Chris Eubank Jr. appears to be facing serious issues ahead of his long-awaited clash with generational rival Conor Benn. The 35-year-old came in just 0.05lb over the 11st 6lb middleweight limit during Friday’s weigh-in for their grudge match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.

While the margin may seem minor, it poses a major problem for the Sussex native, especially given the strict rehydration clause in place. Under the terms of the agreement, both fighters are barred from weighing more than 12st on the morning of the bout—adding further pressure on Eubank Jr., who has already been fined £375,000 for the slight miss on the scales.

As tensions rise, former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez has chimed in with a blunt warning that may spell further trouble for Eubank Jr. “He will be over… Again,” Alvarez wrote on Instagram, reacting to the news. With so much at stake and time running out, all eyes will be on Eubank Jr. to see if he can make the necessary adjustments in time.

The actual weigh-in went underway behind closed doors on Friday, before the two rivals came face-to-face in Islington for their ceremonial weigh-in. “Weight has no relevance to what happens on Saturday,” Eubank said. “These things are set up to displace me and get me off track. None of it will work.”

Meanwhile, Conor Benn tipped the scales at 11st 2lb—well within the limit, despite being a natural welterweight. Notably absent from Eubank Jr.’s corner was his father, Chris Eubank Sr., who has openly voiced concerns over the weight disparity between the fighters and refused to be part of his son’s camp for this bout.

Nonetheless, both Benn and Eubank Jr. have since spoken out about the weigh-in, offering their perspectives amid the brewing tension.

Chris Eubank Jr. racks up £500,000 in fines before Conor Benn fight

Unlike Eubank’s corner, Benn was accompanied by his legendary father, Nigel Benn, and the pair flexed their muscles and roared at the crowd. Benn and Eubank will fight 32 years after their fathers met in the ring during their 1990s rivalry. “It’s an expensive price to pay, but he is disciplined and should have made the weight,” Benn said, who would likely get the fine money.

Interestingly, Eubank has now racked up over £500,000 in fines and payments to the undercard fighters before he can even step into the ring. During the build-up to the fight, Eubank smashed an egg on Benn’s face and was fined £100,000 by the BBBofC. “It is what it is. If they are going to take half a million off me for being 0.05lbs off the limit, that’s the people that [promoter] Eddie Hearn, Matchroom, and Conor Benn are,” Eubank said, reacting to the fines. 

That said, momentum may be shifting in Conor Benn’s favor ahead of Saturday night’s highly anticipated showdown. With Eubank Jr. struggling at the scales and under pressure from the rehydration clause, Benn could gain a crucial edge, especially as the naturally smaller fighter appears more comfortable within the contracted limits. Do you think the weight will give Benn an edge over Eubank Jr. during the fight?