Chris Eubank Jr’s promoter Ben Shalom wants the weight limit to be increased for his client’s rematch with Conor Benn.
‘Next Gen’ defeated Benn via unanimous decision in an instant classic at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26.
However, the Brighton boxer struggled on the scales.
A gaunt Eubank Jr missed the 160lbs middleweight limit by half an ounce, incurring a £375,000 fine.
He was able to make the 170lbs rehydration clause on the morning of the fight, but he did so with difficulty.
While Eubank Jr has fought at middleweight for the majority of his career, making the weight deep into his thirties has become a struggle.
As a result, Shalom would like to see Eubank Jr given more leeway when it comes to the weight for their rematch.
“The rehydration clause is probably less dangerous than the 160lbs limit now at this stage in his career,” Shalom told Sky Sports.
“That’s where probably it’s the biggest challenge. As the organisers of the event, everyone has to be sensible as to how we approach the second fight.
“That probably was the one downer on the event, all the talk about the weight. And so I’m sure everyone will be sensible…
“I think that [increasing the weight limit] would alleviate a lot of people’s concerns about the fight.
“I think everyone involved just wants the fighters to make as much money as they can, but get out of the ring safely.
Eubank Jr looked drained on the scalesGetty“That’s what boxing’s about, and so anything that can increase the chances of that happening should be focused on.
“We saw a very good fight, a very competitive fight, but there were concerns around the challenge on Chris’ body. So no one wants to see that.
“We believe and we hope there’ll be discussions around that before we make the rematch.”
Shalom’s proposal is unlikely to go down well with Benn’s handlers.
‘The Destroyer’ had never boxed higher than super welterweight (154lbs) before their all-British grudge match, while the majority of his career has been spent at welterweight (147lbs).
When asked about the possibility of changing the weight for the rematch during the post-fight press conference, Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn told assembled media: “I think Eubank should come down a little bit lower rather than Conor coming up two weight classes.
Shalom wants the rematch to be fought at a higher weightGetty“We knew Chris Eubank’s weight all week, I knew it at the check weight, I knew it after, we knew what he woke up at this morning.
“And he was absolutely spot on this morning, he was fine. Yesterday he was tight at the weight, he is always tight at the weight.
“He has made it the last five times, he messed up, he got there an hour late, he could have made the weight but they ballsed it up, that is it.
“No one apart from his dad said ‘Do you think it is dangerous to move up to weight classes to fight someone like Eubank’.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘Dangerous’ – Ben Shalom calls for major weight change ahead of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn rematch )
Also on site :
- India A vs England Lions, Day 1: KL Rahul slams ton, Dhruv Jurel stars as Chris Woakes bags 3fer
- Letters to the editor: Lake Loveland water level
- Mike Norvell faces huge blow as five-star QB makes a major career announcement before FSU's 2025 season