Chris Eubank Jr may have walked away with a win over Conor Benn on Saturday night, but the celebration might be short-lived.
After a hard-fought 12-round bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the 35-year-old boxer now finds himself at the center of an investigation—not because of what happened in the ring, but because of how he got there.
Extreme Weight Loss Raises Red Flags
Leading up to the fight, Eubank Jr employed some controversial weight-cutting techniques, including the use of heat suits, saunas, and even a sauna body bag—devices meant to help shed water weight fast.
These methods aren’t just old-school; they’re potentially dangerous, and now the British Boxing Board of Control (BBofC) is looking into whether his practices crossed the line.
While Eubank posted clips of his prep on social media, it’s still unclear exactly when those videos were taken.
Regardless, the BBofC isn’t taking the matter lightly, especially since such rapid weight loss methods are prohibited if used close to fight time.
Cutting It Close at the Scales
Eubank Jr’s trouble started at the official weigh-in on Friday. He was fined £375,000 for missing the 160lb limit—just barely—by 0.05lb.
On fight day, he managed to meet the rehydration cap of 170lbs, but the damage, at least in terms of scrutiny, was done.
Robert Smith, head of the BBofC, confirmed that the timing of Eubank’s weigh-in—an hour after Conor Benn’s—didn’t help matters.
“If he’d arrived on time, he might’ve made weight,” Smith told BoxingScene.
“We track his weight patterns and there was nothing alarming—until he showed up late.”
Dehydration and a Gaunt Appearance Spark Concern
The images of Eubank at the weigh-in told a concerning story.
His gaunt face and exhausted look triggered alarm bells for fans and critics alike.
In one video, he could be seen wrapped in a sauna suit, dripping with sweat, and lying nearly motionless in a sauna body bag—an electrically heated device that promotes sweating without movement.
These drastic methods may have helped him slim down temporarily, but they come with real risks: dehydration, fatigue, and even heat stroke.
His Father Tried to Warn Him
Eubank Jr’s father, the legendary Chris Eubank Sr, had previously spoken out against the bout, expressing concern over the intense weight cuts and the potential danger to both fighters.
With Benn moving up in weight and Eubank cutting down drastically, Sr feared the health consequences.
Unfortunately, those concerns seemed validated when Eubank Jr had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance after the fight.
His press conference was cancelled, and though he’d pulled off a dominant win, he also walked away with a nasty cut above his right eye.
Dominant in the Ring, But Not Without Risks
Despite all the drama outside the ropes, Eubank Jr showed up in a big way on Saturday night.
He landed 152 more punches than Benn and convincingly won eight of the 12 rounds.
There was even a shaky moment in the final round when he looked spent, briefly leaning through the ropes, but he dug deep to finish strong.
Speaking after the fight, he credited the legacy of their famous fathers as part of what drove him.
“I didn’t expect it to be him who brought that out of me,” he admitted.
“But something about our history, it sparked something deeper tonight.”
Rumors and Hospital Runs
Benn later claimed he’d broken Eubank’s jaw, though there’s no official confirmation of that yet.
What is confirmed is that Eubank needed medical checks immediately after the bout, suggesting the fight—and perhaps the brutal weight cut—took a greater toll than expected.
What Comes Next?
For now, the BBofC will continue its review of Eubank’s weight-loss tactics.
If the investigation finds that he breached any rules around prohibited practices, further penalties may follow.
As for Eubank Jr, he’s likely feeling a mix of triumph and tension—he got the win he waited 30 months for, but now he may have another fight on his hands.