When you think of fight night, you think of intensity—rivalries, trash talk, power punches, and fighters looking to prove who’s the top dog. But the Conor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr. showdown? It hits different. There’s no real rivalry between these two. No public brawls or out-of-pocket insults (other than the egg incident). If it weren’t for their famous last names, this would’ve been a solid, but not overly hyped, matchup: an undefeated younger fighter in Benn stepping up two weight classes to challenge the more seasoned Eubank Jr. That’s it. No fire, no feud—just legacy looming over them like a heavy shadow.
But that legacy changes everything. Their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr., had real bad blood. Their rivalry was fierce and unfinished, and now their sons are expected to settle it. The thing is, Chris Eubank Sr. has yet to fully embrace this fight. He’s voiced his concerns about the weight, saying it’s risky and unnecessary, even going so far as to suggest a dream matchup of his son with Canelo Alvarez instead. That didn’t pan out, yet—but his concerns about the weight? They sure did. Still, despite all the drama, Chris Eubank Jr. insists the weight cut won’t be a problem. He’s already made the limit (barely), and now he’s breaking down why the weight cut doesn’t bother him at all.
Making it through life harder than a weight cut
At Thursday night’s press conference, things got heated when Conor Benn threw some serious shade at Chris Eubank Jr., calling him a “fat boy” and telling him to “get the weight off.” It was the kind of jab meant to get under someone’s skin, but Eubank Jr. wasn’t having it. Despite being 0.05 lbs over the 160 lbs weight limit during the official weigh-ins, he brushed off the concerns. In a post on X, hours after the weigh-in, he made it clear that dealing with weight wasn’t the hardest challenge he’s faced. “People constantly talking about my weight,” he said. “The truth is a weight cut is nothing compared to the hardships that life can throw at you. If you can make it through those things you can make it through anything.”
People constantly talking about my weight. The truth is a weight cut is nothing compared to the hardships that life can throw at you. If you can make it through those things you can make it through anything. pic.twitter.com/vsV2FG1VCY
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) April 25, 2025
Even during the press conference two days ago, things got more intense when Chris Eubank Jr. asked, “What is pain?” Conor Benn, seemingly irritated, answered, “Oh, shut up Chris. For fu–s sake.” While the laughter of those around him echoed in the background, Chris Eubank Jr. maintained a somber tone. With a serious look on his face, he continued. “No, I am serious. What is it?” His tone grew more intense, and his expression turned solemn. The room fell silent.
“I have a 31-year-old brother. He’s buried in the desert in Dubai, that’s pain,” he shared, referencing his brother, Sebastian, who tragically passed away in 2021 of a heart attack while swimming. But the heartbreak didn’t stop there. Eubank Jr. continued, “I have his son, Raheem, a 3-year-old. He asks, ‘Why can’t I see my daddy? Why does he not take me to school?’ That’s pain.” As if the loss of his brother and the heartache of his nephew weren’t enough, Chris Eubank Jr. had even more reasons to feel sorrow.
“My own father, the man I idolized for my entire life, he doesn’t speak to me,” he lamented. “He thinks I’m a disgrace,” he said. For Chris Eubank Jr., these real-life struggles were the true meaning of pain.
Despite everything he’s been through, Chris Eubank Jr. made it clear that the weight cut and rehydration clause were small potatoes compared to the real pain he’s had to endure in his life. “If I can deal with all of these trials and tribulations,” he said, “then the weight cut and the rehydration clause, these are all things that are not an issue.” He concluded, “They are not important.” But while he may have brushed off the weight cut as no big deal, it still came with a hefty price tag, leaving a hole in his pocket. How so?
0.05 lbs over, but $500k lighter: The cost of Chris Eubank Jr.’s weight struggles
At the weigh-ins yesterday, Chris Eubank Jr. had a bit of trouble making the weight. On his first try, he weighed in at 160.2 lbs. And during a second attempt, he managed to hit 160.05 lbs. This means he was still 0.05 lbs over the contract limit. As a result, he’s been hit with a hefty $500,000 fine, according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger. On top of that, he’s now required to stay under 170 lbs on fight day, thanks to a strict rehydration clause. If he goes over, he could face another fine.
The weigh-in was supposed to be wrapped up by 11 a.m. on Friday, but Chris Eubank Jr. arrived over an hour late. By that time, the 28-year-old Benn had already weighed in at a comfortable 156.4 lbs. The 23-0 boxer, who usually fights at 147 lbs, had no issues bulking up for the fight. The IBO World Middleweight champion, however, is used to fighting in the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions, so cutting weight has always been a tougher challenge for him.
The rehydration clause adds another layer of difficulty for Chris Eubank Jr. He’ll have to weigh in again today morning, and he can’t put on more than 10 pounds. While this is no problem for Benn, it’s a significant challenge for Chris Eubank Jr. The limited rehydration could affect his performance in the ring, making this weight issue a serious obstacle going into the fight.
With that said, what do you think of Eubank Jr.’s take on the weight cut? And which side are you on – Team Chris Eubank Jr. or Team Conor Benn?
The post Fined $500K for Missing Weight, Chris Eubank Jr. Finally Breaks Silence- “Weight Cut Is Nothing Compared to the Hardships” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
