It seems Chris Eubank Jr is on one of the most scrutinised yet relaxed weight cuts in boxing history, but it is his birthday after all…
It’s less than a week after his fight with Conor Benn was thrown into doubt by his father, who threatened to pull him out because the weight cut to 157lbs was potentially dangerous. Eubank Jr, though, was undeterred, and confirmed the October 8 clash at London’s O2 would go ahead as planned.
The fighter, who’s aiming for a career-low weight for the fight to go ahead without risking fines or cancellation, turned 33 years of age today. There’s only a handful of reasons one might be denied cake on their special day – unfortunately, a weight cut for a professional boxing fight is one of them.
Eubank Jr doesn’t subscribe to such thoughts. In his latest video from the series that some are calling mind games, he tucks into a birthday cake beside a big chocolate ‘60%.’
You knew I was never guna miss out on my birthday cake @ConorNigel#60percentpic.twitter.com/Kwjwt4Mg0c
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 18, 2022
Those who have been following the build up know that the 60% refers not to how much of the cake Eubank plans on eating – no, that will likely be 100%. Rather, it’s the performance level he believes he’ll enter the ring at and the appropriate amount of effort required, he says, for him to beat Benn convincingly.
On the other end of the scale, Benn is planning to jump in weight. Having fought all of his pro fights at the welterweight limit of 147lbs, he’ll be aiming to add about 10lbs if he wants to enter the ring similar to his opponent. With that in mind, maybe Eubank Jr could share a slice of his cake before the formalities begin.
With 19 days to go before the first bell rings and all of the talking, and eating, stops, it’s still unclear who will be the voice in Eubank’s corner. He wanted that duty to fall to his father, but with Senior adamant in his disapproval, that seems unlikely.
Maybe that’s a thought for tomorrow as tonight, he celebrates. Many happy returns, Chris.