Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are set to clash in a middleweight bout this weekend at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The fight has got boxing experts divided, with Ricky Hatton and Carl Froch offering contrasting predictions.
Benn's moving up from welterweight for this encounter, while Eubank Jr faces a 10lbs rehydration clause on fight day. These special conditions add an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Ricky Hatton, a former champion himself, is backing Benn to come out on top. In a recent interview, Hatton explained his reasoning:
"A lot of people are favouring Eubank. I get why they're doing it. Let's have it right, Conor's not boxed anyone near Chris' potential, and when you think who Chris has been in with, Billy Joe Saunders, at that level, at his own weight. To jump up two weights and fight Chris, it is a massive ask. Chris has to boil down that little bit extra, that will help Conor. Cause I know him personally, I just know the desire, the self-belief, the drive that he has. He will not be denied, like his dad. Chris has been stopped. When the fight with Conor fell through he fought Liam. He'd been boiling himself down and I think that's why he got knocked out. Which is what he's doing again, so I'm gonna go with my mate Conor."
Hatton points to Benn's desire and drive as key factors, along with the potential impact of Eubank's weight cut on his performance.
On the other hand, Carl Froch is putting his money on Eubank Jr. Froch cites Eubank's experience at world level and proven performance at higher weights as decisive factors:
"I think that all the variables you look at who has done what, whose the bigger, stronger man, who has the experience at world level. Eubank fought Groves, Saunders, beat Arthur Abraham, James DeGale, a former world champion, he's fought at a better level and proved at a higher weight he belongs at world level. Conor Benn has done nothing. Nothing, Yes he knocked out Chris Algieri who is a former champ and looked good doing it but it was a way past his best Algieri. If I'm going to pick my immediate favourite in this fight, I'm going with Chris Eubank Jr."
Eubank Jr enters the ring as a slight favorite according to the betting odds. However, many fans are drawn in by Benn's confidence. The younger fighter's only notable win came against a past-his-prime Chris Algieri, but his self-belief and drive have captured the public's imagination.
The fight promises to be a compelling clash of styles and generations. Eubank Jr brings world-level experience and a proven track record at higher weights. Benn, moving up two weight classes, relies on his desire and drive to overcome the challenge.
As fight night approaches, the boxing world waits with bated breath to see which prediction will come true: Hatton's faith in Benn's determination or Froch's confidence in Eubank's experience.
