to “move on” from the matter and back his son.
“We’ve seen the first fight and there was no issue … Chris got through the fight, he won the fight … [If he was ‘touch and go’ in the ambulance] this doesn’t look good on you, as the father, allowing this to go ahead then, surely. You’re here promoting the fight … If you feel so strongly about this fight and the weight division – which I think you should move on from, I honestly think you should embrace the rematch and get behind your son.”
Eubank Sr, however, remains steadfast in his criticism of the promoters:
“For three years I was saying to you that this fight shouldn’t be [happening] because the weights are wrong. I’ll never be proved wrong because I am standing on the rules. So I’ve said all that I’ve had to say. It doesn’t change so I’m not going to go bleating on the same subject. You will see. There will be consequences. Weight dehydration is dangerous.
“I’m always behind my son. What I will not be behind is the stupidity and incompetence of these promoters. They are flouting the rules in terms of weights and this is how fighters end up disabled.”
With the fight just days away, Froch has also given his final prediction for the bout.
