Exclusive: Eubank Jr Risked Coma After Benn Bout as Rematch Remains Uncertain Without Weight Clause Change

One of the biggest obstacles standing between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr and a rematch later this year has been laid bare, after the extent of the latter’s medical difficulties following their fight last month were laid bare.

Despite securing a convincing points decision over Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Eubank Jr was admitted to hospital after leaving the ring having struggled to make weight beforehand.

And a number of sources with knowledge of the situation have told SportsBoom that the 35-year-old dehydration was so severe, doctors told his family that he could have slipped into a coma had treatment not been administered.

Eubank Jr, the son of former world middleweight and super-middleweight champion Chris, agreed to face Benn in the 160lb division when the bout was originally made; ignoring advice that shedding too many pounds would have a debilitating effect upon his body. 

Although he failed to scale inside that a day before their clash - which led to him being fined a portion of his reputed £10m purse - Eubank Jr was below the 170lb rehydration clause negotiated by promoters Eddie Hearn and Ben Shalom a day later.

VISIBLY IMPAIRED

However, the toll adhering to that stipulation had taken became clear by the halfway stage of his contest against Benn with the Brighton man’s movement and power becoming visibly impaired.

Even more so when, although it was not revealed publicly at the time, medics diagnosed such severe hydration that its next phase, had they not intervened, was a loss of consciousness.

All of the major players involved in negotiating the deal which saw the pair finally face-off following years of acrimony and controversy acknowledged that they were obliged to meet again - potentially before Christmas - irrespective of the result.

But the possible consequences for Eubank Jr, unless the weight limit is adjusted, are so ominous that many senior figures within boxing are advising them to pursue other admittedly less lucrative opportunities.

Perhaps in a sign he recognises the wisdom of their words, Benn has spoken about returning to welterweight.

Eubank Jr, meanwhile, maintains he deserves a shot at Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who locks horns with Terrance Crawford over the Autumn.

Benn’s father Nigel and Eubank Sr were rivals on both the domestic and world stages through the early and mid-Nineties. 

The latter claimed the WBO middleweight title by beating Nigel before the pair later shared a split draw.

CONTROVERSIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Eubank Jr and Benn were originally scheduled to meet in 2022, before the event was cancelled in controversial circumstances. 

Much to Eubank Jr’s anger and frustration, it emerged that Benn had tested positive for clomiphene.

However, after a protracted legal battle, Benn was once again allowed to fight.

Despite his protestations of innocence, Eubank Jr infamously cracked an egg across Benn’s face at a media conference called to announce their April 26th match-up. 

It was a reference to the fact that one of the sanctioning bodies, the WBC, suggested that the drug could have entered Benn’s system because he had consumed eggs - which can contain traces of clomiphene in some parts of the world.