London: Chris Eubank Jr may face serious challenges ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Conor Benn, scheduled for September 20 in London. Former world champion and Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson has warned that Eubank will likely struggle with the 160-pound weight limit and could even lose the fight.
The two British rivals last met in April at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Eubank Jr. won a unanimous decision. However, he was fined for missing the official middleweight limit at the weigh-in, although he did meet the 170-pound rehydration clause on fight day.
Nelson believes Eubank, now 35, may face a more brutal battle this time due to the intense demands of cutting weight. “As far as I know, the agreement for the rematch is the same as the first—160lbs and a 10lbs rehydration clause,” Nelson told Sky Sports News. “That will be a real struggle for Chris. I don’t know how he’ll handle the pressure from the British Boxing Board of Control.”
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBofC) has also summoned Eubank to explain his use of a sauna to shed pounds rapidly before the first fight, a move that has raised regulatory concerns.
With Benn eager to avenge his loss and Eubank facing mounting scrutiny, the rematch promises drama both in and out of the ring.
