Pros Predict Eubank Vs. Benn 2 – ‘He’s Had Better Days’

Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn face off on November 15 in their rematch, as boxing insiders picked their winner. 

Eubank won the first fight via a unanimous decision, which was dominated by contentious weight stipulations. Eubank was required to make a difficult cut to 160 pounds, a mark he ultimately missed, and he also had to comply with a strict 10-pound rehydration limit after the weigh-in. The strain of the weight cut was so concerning that Eubank was taken to hospital after the fight due to extreme dehydration that his toe fell off. Eubank Jr. is sticking with a winning formula, once again linking up with Terence Crawford’s trainer, Brian McIntyre. 

Meanwhile, Benn has significant stakes riding on this fight. He has openly discussed his desire to return to his natural weight class—welterweight—with the ultimate goal of fighting for a world title. However, another defeat against Eubank would severely undermine those aspirations. Benn currently lacks a victory over a major name in the welterweight division.

Predictions

“I say revenge. I think Benn’s going to beat Eubank this time. The last fight was unbelievable, but fights like that take something out of you. And at Eubank’s age, it takes a little bit more out of Eubank than it does out of Benn. I fancy Conor Benn to do it, but that means he’ll [Eubank] do it again,” Carl Frampton

“I think it’s going to be a little tougher this time because I’m sure Benn, if he’s smart, he’s going to make some adjustments. And if he makes adjustments, it’s going to make it real good, fun again. I expect another brilliant fight like it was the first time. Eubank probably should win it again because of his size, but I think it’ll be a better fight than the first one,” Roy Jones Jr.

“I’ve said repeat from the minute it was made. But I think the way Benn hurt him in that fight and could hurt him again –– I think Benn might have enough in there to do it. I think Eubank’s done, and I’ve said it since he fought my brother Liam. Benn should have learned enough in the first fight to be able to do that.

“I do think Eubank might be a bit better, but I still think if you’re getting caught by Benn and hurt when you’re a big middleweight –– and you’ve been in with big middleweights and super-middleweights like [George] Groves and not been budged –– then there’s a problem. And the problem is he’s probably had better days,” Paul Smith

“I’m expecting revenge. I think both fighters put in an amazing performance. I think Junior left everything in the ring. The contractual conditions are exactly the same. I don’t see anything else being physically different.

“I thought Conor had a bit more left in the tank to give something else. I don’t want Conor to overthink it because I know he said he was emotionally invested. He needs the eye of the tiger, he needs that sting, he needs that ‘I want to smash your face in.’ But he needs to do it in a calculated way –– not be too smart and overcook it,” Johnny Nelson

“I don’t like the fact that the rehydration clause is still there. I think that’s completely wrong. If Benn really wanted his revenge, then the rehydration clause should have been taken out. The first fight was a great watch, a great spectacle –– not great in terms of actual boxing. People forget the doping scandal a bit, so I’m not a fan of it. I hope it’s the same kinda fight, only cleaner from Chris,” Michael Conlan