Former undisputed light-welterweight champion Josh Taylor has called for Chris Eubank Jr’s fight against Conor Benn to be cancelled. Eubank Jr is due to fight Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
The pair were originally set to fight back in 2022, but the bout was scrapped after Benn twice tested positive for the banned substance clomifene. However, the fight is now finally set to take place this weekend in a continuation of the legendary rivalry between Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn.
There has been some controversy ahead of the event after Eubank Jr was fined £375,000 for missing weight by just 0.05lb and a rehydration clause in the fight contract means he will be fined again if he weighs on more than 10lb heavier on Saturday.
After missing weight, Eubank Jr shared a clip on social media of his attempts to meet the 160lb limit and Taylor has shared his concerns about the effect the weight cut may have on the 35-year-old.
In response to the video, Taylor wrote on social media: “I think it should be called off. Eubank looked terrible & he has a rehydration clause chucked in there on top of that aswell.
“I think this is potentially a very disastrous night for boxing waiting to happen. I desperately hope this is not the case.”
After a fan replied to Taylor and pointed out that he has fought before despite “looking like you’ve been dug up”, the Scot added: “Yeah and look at those performances.”
Speaking after the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, Eubank Jr said: “If they’re going to take half a million (US dollars) off me for being 0.05lb off the limit, then that’s the sort of people Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and Conor Benn are.
“At the end of the day, weight has no relevance to what will happen tomorrow night. I’m going to go out there and stop this guy.
“The rehydration clause is still in place, so I need to watch what I eat and drink, but all of these things are set up to distract me and get me off track and none of it will work.”
Benn, meanwhile, has weighed in at 156.4lb and has spent most of his career fighting at welterweight. When asked about Eubank Jr missing weight, Benn said: “It’s an expensive price for him to pay, isn’t it?
“He’s disciplined and he should’ve made the weight. He’s made this weight his whole career. He was expecting some sympathy, but he isn’t getting any sympathy from around here.”
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Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will face off on Saturday, April 26, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fans can order the fight on DAZN PPV for £19.95, which also comes with a DAZN seven-day free trial.
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