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Eubank Jr vs Benn: Rehydration clauses, bulking up and cutting weight - who has the harder challenge?
If carrying the burden of the family name and being the most important fight of their careers was not enough pressure for Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, meeting their respective weight challenges has added another layer of intrigue to this battle.
The fierce rivals meet on Saturday night, live on DAZN PPV, to settle their personal battle that the world has been waiting years for.
But with neither being naturally in the same division, both have had to agree to shift their weights in order to have this contest at middleweight (160lbs).
Benn is moving up two divisions from welterweight (147lbs), meaning he needs to put on just under a stone.
For Eubank Jr he has been a natural middleweight and has also fought at super-middleweight (168lbs), but a hydration clause will mean he cannot put on more than 10lbs above the 160lbs after Friday's weigh-in.
The DAZN News experts examine who has the harder task in making the weight and will be most affected by it.
Matt Astbury - boxing writer
Definitely Chris Eubank Jr.
There is no secret Eubank Jr should be a fully fledged super middleweight, and it will be intriguing to see what this weight cut and rehydration clause will take out of him.
It’s likely that Eubank Jr’s stamina and punching power will be affected with an inability to properly refuel after a gruelling weight cut.
Chris Walker - Senior boxing writer
There has been a lot of attention on the weigh-in for this fight due to the jump that Benn is making, but it is the following morning that will be most interesting.
The original bout was due to be fought at 157lbs and that may have caused some issues for Eubank Jr, but he appears to be back settled at middleweight following a run at 168lbs and I don’t see the weight bothering him too much.
Refuelling and not going above the 10lbs limit that has been agreed for both fighters could be a problem on Saturday morning, but Eubank Jr has spent the last few years making this weight. He should be confident he can do it once again.
Benn will likely be the biggest he has ever been and with that may come a reduction in speed and stamina if he has put too much bulk on.
All eyes will be on Benn when the fighters hit the scales, and it is he who must prove he belongs at middleweight against the much bigger man.
Derek Bilton - feature writer
It’s a big ask for Benn to be jumping up two divisions and taking on someone like Eubank, a naturally bigger man who is also a skilled and really experienced pro.
That said it’s arguably going to be tougher for Eubank to hit 160 – and stay within the rehydration clause – at the age of 35.
He should be able to hit 160, but how much will such a cut at his age take out of him physically?
Mark Lelinwalla - boxing analyst
This fight is going to be more of a challenge for Benn who is making the greater climb up in weight.
As a natural welterweight, Benn will have his chin tested at middleweight with Eubank's heavier hands.
Eubank will be more comfortable at the weight, forcing Benn to press and adjust.
Watch three incredible fight nights in one week only on DAZN
Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and DAZN PPV is the only place to watch them all.
- April 26: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
- May 2: Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
- May 3: Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull
Arch rivals Eubank Jr and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £19.95 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.
Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN. Fight fans can purchase either fight individually for $59.99 US; £/€21.99 UK/IRE; ROW - $24.99 per PPV or take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle where both fights can be purchased for $90 US; £34.99 in the UK and €34.99 in Europe .
