Eubank Faces Fine After Missing Weight for Benn Fight

LONDON: British pugilist Chris Eubank Jr. was penalized £375,000 on Friday after he marginally exceeded the weight restriction for his anticipated match against Conor Benn.

The event took place during a private weigh-in held at a London establishment. Eubank, 35, was just 0.05lb over the 11st 6lb (160lb) limit, which sparked further concerns about his training and focus.

Initially, Eubank’s weight was 0.2lb above the maximum. Despite a subsequent effort to decrease his weight, he remained slightly above the permissible level.

The weigh-in happened privately before their scheduled contest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In contrast, Benn, 28, weighed in comfortably at 11st 2lb.

Both competitors are also bound by a strict rehydration clause, restricting their weight increase to 12st 1lb by the morning of the bout — another source of tension in the already charged environment.

Adding to the spectacle, Benn released a video mocking Eubank, playfully remarking, “Show me the money,” alluding to the financial repercussion his rival incurred.

This match, slated for Saturday, has been plagued by controversy since its inception. Their initial encounter, scheduled for October 2022, was called off after Benn failed a drug examination, and animosity between the two teams has intensified ever since.

Eubank’s monetary challenges have also increased. Earlier in the year, he was fined £100,000 for slapping Benn at a media event and willingly paid an additional £50,000 to boxers affected by the 2022 cancellation.

As the eagerly awaited fight draws near, Eubank will have one more chance to achieve the required weight. However, additional financial penalties await should he fail again, further increasing the already significant costs associated with this major fight.