Despite the controversies, or perhaps because of them, Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn promises to be an unforgettable clash
The blend of legacy, pride, and real animosity between the fighters ensures fireworks in the ring. The gloves saga, while frustrating, has only heightened anticipation.
When the first bell rings on April 26, all disputes will be left outside the ropes. It will come down to two men, two family dynasties, and one defining night.
Finally, it’s worth considering whether Hearn’s public criticism of Eubank’s team is purely frustration — or if it’s part of a broader promotional strategy.
By casting doubt on Eubank’s preparation, Hearn is subtly positioning Conor Benn as the more disciplined and dangerous fighter.
In a sport where selling a fight is almost as important as winning it, Hearn’s comments might serve dual purposes: rallying support for Benn and undermining Eubank’s aura of invincibility.
It’s a classic move from one of boxing’s shrewdest minds — and only time will tell if it pays off inside the ring.
Also Read:Â Chris Eubank Jr. Blasts 50/50 Splits for Dopers in Conor Benn Talks
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Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn: Gloves Controversy
A Clash Years in the Making
The April 26 clash between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn has been one of the most anticipated matchups in recent British boxing history.1
The sons of two legendary rivals, Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, were always destined to cross paths. Both fighters bring pride, legacy, and ambition into the ring, with fans eager to see which family name will rise on fight night.
However, the excitement surrounding this historic bout has been overshadowed by a series of dramas, culminating in a heated dispute over the gloves Conor Benn plans to wear.
Weight Woes: A Close Call for Eubank Jr.
Tensions began to bubble earlier in the week when Chris Eubank Jr. narrowly missed the 160-pound weight limit by an agonizing 0.05 pounds. Although a minuscule amount, the miss stirred concern among pundits and fans alike.
Some questioned whether Eubank Jr.’s discipline was wavering, while others speculated that the psychological pressure of the fight was beginning to show.
Eubank Jr., however, remained defiant, brushing off the miss as insignificant and promising that it would have no bearing on the outcome of the fight.
Fight day weigh-in complete. Rehydration restriction is over. Now all that’s left to do is rock up to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight & make history #EubankBenn pic.twitter.com/Nmt3hawDle
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) April 26, 2025
The Glove Dispute Erupts
Just as the weight scare was beginning to fade from headlines, a new controversy exploded. It was revealed that Conor Benn intended to use gloves filled with horse-hair — a material that, while traditional, has sparked significant safety concerns in recent years.
Ben Shalom, the promoter representing Eubank Jr., was quick to voice his opposition. In a fiery interview with iFL TV, Shalom claimed:
“We’ve got a contract, there’s no horse-hair gloves. They’re dangerous gloves. He cannot wear those gloves.”
According to Shalom, the fight contract specifically prohibited the use of horse-hair gloves to mitigate unnecessary risk.
Chris Eubank Jr: Matchroom Boxing’s Defense
Frank Smith, CEO of Matchroom Boxing and a key figure behind Conor Benn, pushed back against Shalom’s accusations.2
Smith stated that the contract merely required gloves to be approved by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), which Benn’s gloves were. Thus, from Matchroom’s standpoint, Benn was in full compliance.
The disagreement highlighted a critical ambiguity in the contract: was the BBBoC’s approval the ultimate standard, or did the contract’s “no horse-hair” stipulation carry separate authority? Both camps insisted they were right, setting the stage for heated behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Understanding the Horse-Hair Glove Debate
The controversy surrounding horse-hair gloves is not new in boxing circles. Traditionally, gloves were filled with horse-hair, offering a “puncher’s glove” feel — firmer and more direct impact compared to foam-padded alternatives.
Over time, concerns grew that horse-hair gloves wore down faster during a fight, potentially exposing opponents to harder, less protected shots.
Modern gloves predominantly use foam padding to ensure a more uniform layer of protection throughout the bout.
Critics of horse-hair gloves argue that they present unnecessary risks, especially as the fight wears on and the padding compresses. For Eubank Jr.’s camp, the prohibition on horse-hair gloves was a matter of fighter safety.
Was the Fight Ever in Jeopardy?
Despite the fiery rhetoric and public posturing, Ben Shalom confirmed that the fight was never truly at risk of cancellation. However, he emphasized the seriousness of the dispute, noting:
“It’s not been resolved as far as I understand… The fight is not in jeopardy, but it was contracted for a reason, because it’s dangerous.”
This left fans wondering: would a last-minute compromise be found, or would one fighter be forced to adjust in the eleventh hour?
Psychological Warfare or Genuine Concern?
- Some analysts have speculated that the gloves dispute may be part of a broader psychological war.
- In a matchup already loaded with personal and familial history, every advantage counts.
- Raising objections about gloves could be seen as a way for Eubank Jr.’s camp to disrupt Benn’s preparations and sow uncertainty.
- On the other hand, given the inherent dangers of boxing, the safety argument holds serious weight.
- The BBBoC found itself at the center of the storm, having approved the gloves in question. Their approval process is based on extensive testing and compliance with safety regulations.
- However, their endorsement does not override contractual agreements made between fighters’ camps. This created a legal gray area where the Board’s authority clashed with the specific terms negotiated for the fight.
- Observers have called for greater standardization and clarity in boxing contracts, to avoid similar issues in the future. With so much at stake financially and physically, ambiguity can be a recipe for disaster.
Chris Eubank Jr: Historical Echoes
The Eubank Jr.-Benn gloves debacle is far from the first time gloves have played a controversial role in boxing.3
In 1983, Luis Resto’s infamous glove tampering scandal — where padding was illegally removed — rocked the sport and led to lifetime bans.
