Eddie Hearn, who is at the helm for the super fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn this weekend, has discussed the rehydration clause that will be in place for the morning of the fight.
The fight was always fated to happen. Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn fought twice around three decades ago and, ever since their sons turned pro, they’ve been on a collision course. Having said that, the one sticking point is weight. Conor Benn is a welterweight, campaigning at 147lb, whilst Eubank Jr is a middleweight (160lb) and has even fought up at super middle (168lb).
Because of this disparity, there is a catch weight in the contract. Neither fighter can weight over 157lb before the day of the fight. To add to that, a rehydration clause will prevent the bigger man in Eubank Jr adding on too much before the first bell rings.
Such clauses are utilised to prevent huge size differences in the ring, but many fans feel they’re not safe. Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn has assured fans that the weight clauses are safe and close to standard.
“I said in many interviews that it’s around the same number as the IBF check weight. Around the same original number – they’ve actually increased that number now, but the original number. Around 10lb, the rehydration. It’s very safe – it’s around 10lbs.
It’s fair. It’s really fair. You’ve got a kid coming up from 147 to 157, and you’ve got a kid coming down from 160 to 157. And they can hydrate overnight. The [rehydration check] is in he morning, you’ve got the number, and then you’ve got the whole day. You’ve got another 12 hours, 11 hours to the fight.”
When pushed on the number and asked if it could be as low as 8lb, Hearn said no – so around 9lb is a safe number to assume. The IBF clause was previously 10lb as with most other organisations, but they recently pushed that up to 12lb.
What all of this means for Eubank Jr is that, should he make the 157lb on weigh-in Friday, he’ll have to keep a lid on gaining overnight to hit the scales at around 166/167lb on the morning of the fight.
If fans think it’s going to be tough, the fighter doesn’t. In amongst his videos eating junk food and birthday cake, Junior has been adamant that he will make the weight without a nutritionist. He’s been relaxed, which is in direct contrast to his father who has called for people to boycott the fight as the cut is dangerous.