Just two weeks out from the fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn and the focus still remains on the bigger man’s weight cut. In the sport-wide discussion, promoter Frank Warren has sided with Chris Eubank Sr on the matter.
The Eubanks present a family divided just now. On the one hand, Junior is adamant that he will beat Conor Benn with ease and is playing his part in the promotion of the fight well. On the other, his father has publicly pleaded for those involved not to let the event go ahead – the weight cut for his son to 157 lbs just too dangerous in his view.
It somewhat sours the narrative around the fight, given that Eubank Sr is the reason it’s happening in the first place. He fought Nigel Benn twice three decades ago – if that rivalry hadn’t begun back then there would surely be no discussions of the two sons facing off.
Speaking to SecondsOut, Frank Warren gave his thoughts on the weight cut. The 70-year-old, hall-of-fame promoter has previously worked with both Eubanks.
“I know old man Eubank has been making some, for a change for me, quite relevant remarks about this weight situation. Because that is dangerous. The biggest problem for boxer’s head injuries is all about dehydration.”
“And I’m quite sure that Tony Simms and that side will do everything they can for their man [Benn], because if I was in their position I would do the same thing. He’s a guy who’s coming up in weight, and I’m sure he’s going to bulk up, look the part and build himself for the fight. The other guy [Eubank] at the age now of 33 having to weigh in [three pounds under his usual fighting weight] – that’s a lot of weight to shift, and I don’t know what the situation is of what he can weigh the next day, but that to me is quite dangerous.”
“It is difficult, I don’t care who you are especially as you get older, to do those things, and his dad’s pointed it out quite rightly. And that’s up to the [British Boxing] Board of Control to monitor, and they’ve got a bit responsibility cause the eyes of everyone will be on this. Hopefully it will all go well. I’ll watch it, because I watch all fights, no doubt about that. But I’m watching what it is, not what I’m being sold.”
The British Boxing Board of Control have confirmed that they are regularly checking in on Eubank Jr to make sure any weight is lost in a safe and timely manner.
Warren’s comments come against a constant focus on Eubank’s weight by fans and pundits. This was likely always going to be the case given the circumstances, but it has been made ever more apparent by his father’s comments and, in contrast, Junior’s series of videos eating junk food as the fight nears.