SHOULD a second encounter between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn take place, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted that their 170lb rehydration cap will remain intact.
The domestic rivals went toe-to-toe in a thrilling 12-round battle yesterday evening, captivating a raucous crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
Before the pair even locked horns, their bloodline brawl was enhanced by the late addition of Chris Eubank Sr, who finally reunited with his son in a truly powerful moment.
Seemingly, that only gave Eubank, 35-3 (25 KOs), an added boost that would ultimately see him secure a unanimous decision victory over his naturally smaller opponent.
The difference in size, after all, made for a contentious discussion point throughout the build-up, with many wondering who would possess the greater advantage come fight night.
On the one hand, Benn’s decision to move up 13lbs from welterweight – his more natural division – had put him at a major disadvantage.
Then again, Eubank’s battle to make the 160lb limit, before keeping below his rehydration cap, could be seen as an even harsher handicap.
But regardless of any concerns surrounding drastic weight cuts in combat sports, Hearn remains convinced that a limit of 170lbs for Eubank, a career-middleweight, was more than necessary.
A deal, as it happens, is already in place for their slated rematch later this year while, at the same time, Benn’s career could quite easily be steered towards a different direction.
During their post-fight press conference, the 28-year-old’s promoter, Hearn, teased that he may look to bring Benn, 23-1 (14 KOs), back down a division or two.
“We knew Eubank’s weight all week… He was absolutely spot-on [yesterday] morning,” Hearn told Boxing News.
“[On Friday] he was tight at the weight – he’s always tight at the weight. [But] he messed up. He [arrived at the official weigh-in] an hour late, he could’ve made [160lbs] comfortably, but they [his team] just ballsed up.
“[Eubank] accepted those terms [the rehydration clause], and that’s the art of a contract. For me, the terms were spot-on.
“The danger was with Conor Benn, and that’s why we’ve got to think very carefully about the rematch – because I don’t want to see [Benn] in too many fights like that.
“The terms are already agreed for the rematch – and it’s the same as the first contract, in that respect.”
Earlier this week, Eubank’s promoter, Boxxer boss Ben Shalom, told Boxing News that the removal of a rehydration clause for his rematch with Benn would be a possibility.
