Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are about to face off in a middleweight bout at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The fight brings back memories of their fathers' rivalry from the nineties.
This match-up almost happened in 2022, but got called off when Benn failed a doping test. Benn's provisional suspension got lifted late last year, paving the way for this showdown.
The fight poses unique challenges for both boxers. Benn's moving up two weight divisions from his usual class. Eubank, at 35, might be finding it tough to make weight. There's a rehydration clause limiting fighters to 170 lbs after weigh-in, with a big fine for going over. Eubank just made it at 169.4 lbs.
Hall of Fame world champion Carl Froch thinks Eubank Jr. will come out on top. He said:
"I personally feel Chris Eubank is probably too big for Conor Benn and he's got too much experience at world level. I know he's lost to Groves and Billy Joe Saunders, but he has got that win over Arthur Abraham, who I've been in with. That win against James DeGale. And James DeGale was a good fighter, he knew what he was doing. I know he was past his best but he's shown [it] at super-middle."
Froch knows Eubank's abilities first-hand from sparring. He described Eubank as fitting between middleweight and super-middleweight. But Froch doesn't like the rehydration clause.
"I'm more concerned about the 10 pound rehydration clause. I don't think there's any need for that. It's not a world title fight. That's an IBF stipulation."
The stage is set for an intense battle between these two fighters with a lot to prove. Fans can catch all the action live on pay-per-view. It's a fight that's sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
