British boxer Chris Eubank Jr is once again on a collision course with the sport's authorities, facing a potential financial penalty just days before his high-stakes rematch with Conor Benn. This comes after he publicly documented his drastic weight-cutting regimen, a move that previously landed him in hot water.
A Costly History and a Drastic Measure
The backdrop to this latest controversy is a hefty £375,000 fine Eubank Jr was forced to pay after missing the 160lbs weight limit for his first fight against Benn in April by a mere 0.05lbs. In a move that added insult to injury, Benn later revealed he purchased a Rolls Royce with the money from his rival's penalty.
Determined not to repeat this expensive mistake, Eubank Jr took extreme measures for Friday's weigh-in ahead of their Saturday night rematch. In videos posted to his social media, the 36-year-old was seen cycling while wearing a sauna suit. Another clip showed him drenched in sweat, his entire body covered in multiple non-breathable layers designed for rapid weight loss.
Eubank Jr accompanied the posts with the caption: ‘Ain’t no way I’m missing weight this time.’ His efforts proved successful; he surprisingly weighed in lighter than Benn at 159.1lbs, while his opponent registered 159.3lbs.
The BBBofC's Stance on Dangerous Practices
While the use of saunas and sauna suits is not officially banned by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), the practice is strongly discouraged. The governing body views it as an inappropriate and dangerous method for weight cutting.
This is not the first time Eubank Jr has been penalised for sharing such content. In July, he was fined a further £10,000 by the BBBofC for the ‘misuse of social media’ after posting videos of his weight-cutting process before his victory over Benn. By posting similar content on Friday, he now risks another significant fine.
BBBofC general secretary, Robert Smith, had previously outlined the Board's concerns to The Athletic. ‘Our doctors are very concerned with dehydration, so that’s what we advise everybody, all the trainers. We send out documentation in regards to it,’ Smith stated in July. He added that while the Board sends educational documentation to all licensed boxers about the dangers of rapid weight-making, they ‘can’t police everybody.’
Rehydration Clauses and Further Restrictions
Adding another layer of complexity to the bout, a rehydration clause is in place for Saturday's rematch. This clause prohibits both Eubank Jr and Benn from weighing more than 10lbs over the 160lbs limit on the morning of the fight, a measure designed to prevent extreme dehydration and subsequent rapid rehydration which can pose serious health risks.
As the fighters prepare to settle their score in the ring, Eubank Jr finds himself in a familiar position: battling not only his opponent but also the regulatory body overseeing the sport, with his social media activity once again at the centre of the storm.
