Chris Eubank Jr facing investigation after epic win over Conor Benn in family grudge fight
CHRIS EUBANK JR is facing an investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control after his brutal victory over Conor Benn.
Eubank Jr claimed the win after 12 stunning rounds of boxing with a unanimous 116-112 decision from judges at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pre-fight build-up was clouded by controversy after Next Gen failed to make the 160lbs weight limit at the official weigh-in by just 0.05lbs.
The 35-year-old managed to achieve the weight but not before before having to forfeit £375,000 of his pay cheque for his original failure to comply with the agreed restrictions.
Eubank Jr shared his radical weight cutting programme ahead of the fight, including a heat suit and sauna.
However, BBBofC chief Robert Smith has suggested those weight cutting practices are prohibited.
And as a result of this apparent breach of regulations, an investigation could be launched.
Smith told Boxing Scene: “The problem arose because he was late for the weigh-in.
“If he’d have got there on time, considering he was only slightly over, he’d have made weight.
“I don’t know what they were doing.
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“But by turning up late, it meant he had very little time to get down to the contracted weight.”
Eubank Jr previously fought as high as super-middleweight but has entered the ring as a middleweight during recent bouts, while Benn moved up from welterweight for last Saturday’s clash.
Smith added: “We had no concerns. Eubank was on track to make 160lbs.
“We keep records of previous fights, and the trajectory of Eubank’s weight loss was very similar to how it’s been in the past.
“It is an ongoing matter.”
SunSport has reached out to Eubank Jr’s team for comment.
It is understood the BBCofC will request more information from Eubank’s camp in the coming weeks to help clarify the situation.
A rematch clause was inserted into the fight deal, which Benn said he wants to trigger to get “revenge” when was asked about it after his defeat.
Both stars were taken to hospital as a precaution following the event, and are even said to have been placed a few beds down from one another as they were treated.
Eubank Jr was discharged from the hospital on Monday morning after undergoing medical checks.
In a statement, he said: “Well it took nearly 3 years but we finally got the job done.
“Big shout out to everyone that supported the fight on Saturday & made it the once in a lifetime event that it was… without the fans none of this is possible, thank you.”
Benn, 28, replied by saying “Great News”, and a hand-clapping emoji.
The Destroyer has already returned to training in the ring following the defeat.
A rematch was touted for September by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh at the same venue.
He said: “If they’re not injured and ready, we want the rematch in late September at Tottenham.
“The British fans were amazing, and I thank them.”
Round by brutal round
CHRIS EUBANK JR secured the family bragging rights in his second generation grudge match against Conor Benn.
With three unanimous 116-112 verdicts, Eubank Jr prevailed in the family feud, with his dad making a return to his corner to watch it.
It lived up to the all hype – EVERY round was bloody, tasty and violent, before the more-experienced Eubank stood strong to come back into it and snatch victory.
Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg gives you the ultimate breakdown of a gripping clash between the sons of two British boxing legends.