By Robert Segal: Chris Eubank Jr admits he has a heavy weight on his shoulders as he takes on Conor Benn at a catchweight of 157 pounds on October 8 on DAZN pay-per-view at London’s O2 Arena.
The rehydration clause could be an issue for Eubank Jr, who will have to limit his fluid intake after the weigh-in.
It’s a fight Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 KOs) can’t afford to lose because if he loses, he’s out and won’t be back, he says.
If Eubank Jr’s is serious about putting only 60% of his effort into preparing for the Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) it puts him in a tough position where he could lose. Benn is too good a fighter to be beaten by 60% of Eubank Jr.
Eubank Jr, 33, has looked good in his last two fights, beating Liam Williams and Wanik Awdijan. None of those guys could punch like Conor Benn.
The last fighter Eubank Jr fought who had power similar to Benn was George Groves, and he lost to him by a 12-round unanimous decision in 2018.
“They know if they lose this fight, it’s going to be very, very hard to take,” Eddie Hearn told Matchroom Boxing of the Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn fight.
“My son will put it on,” said Nigel Benn.
“One of us is in for an extremely rude awakening. I don’t think it’s going to be me,” said Eubank Jr. “This is the biggest fight of my career. I don’t need to separate myself from normal life to train well.
“A lot of boxers need to go somewhere remote away from their family and their wives and children because they aren’t disciplined enough to work through the distractions. That’s how I see it.
“They are not mentally strong enough to be near the comforts of home while preparing for war. I can prepare for war on a beach. No matter. Give me a ring and some gloves.
“My father is with me as a business advisor now. His advice was to wait another year. He wasn’t willing to risk that. We both have a lot at stake. I have much more pressure and risk.
“I can’t lose this fight. If I lose, I retire. That is a heavy weight on my shoulders. I can’t come back from a loss. I’ve been through too much in this sport to let a young pup come and take what’s mine, and what’s mine is victory.
“I can’t lose,” Benn said.