More recently, disputes over glove brands, sizes, and materials have frequently threatened to derail major fights.
These incidents underscore the importance of clear, enforceable standards and the need for mutual trust — rare commodities in the high-stakes world of prizefighting.
What’s Next: Will Cooler Heads Prevail?
As fight night looms, both camps are under immense pressure to find a resolution. One likely outcome is that Conor Benn may agree to switch to foam-only gloves under protest, rather than risk further escalating the dispute.
Alternatively, Eubank Jr.’s team might be persuaded to allow the horse-hair gloves to stand, especially if additional inspections and assurances are provided.
Regardless of the resolution, the gloves drama has added another layer of intrigue to an already emotionally charged contest.
Fans will now tune in with even keener eyes, scrutinizing every punch and wondering: did the gloves play a role?
Also Read:Â Frank Warren’s Respond on Chris Eubank Jr. Apologizes for Harsh Comments Made at Press Conference
Eddie Hearn Blames Chris Eubank Jr.’s Weight-Miss on ‘NextGen’ Team
Boxing fans were shocked when news broke that Chris Eubank Jr., a seasoned fighter known for his professionalism, missed weight ahead of his much-anticipated bout with Conor Benn.
Scheduled to take place at the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, this event was already brimming with tension and excitement.
But the weigh-in mishap threw a major wrench into the narrative, raising eyebrows and sparking debate across the boxing community.
This was the first time in Eubank Jr.’s career that he failed to meet a weight requirement — an uncharacteristic blemish for the man nicknamed “NextGen.”
For many, it was a sign of something deeper amiss behind the scenes, and Eddie Hearn, the outspoken chairman of Matchroom Boxing and promoter for Conor Benn, wasted no time weighing in.
Eddie Hearn Points Fingers
During a candid interview with Seconds Out, Hearn didn’t hold back. According to him, the fault lies squarely with the team surrounding Chris Eubank Jr. He emphasized that if Eubank had been under his promotional banner, things would have unfolded very differently.
“I don’t feel like the people [Eubank Jr.] had around him at the time were actually telling him to do the right things,” Hearn said bluntly. “I don’t want to sound like an arrogant p**ck, which I probably do quite a lot, but I could have got him to make weight.”
This wasn’t just typical promoter bravado. Hearn’s comments reflect a real frustration with how the situation was handled and suggest a major breakdown in Eubank Jr.’s camp’s strategic planning.
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The Art of Making Weight
In boxing, making weight is a crucial — and often grueling — part of a fighter’s preparation. It’s about precision, discipline, and science.
Fighters often work with specialized nutritionists, conditioning coaches, and sometimes even psychologists to ensure they can safely drop to their target weight without sacrificing performance.
Given that Eubank Jr. had a flawless track record of hitting weight limits in the past, this miss was perplexing.
Hearn’s sharp critique implied that Eubank’s camp either underestimated the challenge or failed to adjust properly as the deadline approached.
“But they f**ked around and they wasted time and then they left it too late,” Hearn continued. “Then they took half an ounce off, it was pretty easy to do.”
His choice of words painted a vivid picture: a camp riddled with disorganization and missteps at the most critical moment.
Confidence or Carelessness?
Some analysts suggest that perhaps Eubank Jr.’s team fell victim to overconfidence. After all, Eubank is known for his exceptional athleticism and conditioning. Perhaps his handlers assumed he would be able to easily shed the final pounds without too much strain.
However, in elite-level boxing, especially for a fight of this magnitude, no detail can be left to chance. Missing weight not only risks the health and readiness of a fighter but also casts a shadow over the legitimacy of the bout itself.
In Eubank’s case, it also handed a major psychological advantage to Benn, who appeared to handle the situation with composure and professionalism.
Implications for Chris Eubank Jr.’s Brand
Missing weight is not just a physical issue — it’s a branding issue. Chris Eubank Jr. has spent years crafting an image as a consummate professional, someone who shows up prepared and ready to perform.
This stumble could tarnish that image, at least temporarily.
Moreover, it leaves fans wondering about the internal workings of his camp. Was there a lack of communication? Poor planning? Or deeper problems that have yet to surface?
In a sport where perception is everything, even a small misstep can have outsized consequences.
Despite the weigh-in drama, the fight between Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn is still set to move forward, though with some additional scrutiny.
There may be contractual penalties for missing weight, and there’s no doubt that the media narrative will now include questions about Eubank’s preparation and discipline.
Conor Benn, meanwhile, looks like the ultimate professional in contrast. By making weight without issue, Benn has already scored a psychological victory. In a sport as mentally demanding as boxing, that edge can prove decisive when the bell rings.
Lessons for Fighters and Their Teams
- The Eubank Jr. weight miss serves as a cautionary tale for fighters everywhere.
- No matter how talented or experienced you are, surrounding yourself with the right team is essential.
- Fighters must trust their team to give them honest feedback, manage their schedule properly, and ensure that nothing is left to chance.e and make some necessary changes.
- If he hopes to maintain his standing in the sport and continue securing big-money fights, he’ll need to ensure that mistakes like this never happen again.
- Publicly, Eubank has been characteristi
- As Hearn’s comments suggest, a fighter’s success is not just about what happens in the ring — it’s also about the planning, strategy, and professionalism that happen months before the first punch is thrown.
- For Eubank Jr., this moment represents a crossroads. He can either brush off the criticism and move forward, or he can take a hard look at his inner circlcally defiant, but one wonders if privately he recognizes the need for better support and planning.
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