Chris Eubank Jr has said he “went through hell and back” before his unanimous decision defeat to Conor Benn on Saturday.
So what was wrong with the 36-year-old at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
Eubank Jr looked a shadow of his former self and was unable to handle the speed and ferocity of Benn.
After an out-of-sorts Eubank Jr twice picked himself off the canvas in round 12, he was magnanimous in defeat and reiterated the night belonged to Benn.
But speculation over the reason behind his flat display will go on.
“I've been through hell and back to make it here,” said Eubank Jr.
“I genuinely thought that regardless of the issues that I have been dealing with, I would be able to go in there and win, use my boxing skills and use what I used in the first fight to beat Conor Benn.
“From that first round, I realised that I was mistaken, but it's OK. I'm a fighter and this is what I do. Regardless of the dangers and the risk, we go to war and that's what we do.
“I tried my best. Conor Benn put on a hell of a fight, he had a great performance and did everything that was asked of him. I congratulate him for his performance."
Eubank Jr has fought most of his recent career at middleweight but was restricted by a rehydration clause on fight day that prevented him from putting more than 10lbs.
Lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson said Eubank was clearly “weight drained”.
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya said on social media: “Let me give you a little tutorial on boxing. Eubank never had a chance due to weight drain.”
Eubank Jr refused to rule out retirement and DAZN pundit Barry Jones is among those who feel he should hang up the gloves.
"I do think it should be the end for Chris," said Jones on DAZN.
“It was evident from round one that he was flat. It could be weight or it could be wear and tear, I think it's the latter.
“We should give all the credit to Conor Benn, but there were opportunities for Chris to pull the trigger.
“He didn't throw his punches from round one. He was quite lethargic.”
Fellow DAZN pundit Carl Frampton said: “It was a great performance from Conor, but this might be the time to call it a day for Chris I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm just being honest.”
Tony Bellew said: “He was out jabbed, outworked and bullied.
“All of the good things came good to Conor Benn. That was the difference. Benn used the speed and size to his advantage. [Eubank] couldn't deal with Conor Benn.
“As convincing and one-sided a win as you'll ever see in boxing.”
