Conor Benn is adamant that welterweight is the division where he plans to capture a world title, but questions remain over how realistic it is for him to make 147lbs.
The Brit twice fought Chris Eubank Jr at the middleweight limit of 160lbs last year, losing the first and winning the second. This weekend, returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he will begin the journey back to 147 with a catchweight bout against former world champion Regis Prograis.
Speaking on the ceremonial weigh-in broadcast, Hall of Fame fighter Carl Froch asked Benn directly how his cut had been, and pointed out that his cheeks look ‘sunken.’
“You’ve got the size, the strength and the youth on him, but, to me as a fighter, you’re looking a bit sunken in the cheeks – are you okay with the weight? Are you still looking to go to 147 or are you looking to go 154 after this?”
Benn shrugged any concern off, revealing he had already put a significant amount back on from the official morning weigh-in and that he will be 100% fighting fit in the ring come Saturday night.
“I’ll definitely drop down to 147. You say sunken in the cheeks, I’m weighing at 165 right now. I don’t know what you mean sunken in the cheeks … For the past two years I’ve been walking round at 175. I definitely [feel strong and fit.]”
The fight, co-main event to Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov, sees Prograis moving up from super-lightweight. The 37-year-old has also been forced to answer questions on his condition throughout fight week, addressing behind the scenes rumours that he was almost pulled from the event due to injury.
