Nigel Benn disagrees with me about rehydration clause for the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn rematch

The same clause was in place for the first fight in April, when Eubank Jr. claimed a unanimous decision victory in an instant British classic at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadum.

They head back to the same venue for their highly anticipated return this weekend and the bout will be at the middleweight limit of 160lb again.

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However, after they weigh-in at that limit on the day before the contest, the fighters are not allowed to be more than 170lb at a second weigh-in on the morning of the fight.

Plenty was made about the about this issue for the first contest as Eubank Jr. was forced to pay Benn a $500,000 fine for missing the middleweight limit by less than an ounce, although he did not exceed the rehydration weight the following morning.

This again raises the question of whether rehydration clauses should be part of boxing and, in my opinion, they should not be allowed.

We know the lengths that fighters go to in shredding their bodies and making the official fight weight limit can be dangerous enough.

Once a fighter has done so, I don’t believe there should be any further restrictions on them as doing so only adds further danger to the individual – just hours before they get in the ring for battle.

While both men went to hospital after the first fight, it was Eubank Jr. who was kept in under observation for nearly 48 hours and his weight-making exploits may have played a part in that.

However, Conor’s father, Nigel, disagreed with me when he gave his opinion on the weight issue on Talksport.

He said: “Chris Eubank Jr. has been fighting at middleweight for the last five or six fights - nobody says anything. But all of a sudden, he fights Conor Benn and now [they are saying] ‘look at the hydration clause’.

“He’s always fought at middleweight! He was IBO middleweight champion of the world, so what are all the big complaints about?

“Having proper a nutritionist and a proper strength and conditioning coach – this wouldn’t all happen. Has he got the right team around him?”

Co-presenter Simon Jordan seemed to agree with those sentiments and he relayed the view of Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, who has returned as Eubank Jr.’s head coach for the rematch.

Jordan replied: “That’s what ‘Bomac’ has said.

“’Bomac’ said ‘there are no possibilities or any concerns that Chris Eubank Jr. won’t make the weight, and make it comfortably’.”

When it comes to the rehydration clause, Benn doesn’t think it is too much of a big deal either.

“You’ve got to understand that putting on 10lb for a fight – that’s a lot,” added Benn.

“I agree with that [the rehydration clause] because, at the end of the day, Conor has moved up, so that means he [Eubank Jr.] is going to be much heavier than Conor.

“So, then, I would say ‘well, no – I think that it is right’. I have still got to protect my son.”

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