British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. said he was concerned he would have to drop to 71.2 kg (157 pounds) for his fight against Conor Benn, but added that the risk for the opportunity was growing with excitement participating in the expected fight is “worth it”.
Eubank Jr. and Benn will face off at London’s O2 Arena on October 8, three decades after their famous fathers fought each other.
Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 KO’s) has fought at middleweight and super middleweight while Benn (21-0, 14 KO’s) boxes at welterweight so their meet was set at a catchweight of 157 pounds.
Earlier this week, Eubank Jr.’s father called for the fight to be stopped over weight limit concerns.
“If I went there with someone I think was a murderer, I would never do that,” Eubank Jr. told Britain’s Daily Telegraph in an interview published on Friday.
“I just don’t see that pedigree or that grade from Conor, so I’m taking the risk of cutting to a weight that I’ve never been before and I’m taking the risk of not being able to fully hydrate after the fight.
“Is it a problem? I mean I guess yeah I’ve never had to do anything like this in my career so I don’t know how my body is going to react, I don’t know how I’m going to feel at night, I know I’m not 100 percent will be.”
Eubank Jr. added he enjoys the challenge of making the weight.
“It’s going to be a tough, tough challenge to get down to that weight but it’s worth it, it’s totally worth it to have a fight like this and to be a part of a unique event,” he said.
“We’re well rewarded for this fight, so you know the rigors and difficulties that come with reaching a new weight that I’ve never been before is fair and I understand it and I’ve accepted it and I will do it.”