Eubank Jr vs Benn [London]: Conor Benn went face-to-face with Chris Eubank Jr. for the first time since they signed to fight on October 8th. The Londoner doesn’t size up.
Almost standing on his tip-toes, Benn appeared far more petite than Eubank as the pair traded stern glances at the press conference.
Eubank Jr vs Benn face-off
A welterweight, Benn is bidding to do what has proven impossible in recent years for a 147-pounder. To move up to middleweight and beat the bigger man.
Kell Brook attempted it at the same venue a few years earlier. The Sheffield man got stopped in five brutal rounds without a catchweight clause.
Benn is wiser because he has a 157-pound stipulation in place. However, Eubank will still have a significant size and power advantage.
“It’s a weight I haven’t been since I was about eighteen,” revealed Eubank. “It’s going to be painful.
“In that sense, I will be at a disadvantage because he will be fully hydrated – whereas I will be drained. But there has to be some give and take.”
Rehydration clause
Neither promoter discussed the rehydration part of the contract at the media event. However, there’s no doubting that Eddie Hearn will reveal all in one of his numerous daily YouTube and Podcast interviews.
The fighters themselves seem ready to put on a show.
“Nothing like this has ever happened before in the history of the sport,” said Eubank Jr. “Two legends went into a ring 30 years ago and inspired a nation.
“They became superstars and etched their names into not just boxing history – but British history.
“Now, 30 years later, their sons, who have both made themselves in boxing, will get in the ring.
“The Eubank vs Benn name will go to war for the third time. Nothing like this has ever happened before.
“I don’t think it will happen again – ever. That’s why I took this fight.”
Once in a lifetime chance
Benn stated: “This fight makes sense for now, but the world [welterweight] title is still the goal.
“But this is once in a lifetime. This is a fantasy fight for the British public.”
Eubank begins as a huge favorite to win. The only chance Benn has to even put a dent in the bigger man would be to drain him so much that he has no power left to take him out.
Intriguing but still hugely one-sided.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
