Chris Eubank Jr has broken his silence after failing to make weight for his fight with Conor Benn.
The 35-year-old narrowly missed the middleweight limit ahead of his highly anticipated bout with his long-time rival, tipping the scales just half an ounce over the 160lb threshold during Friday’s official weigh-in.
In the opposite corner, Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) comfortably came in under the limit at 156lbs 4oz after goading his rival by calling him ‘fat boy’ at Thursday’s final press conference.
Eubank Jr (34-3, 25 KOs) will be fined $500,000 (£375,000) for his transgressions. It is the first time in his career that he has missed weight.
After the fact, Eubank Jr cryptically wrote on Instagram: ‘Pain is temporary… Glory is forever,’ under three videos revealing the extreme measures he took to shed as many pounds as possible.
Shortly after, Benn took to social media to issue a response to Eubank Jr, arguing that the latter’s weight cut should not have been so drastic. Benn typically fights at welterweight (147lbs) but initially agreed to fight his opponent at catchweight (157lbs) back in October 2022.
Meanwhile, Eubank Jr has fought at middleweight (160lbs) and super-middleweight (168lbs) in the past.
This rescheduled contest was set at the full middleweight limit, with an additional 10lb rehydration clause in effect for fight day. Neither fighter can weigh more than 170lbs on Saturday morning.
Benn wrote: ‘Christopher who are you trying to fool and get sympathy from, I’m coming UP to your weight a weight you’ve made your last 3 fights and most of your career! It’s like you’re looking for excuses already? First time you’ve ever missed weight and first time you’ve ever posted a weight cut.’
Eubank Jr shared videos of himself in a sauna suit, used to increase sweating to shed as much water weight as possible.
Excessive use can lead to extreme dehydration and heat exhaustion, hence Eubank Jr’s gaunt frame and bone-weary appearance.
