Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn finally fight tonight in a huge London grudge match, with no further issues stemming from the much-discussed rehydration clause.
One of the biggest-hyped all-British showdowns boxing has seen in recent years is a contest more than two-and-a-half years in the making. It was originally supposed to take place in October 2022 but was cancelled at late notice after Benn failed two voluntary drug tests.
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Benn has always denied any wrongdoing after testing positive for clomifene and has since fought to clear his name, finally able to continue his stalled career in the UK in November.
Tensions with long-time foe Eubank Jr continued to simmer until confirmation in January that the duo would lock horns in April, more than 31 years after their famous fathers - Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn - contested the second of their blockbuster title fights in the 1990s.
One of British boxing’s most intense rivalries of that decade has since been passed down, with a genuine dislike having built between the pair and multiple clashes erupted between Eubank Jr and Benn, including at a chaotic press conference in February when Eubank Jr slapped his opponent with an egg during a wild face-off - a reference to the WBC’s report in 2023 that a "highly-elevated consumption of eggs" was a “reasonable explanation” for Benn’s failed tests - that ended in a brawl.
Such a headline-grabbing stunt earned Eubank Jr a hefty fine of £100,000 from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), with the pair largely and wisely kept at more of a distance in their media engagements since then in a bid to try and keep the peace.
Whereas the original bout in 2022 was going to be staged at a controversial catchweight of 157 pounds, this high-profile meeting is being fought at Eubank Jr’s home of middleweight and 160 pounds, with Benn making a huge jump up two divisions from welterweight.
There was a strict 10-pound rehydration clause once again in place that meant Eubank Jr - who has also spent time fighting up at the super-middleweight limit of 168 pounds during his career - and Benn could not weigh more than 170 pounds on the morning of the fight without incurring an enormous fine, with Eubank Jr already fined $500,000 (£375,500) after fractionally missing weight at Friday’s initial weigh-in.
Eubank Jr and Benn weighed in for a third time separately at their respective fight hotels on Saturday morning, with Eubank Jr at 169.4 pounds and Benn coming in at 165 pounds to avoid any further problems. They are now free to rehydrate and put on weight before the first bell tonight, with a row over Benn’s gloves having also erupted on another dramatic day on Friday.
Eubank Jr cutting weight and Benn moving up so far from 147 pounds has led to ongoing criticism of the spectacle from some quarters - most notably Eubank Sr, who will not be in his son’s corner on fight night with their relationship having broken down in recent years.
For Eubank Jr it’s a first outing since October and only his fourth since early 2022, having successfully avenged his shock stoppage defeat by Liam Smith with a dominant performance in September 2023 before flooring former European middleweight champion Kamil Szeremeta four times en route to a seventh-round stoppage to claim the vacant IBO title on the original Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undercard in Riyadh.
Benn, meanwhile, is fighting on UK soil for the first time since his emphatic second-round stoppage of Chris van Heerden in Manchester in April 2022, having outpointed both Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in low-key bouts in the United States in September 2023 and February 2024.
Eubank vs Benn fight date and venue
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn takes place tonight on Saturday April 26, 2025 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.
Eubank vs Benn fight time and ring walks
Saturday night’s undercard is due to begin at approximately 5pm BST, with main event ring walks expected after 10pm.
Eubank Jr vs Benn should get underway around 10:30pm, but as ever the exact timings are subject to change.
How to watch Eubank vs Benn
TV channel: In the UK, Eubank vs Benn is being shown live via DAZN pay-per-view at a cost of £19.95.
The fight is also being broadcast on Sky Sports Box Office for £19.95.
Live stream: Those who have purchased the fight via DAZN can watch online via their website and app, while those who have bought it through Sky can also access via the Sky Sports Box Office app and website.
Live blog: Follow the entire fight card tonight with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Eubank vs Benn undercard
Anthony Yarde is back in action headlining Saturday’s undercard in a third showdown with British light-heavyweight rival Lyndon Arthur, to whom he lost via split decision in 2020 before avenging that shock defeat with an early knockout 12 months later.
Liam Smith returns for the first time since his rematch loss to Eubank Jr as he takes on Ireland’s 19-0 Aaron McKenna, while Chris Billam-Smith is on the comeback trail after losing the WBO cruiserweight title to Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Riyadh in November as he battles American Brandon Glanton.
Cheavon Clarke also defends the British cruiserweight title against unbeaten challenger Viddal Riley.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur 3
Liam Smith vs Aaron McKenna
Chris Billam-Smith vs Brandon Glanton
Cheavon Clarke vs Viddal Riley
Eubank vs Benn prediction
From a purely simplistic viewpoint, it is tough to see how Benn is able to bridge the significant size difference between the rivals on Saturday night.
Jumping up two weight divisions is quite an ask at the best of times, especially against an opponent as experienced as Eubank Jr.
But Eubank Jr so often flatters to deceive even during the course of fights that he wins comfortably, frequently accused of coasting, taking rounds off and needlessly allowing his opponent a potential route back into proceedings.
After his very tough last few years and with all the emotion and bad blood in this long-running family rivalry, Benn will be absolutely desperate to put on an explosive show to put his long since stalled career firmly back on track and claim ultimate bragging rights, no doubt coming into the ring as a ball of relentless rage and energy in blistering attack mode from the off.
If he is able to get in close to Eubank Jr in a smaller 18-foot ring for sustained periods and let the venomous shots fly in bunches, he has the ability to really cause problems and hurt him, with some vicious knockouts on Benn’s record.
But providing he can sustain his focus for the full 12 rounds and box smartly to utilise his obvious advantages, we’re backing Eubank Jr to take it on the cards.
Fail to do that though and Benn is more than capable of taking the victory in some style provided the extra weight doesn’t cause him to tire quickly and his power at 147 translates up two divisions, especially given Eubank Jr’s obvious struggles with cutting weight that may have taken its toll this week.
Eubank Jr to win on points.
Eubank vs Benn weigh-in results
Eubank Jr hit the scales at 160.2 pounds after arriving an hour late for Friday’s initial behind-closed-doors weigh-in, slightly over the middleweight limit.
He was still just over at 160.05 pounds on his second and final attempt, instantly incurring a huge fine of $500,000 (£375,500) per the strict weight clause in the fight contract - and drawing a quick mocking reaction from Benn on social media.
Benn, meanwhile, was almost four full pounds under the middleweight limit at 156.4 pounds. The weights were the same at the ceremonial weigh-in on Friday night, before another on fight day morning at 8am at which neither man - who got on the scales once more separately at their respective hotels - was permitted to be over 170 pounds, with another substantial fine the penalty if they were.
Both were under at 169.4 pounds (Eubank Jr) and 165 pounds (Benn) respectively and they are now free to rehydrate and put on weight in the hours ahead of the fight itself.
Eubank vs Benn latest odds
Eubank Jr to win: 4/7
Benn to win: 7/5
Draw: 16/1
Eubank Jr to win on points or by decision: 3/1
Eubank Jr to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 6/4
Benn to win on points or by decision: 15/2
Benn to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 11/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
