It was so good the first time they just had to do it again.
Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will face each other again on November 15 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the long-awaited rematch. Eubank Jr. won in April, defeating Benn on points in a thrilling, emotional fight. Much was said and done in the run-up to the first fight – but this time it was much calmer.
But we can’t expect it to stay that way when the players touch the gloves again, and by the way, there’s just too much pride. There is, as the fight was marked, too much unfinished business.
Boxing experts from ESPN UK will be on hand this Saturday to discuss the keys to the sequel and make predictions.
So we’re back again. The first fight was pure money, pure adrenaline for both fighters. Can we expect a similar or maybe different fight here?
James Regan: There is no indication that this fight will be anything other than another brawl. If anything, even more so. Eubank will look to impose his size and box smartly, as he did in the first fight, while Benn spoke of fighting with “lesser emotions.” But when the bell rings, it might fall out the window.
Nick Parkinson: This time, expect a fierce fight, whether it ends in stoppages or points. Eubank deservedly won by four rounds on all three scorecards in their previous meeting and Benn must adapt if he is to avoid another repeat of being restricted by Eubank’s experience and ability. Benn will bring the same desire and ferocity he showed in the first fight, but his strategy needs to be nicer this time. Seven months ago, he convincingly won Round 3. It was the only round he won on all three official scorecards, and on Saturday his team will be looking at how to replicate that more consistently.
If Benn manages to maintain the pressure, he will prevent Eubank from getting into substantial shots and landing classic combinations. If he gets closer to the second half of the fight, or if Benn feels like he’s falling behind, we could see him take more risks this time, which will likely lead to knockdowns that we didn’t have in April.
You see some keys to this fight. Where do you think it will be won and lost?
Regan: Judging by the aftermath of the last fight, Benn should look as physical as possible against Eubank. If he’s underweight and dehydrated, how can Benn tire him out? This is where skillful emotional management and smarter boxing count. Eubank knows Benn will attack again (even if it’s subdued, but that’s his style), so it’s about using his experience and boxing IQ to avoid as much damage as possible.
Parkinson’s: Benn’s stamina and movement will be key if he can outwork Eubank and gain a points advantage in the first half of the fight. Benn needs to show more intensity and throw more punches to worry Eubank. It will aid Benn’s case if Eubank struggles to keep his weight off and arrives on the field exhausted.
Eubank claimed this was a problem seven months ago, leaving him in hospital after battling dehydration. If the 160-pound limit becomes hard for the 36-year-old again, his strength will wane in the later rounds, allowing Benn to test his way to the top with cardio. However, Eubank is technically and tactically superior, and this, along with his size advantage, gives him an advantage. Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, coach of ESPN star Terence Crawford, is backing Eubank this time around and his tactical tips could prove crucial if Benn’s pace carries him through most of the first rounds.
Benn lost last time, so the pressure is on him. What changes should he make after the first fight?
Regan: He can’t rush into round one and try to keep it up, especially if he’s behind the number of shots he took last time. At first he was looking for a robust right hand and lost control. He is entering his best years as an athlete and if he maintains his speed but is more right, attacks the body much more often and makes Eubank think he should perform better.
Parkinson’s: He has to be better in the first rounds, otherwise he will face defeat again. Eubank may start slowly and was stopped in the fourth round by Liam Smith in January 2023, so if Benn gains an early advantage it will put pressure on his English rival. But Benn failed to do so last time, losing five of the first seven rounds. According to CompuBox statistics, Benn needs to enhance his punching power after Eubank landed between 367 and 215 punches last time. If Benn can maintain his high pace and disciplined attack, he will limit the number of punches Eubank lands. Benn is good at explosive counterattacks, which can force a valuable takedown.
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The rehydration clause is controversial and even fearful. Are you surprised that he will appear in this fight?
Regan: NO. It was written in the contract. Everyone knew what they were signing up for and Eubank never asked, at least to Matchroom’s knowledge, for it to be changed. Is it perfect? NO. Is it hazardous? Potentially. But everyone knows the rules, and just as Benn doesn’t want to add any more weight, Eubank is too proud to ask for an easier way out.
Parkinson’s: There has to be a limit to how much weight you can gain between Friday’s weigh-in and fight night, because Benn has already bravely crossed two weight classes to face Eubank. Neither boxer is allowed to gain more than 10 pounds between Friday’s weigh-in and Saturday morning, which is reasonable to prevent a gigantic weight difference between rivals on fight night, as this would not only be unfavorable but also potentially hazardous to Benn.
You also hope that Eubank is not putting himself at risk by agreeing to the rehydration clause. However, if Eubank seriously thought that he would not be able to make the middleweight limit more comfortable this time, he would not have agreed to the rematch and the associated hydration clause. Eubank, who has fought at middleweight or super middleweight throughout his career, claims that this time he has become accustomed to gaining weight and will not pay another fine (he paid £350,000 after being 0.05 pounds overweight in his first fight, but was on weight on fight day).
This confidence suggests that he miscalculated the weight of the cut last time, and it wasn’t an insurmountable task. Given his experience of being admitted to hospital with dehydration after their last fight, it would be a surprise and decisive moment for the outcome of the rematch if Eubank missed weight again.
Finally, present your predictions. Who wins and how?
Regan: I think it will be closer, but Eubank’s experience should shine again. Don’t underestimate Brian McIntyre’s influence either. “BoMac” will give Eubank some tips and tricks that will change the situation. Expect Benn to be more successful, but Eubank to be back on the points.
Parkinson’s: Logic dictates that the bigger Eubank – especially after his disciplined control over Benn in the first fight, which I felt he deservedly won by four rounds – will win again. But this time Benn will be better, and Eubank may have to survive the crisis to triumph. Likewise, Benn can stay open if he feels like he needs to chase a tardy KO. If Eubank gains weight without losing weight, he will win on points or by stoppage at the end.
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