Our resident boxing expert Johnny Nelson previews the much anticipated showdown between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, and explains why he is favouring the outsider at 7/4.
Here we are, just over a week away from fight night; Chris Eubank Jr (4/9) vs Conor Benn (7/4)!
I’ve always said that I just can’t see this fight happening… but as it is edging ever closer I am starting to think, and believe, that we are actually going to witness it.
Tickets have been sold, the fighters are at their end of their camps and preparations are almost complete, so you’d think it has to happen now.
The one issue that I am still having real difficulty processing though is just how Chris is going to make the weight, and be healthy and mentally right in doing so.
We’ve had Chris’ dad, Eubank Sr, wanting to pull him out because he feels that fighting at the agreed weight is too dangerous. So straight away, his own father is thinking how is my son going to do this?
I personally think he is going to do it by maybe forfeiting the weight and paying the excess to come in overweight – I struggle to see how else he wins this fight.
Conor Benn is an exciting young fighter coming through, whereas Eubank Jr has been there, to the top of the game, and shown he can mix it with the best.
But the weight may well be the telling factor in this one, and if Eubank Jr does come in at the agreed weight, then for me, it will likely be to his own downfall.
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Boxing: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn - All you need to know
Almost 30 years on since the second and final bout between their two legendary fathers - Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn - their sons Chris Jr and Conor are set to rekindle this famous British rivalry at London's O2 Arena on 8th October.
Chris Eubank Jr odds on with bet365 to stop Conor Benn
Chris Eubank Jr is the clear favourite with bet365 to beat his domestic rival Conor Benn, with the bigger man also odds-on to stop Benn.
Naturally, common sense would tell you to lean with Eubank Jr in the fight, because he is bigger, more experienced and so on, but given the weight they are fighting at, I have to give the advantage to Conor.
Cutting weight at the best of times drains your body, but cutting it to this extent is going to present him with real issues, trust me, from experience I know.
If you can’t come in at the weight properly, then you can’t even tie your shoelaces, you can’t think straight or even talk straight!
Your body is all over the place, and fighting is the one sport where you have to be right on point on every aspect – mentally, physically and emotionally. If not, then you are going to suffer!
That is why I struggle to see how this fight at that weight is going to happen.
For Eubank Jr to make the weight, it is going to be incredibly difficult. I know he is posting tweets out of himself eating tiramisu and burgers and things like that, but he will feel it when he gets in the ring.
He may be ok for the first two or three rounds, but when the sweat starts to pour out and he realises he is stripped down to pure blood and stone, then he will soon find out there isn’t a lot left to give.
That will be the problem for him – the big problem!
If Chris wasn’t stripping so much, then I would absolutely back him to win the fight, but given the circumstances of this fight and the catch-weight, I have to favour Conor.
It is all very intriguing and very exciting, and thankfully, we don’t have to wait long to see how it all plays out.
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
You can view all available betting markets for the fight here.
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